Diversity of thought

Straughan believes diversity makes us stronger. A diverse workplace improves innovation, creativity, productivity, and professional growth. We strive to challenge our assumptions and develop innovative solutions to common problems. We build project teams with diverse expertise and backgrounds to create and test ideas that improve the status quo. 

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commitment

We recognize the pain, injustices, and divisions within our communities due to inequalities, racism, and intolerances of all kinds. We cannot have strong communities without equality and justice for all.

As we build our team, we are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are open-minded and care about your capability, your drive, and your desire and determination to contribute your gifts, talents, and perspective.

Straughan is committed to continuous learning, support, and outreach that contributes positively to creating a work environment, community and a society that understands and values the human spirit in all its forms.

Have fun. Make a difference.

We celebrate successes. We learn and grow every day. We welcome challenges. We support each other. We seek divergent ideas and input. We care deeply about sustainability. We lead and support our communities. We encourage personal enrichment and renewal.

straughanSOCIAL

We believe that engagement is important whether you work in the office, are entirely remote, or do a little of both. straughanSOCIAL is our place for game nights, coffee meetups, seed swaps, kickball games, wellness events, and much more!

Flexible Work Arrangements

The way we work is changing, and we understand the increasing demands you face in your personal and work life. Straughan provides flexibility in work arrangements whenever possible.

Environmental Initiatives

If there’s one thing all Straughan employees have in common, it’s our enthusiasm for the environment. We seek to implement environmental best practices in every aspect of our work for our clients, our company, and our communities. We also have an active employee Green Team who volunteer to further our environmental practices.

Professional Development

In a constantly changing and unpredictable world, we hope to develop future leaders who care about improving the field of environmental science, management, and engineering. We encourage our staff to learn in a variety of ways and offer staff-led lunch & learns, webinars, training, tuition reimbursement, coaching, professional society membership, and more.

working with us

Our Commitment

Quality, customer service, safety, and management commitments for every project.

Creative Strategies

Strategies to improve outcomes for the environment and communities, while often reducing project costs and schedules.

Comprehensive Capabilities

Versatile environmental expertise – from project planning and design through construction and program management.

benefits

At Straughan, we invest in the entire you.

To better understand our workforce, we are committed to continuously evolving and creating practices, providing benefits, and policies that meaningfully address the needs and desires of our team. We invest fully in you for your today and your tomorrow. Here are some of the ways we support all of our team:

401(k) retirement plan with an employer match

Medical and dental insurance

Tuition assistance

Short- and long-term disability insurance

Continuous development

Maternity/Paternity leave

Generous paid time off, including 8 holidays

Health savings and flexible spending accounts

Employer-paid life and voluntary life insurance

Flexible work arrangements

Professional society membership

top workplace

Together we can create a sustainable world.

We believe successful, productive employees create a successful, productive company. We work closely to develop and support employees to reach their full potential, and we are proud of the reputation our employees have earned and the high degree of our collective success.

View Open Positions

Remote

GIS Specialist

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Posted: August 12, 2024 Remote

GIS Specialist

Who We Are

Straughan Environmental, Inc. is a successful, rapidly growing, woman owned business that provides high quality and cost-effective consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the governmental and private sectors. Straughan is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient communities. We are experts in environmental planning, design, assessments, and policy. Our staff consists of wildlife and wetlands scientists; geomorphologists and hydrologists, civil and environmental engineers; inspectors; biologists and botanists; planners; cultural resource specialists; and GIS and CAD professionals. This combination of technical expertise and an understanding of policy make Straughan a highly competitive firm and a great place to advance your career

 

Job Purpose

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment. Straughan Environmental, Inc. works with NRCS, helping to create and manage spatial data for easement programs managed by NRCS’ Easement Program Division. The work performed in this role serves NRCS’ mission of ‘helping people help the land,’ working with landowners to voluntarily put conservation on the ground and preserve the natural environment for future generations. Straughan is looking for a GIS Specialist to aid in this mission with the duties and responsibilities listed below.

This position is fully remote. Applicants must reside and be authorized to work in the following states to be considered for the position: Colorado, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virgina. 

