EDGE - Environmental Engineering - Mechanicsville, VA

Virginia Department of Transportation

Full-Time
Closes on Thursday, April 23, 2026

Job Description

Equip entry-level individuals to fill designated critical environmental roles and contribute effective results to the organization. The individual in this position participates in the Employee Development Growth Experience (EDGE) Program, and through the program, applies his or her environmental studies as a competent VDOT environmental specialist. Development entails the technical and leadership competencies that are required for Environmental Specialist I in VDOT’s Environmental Division.

Through this structured 15 to 24-month practical training program you will have the opportunity to:

  • Develop mission-critical technical skills and leadership competencies.
  • Work on impactful projects and provide influence on their completion.
  • Rotate across a wide variety of environmental engineering, maintenance, operations, business, and support functions during year one.
  • Gain specialized experience in your desired area of focus (i.e. roadway or structural design, traffic engineering, operations, materials, land use, maintenance, residency operations, construction, or transportation planning) during year two.

When you complete the EDGE Program, you will have the opportunity to be placed in a position that aligns with your specialty area and VDOT’s workforce needs. The goal of the EDGE Program is to assist you in developing your environmental engineering expertise and career.

How you will contribute:

  • Air and Noise Quality: Demonstrates a general knowledge of air quality and noise modeling and attenuation.
  • Biological Resources: Demonstrates a general knowledge of biological resources, including threatened and endangered species.
  • Development: Develop core and leadership competencies. Competencies are demonstrated at the entry-level proficiency through cross training as defined in the development plan. Output is produced according to specifications of developmental activity assigned by the supervisor. Journals are kept in accordance with performance standards and EDGE Program guidance.
  • Environmental Health and Safety: Demonstrates a general knowledge of environmental health and safety.
  • Environmental Laws: Demonstrates a general knowledge of environmental law, such the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Demonstrates a general knowledge of environmental sustainability.
  • General Engineering Knowledge: Demonstrates a general knowledge of civil engineering, including the planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of transportation systems and infrastructure.
  • Solid and Hazardous Waste: Demonstrates a general knowledge of solid and hazardous waste, site assessment and remediation.
  • Water Resources: Demonstrates a general knowledge of water resources, including water quality and pollutant fate and transport.

What will make you successful:

  • Ability to apply the knowledge to complete projects and other tasks.
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to make decisions, as well as determine more efficient processes to produce results and maximize resources.
  • Knowledge of environmental and sustainability principles as they relate to roadway transportation.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Ability to apply environmental knowledge to complete projects and other tasks.
  • Ability to make independent decisions, as well as determine more efficient processes to produce results and maximize resources.
  • Knowledge of environmental and sustainability principles, policies, and procedures.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of employment.
  • Skill in basic computer operations.

Additional Considerations:

  • A combination of training, experience or education in Environmental Science, Studies, and Sustainability or Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field is desired.
  • Experience in design technology, and in interpreting technical plans and specifications.
  • Experience in water, air, solid and hazardous waste, and/or environmental health and safety.
  • Knowledge of conducting site assessments.
  • Knowledge of developing remediation plans.
  • Knowledge of environmental engineering principles.
  • Possess Engineer in Training (EIT) designation at time of employment.
Full-Time Virginia Department of Transportation
EDGE - Environmental Engineering - Mechanicsville, VA - 169752