Civil/Environmental Engineer - Allentown, United States - Lehigh Valley Planning Commission

Description

Civil/Environmental Engineer

Founded in 1961, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) serves as the official regional planning entity for the Lehigh Valley. The LVPC reviews all subdivision, land development and stormwater activity, municipal land use ordinances, and comprehensive plans on behalf of Lehigh and Northampton Counties. In addition, to these responsibilities, the LVPC sets the development direction for region, from housing to businesses and infrastructure to schools. The organization is a resource to municipal government, developers, bankers, realtors, school boards, citizens and beyond, through research and publication of Lehigh Valley studies and reports from employment projections to the Regional Housing Plan. Lastly, the Commission oversees the administrative functions of the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, who plan for and invest over $4.28 billion in the region's roads, bridges, transit, walking and rolling infrastructure. These comprehensive planning activities are critical to the responsible and sustainable growth and management of the Lehigh Valley's built and natural environments.

Position Summary

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) is growing environmental engineering and planning, capacity, and capabilities of our team. Specifically, LVPC is seeking an individual with interest in participating in stormwater management, and watershed-based, green-gray infrastructure, sustainability, resiliency, climate action and greenways-blueways planning efforts. The successful candidate must be innovative, and possess:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Creative thinking, positive attitude
• Passion for results and a bias for action
• Strong commitment to public service and community improvement
• Team orientation and personal accountability

The Civil/Environmental Engineer will perform professional engineering work to plan, coordinate and implement the LVPC's stormwater management program and to support and grow the region's leadership in watershed planning, green infrastructure, parks, recreation, farmland preservation, walking and rolling, climate action, and greenways-blueways initiatives, and environmental design generally through sustainable engineering practices. Accountable for planning, development, and management of projects in compliance with all applicable city/state/federal codes and regulations, and according to all acceptable engineering practices, this position works under the supervision of the Director of Environmental Planning.

Job Details

• Coordinate, review and approve stormwater infrastructure design plans, ensuring work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Analyze and develops policies, rules and regulations for stormwater management and environmental design, with a strong focus of green infrastructure, hazard mitigation and resiliency.
• Maintain engineering standards and implement procedures for maintenance of water resources, parks, recreation, farmland and other environmental maps and complex databases.
• Create model design practices for water and other environmental resources related to transportation, climate resiliency and civil/design projects.
• Provide leadership, direction, organization and guidance to the region's municipal governments, consultants, and the public to promote quality environmental management, design, and technical services.
• Coordinate regional planning, design, and management of civil/site and water resources-related projects including stormwater management, storm drain, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) stormwater retrofits, Low Impact Development, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, stream restoration, and permitting.
• Support environmental justice and transportation-environmental initiatives.
• Communicate and implement the FutureLV: The Regional Plan as it relates to environmental engineering, planning, management, and stewardship.
• Assist communities in visioning place-based environmental design projects to connect people, development, and the environment in sustainable and implementable ways.
• Assist communities in promoting their environmental resources as community assets.
• Partner with and promote the environmental economy and environment-related educational institutions and programs.
• Support farmland and open space, recreation, wildlife, and watershed management and policies, and programs.
• Assist in conceptualizing design and consultation for green-gray infrastructure and storm water management projects.
• Consult with LVPC staff, public officials, and the public to identify environmental engineering/planning needs.
• Work with other LVPC sections, outside agencies, and organizations to share, obtain, and incorporate engineering and planning related information into the regional Comprehensive Plan, model ordinances and other environmental systems and reports.
• Identify, provide, and analyze data, related to environmental stewardship and management.
• Evaluate data and information to ensure validity, reliability, and appropriateness.
• Perform complex analyses of data specific to demands.
• Develop and produce report, charts, and other graphic information displays.
• Develop promotional and educational material as needed.
• Attend meetings and make public presentations and represent the LVPC.
• Support work teams that participate in project planning.
• Conduct field investigations for research, compiling data and assessing project conformity with plans.
• Remain current in latest environmental engineering/planning techniques.
• Maintain active communication with contractors, engineers, surveyors, government agencies, and the public for any engineering, surveying or construction issues.
• Research new technologies and make recommendations to the Director of Environmental Planning for software acquisition, implementation, and advancement in the fields of environmental engineering and planning.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Other Characteristics

• Ability to understand and follow complex written and oral instructions.
• Ability to clearly communicate information both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles, practices, and methods as applicable to Storm Water Drainage Systems.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public works engineering and Storm Water Drainage System operations preferred.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulatory standards governing engineering activities, preferred.
• Knowledge of advanced level mathematical computations, including geometry, trigonometry, and calculus.
• Skill in design and development of improvement and project plans, related work specifications, and related design formats that render proposed project concepts.
• Skill in researching, compiling, and summarizing statistical data and related materials.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with LVPC personnel, management, contractors, consultants, governments, and the public.
• Knowledge of project management techniques.
• Knowledge and ability to promote safe work practices and ensure compliance with LVPC safety policies.
• Skill in coordinating multiple projects.
• Skill in conducting research and writing technical reports.
• Skill in communicating clearly and concisely, orally, in writing and in graphic work.
• Skill in providing customer service.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with consultants, employees, and the public.
• Ability to actively participate in and give back to the environmental engineering community through established professional organizations and networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or related engineering field. Master's Degree encouraged but not required. Responsible technical experience in engineering a plus but not required.
• Ability to maintain Professional Engineer registration in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or obtain registration within state guidelines.
• Acquire, possess and maintain a valid Pennsylvania Driver's License.
• Demonstrable experience in storm drainage site design software (e.g., VT PSUHM) and HEC-HMS hydrologic modeling software products and associated applications relating to engineering. Other comparable software experience will be considered. If storm drainage site design software is not possessed, desire to learn and then excel at modeling systems is critical.
• Demonstrable experience with Microsoft Office/Office 365/Teams.
• Demonstrable use of social media applications such as twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
• Ability to use computers, tablets, smart phones, plotters, printers and copiers.
• Thorough knowledge of fundamental engineering and planning issues and concepts, including basic civil engineering theory, urban design, subdivision, environmental issues, growth management, economic development, housing, and transportation.
• Ability to visit and traverse construction sites, stream banks and other outdoor conditions, including navigating rocky and uneven surfaces.
• Ability to lift, push and maneuver 50 lbs. or more.

Apply - Please visit to see full job description.

Only e-mail submissions to will be accepted and must include:

1. Current resume detailing your education and experience.
2. Letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position and why you would like to be considered. Please address this letter to, Becky Bradley, AICP, Executive Director, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.
3. Minimum of three (3) references with names, address, telephone number, e-mail and relationship information for each person.

Position open until filled. Review of applications and interviews will begin immediately.