 

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Identifies, creates, collects, converts, integrates, and manages geospatial datasets and metadata on multiple simultaneous projects.
  • Performs research related to land ownership and access using national, state, and local data.
  • Interprets deeds, leases, and other land survey and real property documentation for use in cartographic products.
  • Uses ArcPro3.X to perform COGO, data editing, and produce cartographic outputs to set standards.
  • Assist with technical analysis on GIS computer applications, provides technical support and promotes GIS technology.
  • Analyzes technical problems and devises new approaches and alternative solutions.
  • Develops or maintains GIS applications using a combination of GIS software, web-based development tools, and/or Windows development tools.
  • Processes and analyzes raster and vector geospatial data in support of clients and staff including engineers, environmental scientists, and planners.
  • Creates and/or follows standard operating procedures.
  • Performs QA/QC of cartographic outputs based on standard operating procedures

 

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, or related field

Experience:

  • A minimum of one year of full-time GIS related experience including experience in the preparation of GIS products and use of ArcPro 3.X.
  • In-depth knowledge of ESRI’s software, including ArcPro 3.X.
  • Knowledge of open source tools.
  • Experience reading legal descriptions and survey plats that are part of legal documents to develop shapefiles for easement programs.
  • Knowledge of cartography, coordinate systems, map projections, and topology.
  • Proficiency in basic computer applications, especially MS Office (Word, Excel, and Access.)
  • Strong verbal, organizational and written communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently across multiple projects simultaneously and in an organized fashion.
  • Ability to collaborate in a remote team environment.

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience using ESRI Model Builder to create geoprocessing tools
  • Experience in GIS programming with Python using ArcPy
  • Working knowledge of AutoCAD and/or MicroStation
  • Contributing member of a professional organization or interest in becoming active in a professional organization
  • Experience as a federal government contractor

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by applicable law.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time

 

Straughan is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status

Columbia, MD

Stormwater Deputy Director

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Posted: August 30, 2024 Columbia, MD

Stormwater Deputy Director

Who We Are

Straughan Environmental, Inc. is a successful, rapidly growing, woman owned business that provides high quality and cost-effective consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the governmental and private sectors. Straughan is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient communities. We are experts in environmental planning, design, assessments, and policy. Our staff consists of wildlife and wetlands scientists; geomorphologists and hydrologists, civil and environmental engineers; inspectors; biologists and botanists; planners; cultural resource specialists; and GIS and CAD professionals. This combination of technical expertise and an understanding of policy make Straughan a highly competitive firm and a great place to advance your career.

Job Purpose

The Stormwater Deputy Director provides senior management support for projects, business development, and staff oversight. This role will report to the Engineering Director and is based at the home office.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Lead major projects, including maintaining schedule, budget, client relationships, and managing project elements including tracking project milestones and prepare project manager reports; and supervising preparation of deliverables and ensuring quality control.
  • Manage multiple staff and mentor junior staff in technical, administrative, client management, and business development skills.
  • Lead business development initiatives, including proposal preparation and facilitating teaming.
  • Perform significant client contact and coordination with other consultants, individuals must have demonstrated ability to work towards consensus on difficult issues.
  • Possess strong organizational skills, including the ability to track and manage multiple tasks and priorities, as well as the ability to communicate effectively in both speech and writing.
  • Assist in the development of the Engineering department, fostering professional camaraderie, identifying opportunities for growth/expansion, and leading hiring efforts.
  • Attend and prepare for conferences with possible presentations.
  • Maintain significant professional qualifications.
  • Perform as acting Director when Director is out of the office, as needed.
Requirements

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental engineering

Experience:

  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience
  • Experience managing projects
  • Experience managing client relationships
  • Experience with proposal development
  • Experience with preparing task and labor estimates
  • Experience managing staff
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with clients, peers, and other contractor organizations
  • Excellent organization and written communication skills
  • Active involvement in professional organizations
  • Stormwater management design
  • Erosion and sediment control design
  • Drainage system design experience
  • Hydrology & Hydraulics analyses
  • Dam Safety and Hazard analyses
  • Flood Studies
  • Flood Resiliency and Mitigation Strategy experience
  • Excellent computer skills are required, including basic knowledge of MicroStation or AutoCAD; Proficient with Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Adobe Suite
  • Experience using engineering applicable engineering software such as Geopak, InRoads, Hec-RAS, TR-20, and TR-55.

Desired Qualifications

  • Familiarity and project experience with municipalities in the Mid-Atlantic (e.g., Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania)
  • Blue-Green Infrastructure experience
  • Site design and LEED experience
  • Low impact development (LID) and environmental site design (ESD) in Maryland
  • Environmental Permitting (Forest Conservation Plans, Wetland Delineations/Wetland Impact Plates, Planting Plans, and similar environmental documents) experience
  • Public Outreach experience

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by applicable law.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Physically able to conduct scoping and construction site visits

 

Straughan is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Harford County, MD

Environmental Scientist

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Posted: June 20, 2024 Harford County, MD

Environmental Scientist

Who We Are

Straughan Environmental, Inc. is a successful, rapidly growing, woman owned business that provides high quality and cost-effective consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the governmental and private sectors. Straughan is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient communities. We are experts in environmental planning, design, assessments, and policy. Our staff consists of wildlife and wetlands scientists; geomorphologists and hydrologists, civil and environmental engineers; inspectors; biologists and botanists; planners; cultural resource specialists; and GIS and CAD professionals. This combination of technical expertise and an understanding of policy make Straughan a highly competitive firm and a great place to advance your career.

