Coastal Engineering Specialist

VHB•Providence, RI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

VHB is seeking a Mid-Senior Coastal Engineering Specialist to join its New England team. The role supports planning and design for waterfront and coastal structure projects, including living shoreline stabilization, revetments, dredging, marinas, marine terminals, urban waterfront developments, and wetland restoration. The specialist will contribute to a multidisciplinary practice addressing coastal management challenges through coastal engineering, flood-risk analysis, resilience and adaptation design, and dredged-material management. The position includes technical analysis and design, permitting, project management, business development support, proposal development, quality control, and coordination with clients, sub-consultants, and team members. The position is located in Rhode Island and offers a flexible, hybrid work environment. The full-time annual base salary range is $110,000 to $125,000; eligible employees may also receive incentive compensation, spot bonuses, and merit-based salary increases. VHB describes a comprehensive benefits package and a collaborative, inclusive, technology-empowered culture with learning and development opportunities.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Coastal Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Oceanography, or a related field.
At least 5 years of experience in Coastal / Ocean Engineering.
Knowledge of regulatory processes in New England.
Experience with project delivery for multiple federal, state, and local coastal agencies or clients.
Experience designing and permitting a variety of coastal projects.
Experience working on multidisciplinary teams supporting coastal management, restoration, resilience, and adaptation efforts.
Knowledge of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and experience implementing FEMA coastal flood hazard analysis and mapping methodologies.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated technical and analytical skills, including technical writing and presentation skills.
Familiarity with industry-standard analysis and design software.
Team-oriented, with the ability to work independently.
Highly organized, with the ability to interpret and apply technical information in procedures and manuals to assigned project design work.

Nice To Haves

Experience with USACE, FEMA, USGS, and NOAA.
A master’s degree in a related field may substitute for 2 years of experience.

Responsibilities

Support the Coastal / Water Resources practice through client contacts and business development efforts with state and federal agencies and private-sector clients.
Assist in developing qualifications and proposals for coastal resilience and coastal infrastructure-related RFPs.
Assist with and ultimately manage and perform engineering analysis, preliminary design, and detailed design of coastal structures.
Assist with and ultimately manage project scope, budget, and schedule; coordinate sub-consultants and team members; and ensure quality control throughout project execution.
Design and permit waterfront developments, including piers, marinas, and boardwalks.
Analyze and design flood- and erosion-control structures, including seawalls, bulkheads, revetments, breakwaters, wave fences, and fendering, as well as waterfront recreation structures such as fishing piers, marina docking structures, and boat launch ramps.
Contribute to living shoreline erosion-solution designs.
Conduct and review technical analyses and calculations.
Complete mooring and berthing analyses and design.
Perform dredging design and permitting.
Prepare project specifications, bid documents, and contract documents.
Perform construction contract administration, site inspections, and reporting.
Work on multidisciplinary teams involving surveyors, environmental scientists, structural engineers, civil engineers, landscape architects, and planners.
Apply FEMA National Flood Insurance Program knowledge and coastal flood hazard analysis and mapping methodologies.