The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) is a political subdivision established by Chapter 1230 of the 2020 Acts of Assembly. VPRA is responsible for promoting, sustaining, and expanding the availability of passenger and commuter rail services in the Commonwealth, including all administrative and fiduciary responsibilities for Virginia's state-supported passenger rail services. The VPRA also funds Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and administers all capital expansion projects, infrastructure, and land acquisitions related to the $3.7 billion Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative, which will double Amtrak and VRE service in Virginia over the next decade. The VPRA acts as a "responsible public entity" for acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining, or operating a "qualifying transportation facility" under the Public Private Partnership Act of 1995.
VPRA is searching for an
Environmental Compliance Manager, a key role within the Engineering & Construction team. This position will be responsible for managing VPRA's Erosion and Sediment Control (ESC) Program, Stormwater Management (SWM) Program and ensuring compliance with overseeing the execution of all environmental commitments and permitting for passenger rail expansion and enhancement initiatives throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Transforming Rail in Virginia program of rail infrastructure projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. This person will report to the AVP of Engineering & Construction and work with other environmental compliance inspectors, environmental compliance managers, contractors, other consultants, regulatory agencies, and owners in their day-to-day activities. May also assist with other projects, including wetland delineations, wetland permitting, wetland and stream mitigation design, natural resource planning, fish and wildlife studies, rare, threatened, and endangered species coordination, shoreline restoration, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/Environmental Impact Report (EIR) documentation, and related activities.
As a member of the Engineering & Construction team, the Environmental Compliance Manager will:
- Maintain Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) certification as a Dual Combined ESC and SWM Administrator, including all re-certification and continuing education requirements.
- Oversee ESC and SWM activities for rail construction projects.
- Review and approve ESC and SWM plans.
- Conduct and review wetland delineations for rail and station construction projects.
- Review joint federal-state permit applications for compliance with NEPA commitments and construction plans.
- Ensure wetland permit conditions are communicated to construction contractors and implemented during construction.
- Conduct on-site inspections and document environmental compliance with plans, permits, and environmental commitments
- Provide training on ESC and SWM best practices for engineering staff.
- Maintain accurate records and submit required reports to regulatory agencies.
- Prepare permit applications for submission to state and federal agencies.
- Employ an understanding of rail and transit operations, including the environmental review process, to develop solutions with the support of the Director of Planning.
- Ensure that all project deliverables are complete and coordinated through quality reviews in compliance with the approved VPRA Design Quality Plan.
- Support VPRA's Mission and the Commonwealth via our Transforming Rail in Virginia.
- Review, monitor, and understand architectural design and operational information and present and review this information with staff, management, and clients.
- Occasional statewide travel may be required.
Education and ExperienceRequired Education:- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited college.
Preferred Education:
- Virginia Professional Engineer (PE) license or eligibility to obtain Virginia PE.
- Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) certification.
Required Experience:- Virginia DEQ Certified Dual Combined Administrator (ESC and SWM) (or the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of employment).
- 5-10 years of experience with ESC and SWM, including plan review and inspections of multi-million-dollar infrastructure Projects in the Transportation industry, preferably Rail Transit, Rail Freight, or Passenger Rail.
- Experience with environmental compliance for passenger rail projects and familiarity with railroad engineering principles related to track and station elements.
- Experience with Clean Water Act Section 404 and 401 permitting.
- Experience managing contractors from procurement through contract close-out.
- Understanding of civil/structural engineering principles and construction practices and experience applying those principles and practices in large, complex Projects
- Ability to read, interpret, and understand engineering drawings and specifications, including geotechnical, grading/drainage, trackwork, structures, electrical, signalization, stormwater management, and sediment/erosion control.
- Ability to perform independent, detailed reviews of technical and engineering documents, including plans, specifications, submittals, schedules, budgets, contract documents, and official correspondence; and responding to same as appropriate.
- Ability to conduct independent research into engineering-related matters, prepare reports, present findings, and make recommendations.
- Ability to provide compliance support on several projects simultaneously.
- Ability to develop and work collaboratively with a project team and gain consensus amongst various stakeholders to achieve stated program and project goals and objectives.
- Must be able to traverse steep, uneven terrain safely.
- Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather, including rain, cold and hot weather, and generally variable conditions.
- Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, MS Project, and other project management software and systems.
- Ability to communicate verbally effectively, efficiently, and in writing to support board meetings and internal management requirements.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local transportation policies, funding, and legislative and regulatory requirements related to freight and rail Projects.
Preferred Experience:
- Specific local knowledge of the Virginia agencies and geographic regions.
- Specialized knowledge or project development experience with passenger and freight rail projects.
Are you interested in this position, but you don't meet every single requirement? At VPRA, we are dedicated to building a talented team and an inclusive, authentic workplace. So, if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for this or other positions.
Applicants must fully and accurately represent their qualifications and work history on the application or resume. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information in the application, resume, or other relevant documents; therefore, applicants must supply detailed information. Submitting an incomplete application/resume or an application/resume lacking in detail may impact your interview eligibility. This website will confirm receipt when the application is submitted successfully. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. VETERANS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AMERICORPS, PEACE CORPS, AND OTHER NATIONAL SERVICE ALUMNI ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Equal Opportunity Employer