Job Purpose

TEMPORARY POSITION/ 6-months with the possibility of extension / Located in Harford County

SHA requests the services of a qualified IEM to meet permit requirements for the above referenced project. The IEM on behalf of the MDE Nontidal Wetlands and Waterway Construction Divisions and USACE will work with the SHA Project Staff and Contractor to confirm that the approved plans and construction activities are performed in compliance with all regulatory permit conditions and commitments.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Perform duties of an Independent Environmental Monitor (IEM) to meet permit requirements for specified project in Harford County. The IEM on behalf of the MDE Nontidal Wetlands and Waterway Construction Divisions and USACE will work with the client Project Staff and Contractor to confirm that the approved plans and construction activities are performed in compliance with all regulatory permit conditions and commitments.
  • Report findings directly and concurrently to MDE Nontidal Wetlands and Waterway Construction Divisions, and USACE, notifying them and the client immediately of any reported or observed potential violations or non-compliance issues within the terms or conditions of the permit, the Water Quality Certification, or approved plans and specifications.
  • Review approved plans and monitor construction activities for compliance with all conditions of applicable permits and environmental regulations.
  • Review the Contractor’s environmental compliance implementation.
  • Notify the client of deficiencies in the compliance with the commitments, considerations, permits and approvals.
  • Document impacts to regulated resources by developing and maintaining a detailed tracking list of impacted resources.
  • Assist with the identification of ongoing opportunities for further avoidance and minimization of impacts to regulated environmental resources and protection of water quality.
  • Coordinate and attend any meetings involving resource or regulatory agencies, including the USACE, MDE, DNR, USFWS or EPA.
  • Maintain regular coordination with regulatory agencies and client representatives.
  • IEM will utilize specialized client format/portal for reporting.
  • Prepare a summary report of findings upon project completion.
  • IEM services will be performed up to 40 hours per week, unless otherwise directed and approved. Project construction and IEM inspections are anticipated to occur through December 2024 with the possibility of an extension.

Qualifications

Environmental Scientist with a minimum of five [5] years of experience with performing highway construction or erosion and sediment control inspections, performing wetland and stream monitoring, and/or wetland and stream restoration/mitigation monitoring.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by applicable law.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time
  • Must be able to traverse various types of terrain for extended periods of time
  • Physical ability to perform outdoor field work and in unpleasant field conditions
  • Physically able to conduct inspections and carry equipment used for inspections

Straughan Environmental Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Columbia, MD

Senior Environmental Program Manager

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Posted: September 3, 2024 Columbia, MD

Senior Environmental Program Manager

Who We Are

Straughan Environmental, Inc. is a successful, rapidly growing, woman owned business that provides high quality and cost-effective consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the governmental and private sectors. Straughan is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient communities. We are experts in environmental planning, design, assessments, and policy. Our staff consists of wildlife and wetlands scientists; geomorphologists and hydrologists, civil and environmental engineers; inspectors; biologists and botanists; planners; cultural resource specialists; and GIS and CAD professionals. This combination of technical expertise and an understanding of policy make Straughan a highly competitive firm and a great place to advance your career.

Job Purpose

Straughan is currently seeking a Senior Environmental Project Manager to join our Natural Resources Business Unit who has the passion to lead and deliver complex, quality projects.

Duties & Responsibilities

  • Serve as an environmental program manager and primary point of contact for client team.
  • Perform management role in hybrid office/virtual capacity as needed from Straughan office and/or client site (primarily in Baltimore/DC/Northern VA area).
  • Manage large project/client environmental program and client relationships, delivering program tasks on time and within budget.
  • Communicate and collaborate with the project team, project managers, contractors, and agency representatives.
  • Serve as liaison with Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies; facilitate simple and complex permits, modifications, and supporting documentation; track permit conditions and commitments.
  • Oversee preparation and submittal of Forest Conservation Plans, Wetland Delineations/Wetland Impact Plates, Planting Plans, Compensatory Mitigation Plans, and similar environmental documents.
  • Collaborate on tidal/nontidal wetland mitigation and stream stabilization design; provide remedial action recommendations.
  • Oversee field investigations and scoping meetings.
  • Support construction-phase tasks by reviewing submittals, answering RFI’s, and conducting field visits to ensure compliance with the contract drawings and specifications.
  • Manage direct reports and subcontractor staff; mentor junior staff.
  • Manage/Oversee the quality, timeliness, and financial aspects of the environmental program and specific tasks, including the development of annual work plans, scopes, budgets and proposals necessary for contract negotiation.
  • Develop proposals and lead business development efforts for designated clients.
  • Organize complex and concurrent program elements, provide routine status updates, and develop program/task projections and schedules.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Environmental Science, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Geomorphology, or related field

Experience

Minimum 10 years of relevant work experience, including at least 4 years of complex project management experience. Strong communication and interpersonal skills a must. Experience with providing environmental consulting services (assessments and permitting). Ability to pass background check.

