Environmental Compliance Inspector

Work as a strategic environmental compliance inspector with an interdisciplinary team to provide environmental inspection management, planning, guidance, and technical assistance for transportation projects, and administer and implement the Environmental Commitments and Compliance program for the district or region (as necessary). Monitor construction and maintenance (as requested) projects and advise personnel on proper implementation of the following - water quality permit conditions, environmental document commitments, other state and federal environmental commitments, laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and environmental-related VDOT Road and Bridge Specifications. Provide expert environmental technical advice and guidance to construction and maintenance personnel. Anticipate and identify potential environmental issues, and develop and propose options to avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts.

How you will contribute:

Act as Environmental Representative and Liaison: Act as a liaison between construction staff, residency staff, district staff, state and federal regulatory agency staff, NPDES coordinators, and the District Environmental Manager. Represent the Environmental section at various meetings, including project showings, preconstruction meetings and conferences, project progress meetings, workshops, training sessions, etc. Confirm that contractors, construction inspectors, construction and project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders have a complete and accurate set of environmental commitments. Coordinate initial and follow-up meetings with applicable stakeholders when the evaluation of compliance assistance on an active project shows environmental commitments are being implemented in an inconsistent manner. Support the facility compliance program, and the identification and implementation of MS4 TMDL projects. Assist with IDDE program, as needed.

Coordinate and conduct project monitoring and tracking: Review proposed instream work plans and support facility submittals (e.g. staging areas) to evaluate consistency with environmental commitments. Recommend the need for additional measures to achieve compliance with commitments. Inspect and monitor all phases of projects within established frequencies to evaluate how environmental commitments are being implemented and managed. Conduct and document all inspections of commitments in accordance with the ECI Guidance Manual and applicable VDOT governance documents. Serve as the DEM’s project representative and relay pertinent information such as changes to project plans impacting scope, schedule, or project compliance, and any inconsistencies found, and recommend appropriate action. Notify DEM of visits (planned or unplanned) by regulatory or resource agencies. Communicate findings with construction staff while on-site and recommend necessary steps to remedy non-compliant findings.

Organize and implement the Environmental Commitments and Compliance Assistance Program for the district or region: Provide expert technical assistance, advice, and guidance on proper implementation of and compliance with the following - water-quality permit conditions; environmental document commitments; cultural resources commitments; hazardous materials commitments; threatened and endangered species commitments; other state and federal environmental commitments, laws, regulations, guidelines, and policies; VDOT Road and Bridge Specifications; and VDOT standards. Fulfill ECI duties outside the home district as warranted, based on program needs. Assist with ECI program training and outreach efforts. Follow established program reporting protocols related to non-compliance findings and issues.

Project Management: Analyze projects and identify environmental compliance concerns, constraints, and requirements associated with project development, construction, and future maintenance activities. Identify and help solve environmental, design, and constructability issues. Propose recommendations and assist in the development of design options, alternatives, and special provisions to be used to avoid or minimize impacts. Review bid proposals and contracts to confirm all environmental commitments identified in documents and clearances are included. Confirm all commitments are properly identified and documented in the tracking system’s commitments component. Prepare accurate and clear environmental preconstruction handouts conveying all compliance requirements. Assist staff with any required water quality permit modifications and any additional coordination required for T-E species, cultural resources, hazmat, and other commitments coordination for projects under construction.

What will make you successful:

Ability to adhere to VDOT safety policies and procedures.

Ability to analyze, problem solve on demand, and determine sound, economical alternatives and design resolutions (from environmental and engineering angles) as environmental concerns are identified.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences, and to make presentations and conduct meetings.

Ability to plan, organize, and work on multiple tasks concurrently.

Ability to read, interpret, and apply environmental laws and regulations to transportation projects.

Knowledge of VDOT Standards and Road and Bridge Specifications.

Knowledge of and ability to comprehend and apply basic principles and requirements of transportation disciplines to develop recommendations with consideration for consequences to affected disciplines.

Knowledge of construction techniques, and the ability to read and interpret roadway plans.

Knowledge of federal and state environmental laws and regulations including T and E species, cultural resources, NEPA, Hazmat, and pollution prevention, and the water-quality permitting process.

Knowledge of inspection techniques and practices.

Skill in the use of computers and the ability to learn various VDOT software applications.

Solid interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

Ability to review, critique, interpret plans, contracts, special provisions, and specifications.

Considerable knowledge of federal, state, local transportation, environmental rules, regulations, policies, and practices.

Experience in Waters of the U.S. delineation and permitting.

Experience interpreting, implementing the requirements of threatened and endangered species regulations.

Experience working with project proponents to avoid, minimize, and mitigate environmental impacts.

Skill in project management, workload planning, scheduling, technical data interpretation, tracking, including gathering and analyzing data to make environmental recommendations.

Skill in the use of computers and software applications.

Training or experience in environmental monitoring and inspection of construction activities, including providing recommendations to evaluate environmental compliance.

VA DEQ Erosion and Sediment Control Inspector and Stormwater Management Control Inspector certifications or ability to obtain within one year of employment.

Valid driver's license.

Additional Considerations:

A DEQ Combined Administrator certification.

A combination of training, experience, or education in Environmental Studies, Sciences, or related field desired.

DEQ: Inspector for Erosion Sediment Control (ESC IN)

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER)

Intermediate Work Zone Traffic Control Safety

Progressively responsible experience managing complex projects in the transportation or construction industry.

Click below to learn more about the Competency Model associated with this Position:
Competency Model

Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements

VDOT employees must abide by VDOTs Code of Ethics and the Commonwealths Standards of Conduct.
VDOT Code of Ethics
Standards of Conduct
Physical Requirements
Physical Requirements

Minimum Salary: 65198.00

Maximum Salary: 105946.00