Coastal Engineer

Versar, Inc. is hiring a mid-level Coastal Engineer in Columbia, MD, to support clients in assessing and designing sustainable climate adaptation solutions. The role involves coastal engineering design, modeling, and project management for resilience planning and restoration projects. Responsibilities include conducting analyses of coastal processes, preparing technical documents, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. The position requires strong communication skills and an understanding of coastal resilience policies.
Coastal Engineer - Resilience and Climate Adaptation Versar seeks a mid-level Coastal Engineer to join a growing and dynamic program that is assisting our clients assess, plan and design sustainable approaches to help address issues related to climate-related hazards and enhance resilience through adaptation. An ideal candidate will have an understanding of the principles and practices of coastal engineering, coastal hydrodynamics, wave theory, and sediment transport models; and have experience developing and managing cost-effective, ecologically focused structural and nature-based solutions to coastal management challenges including coastal engineering, coastal flood risk and adaptive design. This position will require performing coastal engineering design and modeling, preparing plans and reports; reviewing designs and drafting work; planning, scheduling and coordinating construction services, interacting with climate resilience managers and subject matter experts, and supporting coastal resilience market research and project capture. Projects, which will vary in type, scale, and complexity, but will be focused and support development of climate adaptation alternatives, resilience planning, and structural and ecologically focused restoration and resilience projects for a diverse client-base including federal, state, local, and municipal governments. Responsibilities: TechnicalSupporting vulnerability assessments and developing coastal hazard data through modelingLeading assessments, planning efforts, engineered designs, and implementation of climate adaptation efforts (e.g., coastal resilience)Conducting analysis and modeling of coastal processes such as currents, waves, storm surge, sediment transport, morphology, and wave current structure interactionRecommending best practices and mitigation measuresPreparing of technical planning documents and reportsDeveloping assessments, planning solutions, and specifications for adaptation measures including, but not limited to structural approaches, green infrastructure, flood mitigation, climate resilience, and ecological stream restoration projectsPerforming engineering analysis, preliminary, and detail design of coastal protection and restoration projectsProviding technical advice and communication to clients.Ensuring that all scheduled project deliverables are produced on time and at the highest quality standardsEffectively communicating with clients, regulatory agencies, and publicAssist in proactively identifying potential problems with projects and aiding in developing mitigation strategiesCoordinating and working constructively with interdisciplinary teams that may be as diverse as ecologists, GIS specialists, restoration professionals, climate modellers, and archaeologists to generate solutions and complete deliverablesManaging outside subconsultant activities and deliverables as requiredProactively tracking, monitoring, and managing program/project progress, financials, schedules, and deliverables. Marketing, Public Representation, and Client DevelopmentContributes ideas and recommendations to strategic plansGeneral awareness and understanding of coastal resilience policy and legal landscape, particularly at intersection with climateDeveloping, managing, and maintaining client relationshipsIdentifying business opportunities, developing scopes of work and effective proposalsEstablishing and maintaining industry connections and developing strategic partnershipsAttending and presenting at trade shows, conferences, and seminarsMaintaining professional visibility by actively participating in professional organizations Required Experience/Capabilities: 4+ years of related consulting, program management, or project management/implementation experience conducting resilience and climate adaptation services Demonstrated technical leadership and project management experienceExperience creating a positive work environment for multi-disciplinary assessment, planning, design, and implementation teamsExperience permitting and coordinating with coastal resource agenciesExperienced in hard and soft structure coastal engineering design such as sea dikes, seawalls. breakwaters, streambank stabilization, beach nourishment, marsh creation, and living shorelines.Strong written and oral communication skills with colleagues and clientsWorking closely with multiple stakeholders to assess and perform vulnerability assessments and resilience planning actions Preferred Experience/Capabilities; or What will make you stand out?:Experience working with local communities and organizations on projectsExperience working with state and local governments on projectsExperience working with Department of Defense on projects Education/Professional Credentials: Bachelor of Science degree in coastal, civil, and/or ocean engineering; Master of Science degree preferred with focus on coastal hazards and/or modelingCurrent registration as Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) required PDN-9997e6f1-b50a-4db8-85ae-594433fd5e63