Title: Highway Noise Specialist Sr

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist II

Hiring Range: $74,386 - $120,877

Pay Band: 5

Agency: VA Dept of Transportation

Location: Hospital Building

Agency Website: www.virginiadot.org/jobs

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

What drives you? Whether it's knowing the work you do makes a difference, having a great work/life balance, working on exciting and challenging projects, leading innovation and championing change or simply working with a great group of people who are committed to professionalism. At the Virginia Department of Transportation, we have something for you.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is in need of a Highway Noise Specialist Sr who has expertise in mitigating noise pollution from vehicles on roadways, typically through noise barrier design, noise modeling, and environmental impact studies. This position will perform value based acoustical engineering sound barrier designs, plan and perform noise impact studies, coordinate and resolve complex acoustical engineering issues, manage consultant work orders, and ensure the transportation construction program complies with federal regulations and state noise abatement guidance.

This challenging and rewarding position’s specific responsibilities and duties will include, but aren't limited to:

Acoustical engineering design of sound barriers

• Perform noise impact studies for transportation projects using approved noise prediction models, engineering design standards, technologies and acoustical engineering principles to meet established road design schedules.
• Integrate road design plans, traffic and other critical inputs into the federally approved noise modeling software using MicroStation, CADD, ArcGIS Pro and other engineering design software to perform noise studies and design acoustical engineering plans for sound walls.
• Review and modify noise barrier walls for compliance with standards and specifications.
• Obtain final design approval through the Chief Engineer.
• Participate in Noise Program QAQC engineering plan review process by checking designs, making own design available for review and checking engineering shop.
• Review consultant scopes of work, cost estimates and perform technical accuracy reviews.

Training

• Participate in program planning, training and technology transfer activities.
• Participate, plan and develop training for assigned programs, including providing technical guidance and training.
• Use engineering knowledge, project management training, Value Engineering and other training to recommend solution-oriented ideas to improve program processes.
• Participate in program planning related to workload, budget and research opportunities.

Collaboration with external and internal stakeholders

• Coordinate with section staff, districts and other VDOT stakeholders on the review of consultant contracts, noise studies and abatement designs to facilitate projects meeting on-time, on-budget goals.
• Scope Noise Type I projects and provide cost estimates and barrier candidate locations to districts through proper use of IPM, CEDAR, email and other electronic technologies to communicate and document project status.
• Critically review consultant scope of work; disseminate planning data and VDOT noise guidance and coordinate consultant activities to ensure timely deliverables.
• Review technical reports and acoustical engineering designs for accuracy and compliance to federal and state noise policy and internal QAQC procedures.


Program Assessment and Guidance

• Provide guidance, support, and assistance for assigned program area(s) and communicate with appropriate stakeholders.
• Determine process improvements and policy changes or impacts, update the
appropriate documentation and communicate changes.
• Monitor compliance to determine areas of improvement needed.

Communication

• Represent VDOT in interactions with public, federal, state and local agencies to fulfill program commitments.
• Attend public hearings, citizen informational meetings, field inspections, citizen informational meetings and provide technical guidance to districts, as needed.
• Clearly communicate regulations related to assigned program area(s), policies, and science.
• Provide expert testimony and assistance to the attorney general related to litigation of transportation projects.
• Prepare technical briefings and position papers on complex, sensitive issues and provide expert advice on assigned program area designs that may have significant implications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience reflecting the ability to manage complex noise projects.
• Ability to develop and manage project schedules and budgets.
• Broad knowledge of transportation noise science and regulations.
• Knowledge of highway engineering design principles.
• Contract management skills.
• Skilled in computers to include ability to use ArcGIS Pro, MicroStation, CADD and other engineering technologies in the design of noise mitigation measures.
• Able to work as a team member and, or leader of inter-disciplinary teams under the pressure of deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively to include preparing, delivering presentations conveying technical reports to elected officials, agency heads and executives.
• Ability to coordinate complex projects with federal, state, local agencies and general public.
• Knowledge of acoustics fundamentals and the ability to apply knowledge of complex acoustical engineering models.
• Ability to apply knowledge of and ability to interpret state and federal environmental laws, regulations, policies, programs, and procedures related to noise science and acoustical issues.

Additional Considerations

• Experience in professional level environmental noise programs with a focus on being a part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Project management experience in the application of advanced and complex technical and scientific environmental principles and practices.
• Progressively responsible experience in professional level environmental programs involving acoustical related and noise impact studies responsibilities.
• A combination of training, experience or education in Engineering, Physics or related field desired.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth telework policy.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) official certified company and state agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and Members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

VDOT utilizes a market-based pay program, which has been approved by DHRM. Therefore, advertised rates of pay may or may not align with the Commonwealth pay bands.

Additional positions may be filled from this recruitment within 90 days.

VDOT is an emergency operation agency. Positions physically working within Central Office locations may be designated upon request and coordination among the respective District Engineer or Administrator and Chief. Assignments are updated annually. Not all designated employees are provided an emergency operations assignment.

This position requires a fingerprint based Criminal History Background Check, DMV Record Check and Work History Verification with references.

Contact Information

Name: Audrey Phillips

Phone: 804-837-4748

Email: audrey.phillips@vdot.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.