Desired Qualifications

  • Design-Build and/or alternative delivery experience
  • Transportation, Energy, and/or Utility sector experience
  • Experience navigating local, state, federal environmental regulations
  • PWS, ISA Certified Arborist, and/or other related certification with experience in Mid-Atlantic region
  • Active involvement in professional organizations
  • Business development and marketing experience for technical services
  • Proficiency in regional plant identification and soil and hydrology evaluation
  • Develop construction specifications and cost estimates
  • NEPA documentation experience
  • Rosgen Certified or similar training
  • Proficiency using GIS, including experience with geodatabases, collecting/importing/manipulating data, creating mapping, and using related field equipment
  • Proficiency in MicroStation or AutoCAD
  • Familiarity with water budgets, hydrology & hydraulic analyses, sediment transport, landscape plans, HEC-RAS, and/or TR-55/TR-20

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by applicable law.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time
  • Must be able to traverse various types of terrain for extended periods of time
  • Physical ability to perform outdoor field work and in unpleasant field conditions
  • Physically able to conduct inspections and carry equipment used for inspections

Straughan is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status

Columbia, MD

Senior NEPA Specialist – Environmental Planning

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Posted: June 28, 2024 Columbia, MD

Senior NEPA Specialist – Environmental Planning

Who We Are

Straughan Environmental, Inc. is a successful, rapidly growing, woman owned business that provides high quality and cost-effective consulting services to a wide variety of clients in the governmental and private sectors. Straughan is committed to advancing sustainable and resilient communities. We are experts in environmental planning, design, assessments, and policy. Our staff consists of wildlife and wetlands scientists; geomorphologists and hydrologists, civil and environmental engineers; inspectors; biologists and botanists; planners; cultural resource specialists; and GIS and CAD professionals. This combination of technical expertise and an understanding of policy make Straughan a highly competitive firm and a great place to advance your career.

Job Purpose

Straughan is currently seeking an experienced senior project manager with a technical background in leading and conducting environmental, cultural resource, or community planning studies and analyses with special emphasis on NEPA analysis and documentation to join our Planning Team as a Senior NEPA Specialist – Environmental Planning. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

***May reside in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina or Pennsylvania

Duties & Responsibilities

Program/Project Management

  • Manage a portfolio of infrastructure (primarily transportation, green infrastructure and utility) projects that require compliance with the NEPA and other environmental regulations.
  • Manage and assist in NEPA document preparation to include categorical exclusions, environmental assessments, or environmental impact statements.
  • Lead and support other related environmental studies including Purpose & Need, Section 4 (f) Evaluations, Natural and Socioeconomic Analyses, Environmental Justice, Farmland Impacts, etc.
  • Completing project management activities such as data management, analysis and interpretation; report preparation, preparation of environmental approval applications and other general tasks.
  • Attending client and regulatory agency meetings.
  • Prepare public involvement resources and materials.
  • Interacting and communicating effectively with multi-disciplinary teams, regulatory agency staff, and clients.

Business Development and Marketing

  • Actively pursue business development opportunities.
  • Preparing and pricing proposals.
  • Play an active part in business development and marketing activities.

Departmental Management Support

  • Staff management/development/mentoring.
  • Staff allocation to projects and tasks.
  • Track department revenue.
  • Forecast revenue.
  • Review invoices.

All other duties as required and assigned. 

Requirements

Minimum of 7 years relevant experience is required. A master’s degree may be substituted for one year of relevant experience.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Planning, Anthropology, GIS, Engineering, Public Administration, Transportation Planning, Urban Studies, Natural Resources, or related fields.
  • Demonstrated management ability including experience independently managing multiple projects and supervising technical staff.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to communicate effectively in both speech and writing are a must. In addition, candidates must be self-motivated and can work in a multi-disciplinary, environmentally conscious, team environment.
  • Experience preparing NEPA documents for state and federal clients, and in leading/conducting associated studies (i.e., natural and socio-economic studies, environmental justice analysis, air quality and noise studies, 4(f) (impact evaluation, historical/cultural resource investigations, hazardous assessments).
  • Planning related community outreach experience.
  • Business development and marketing experience for technical services.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required.
  • Good working knowledge of ProjectWise required.
  • Good working knowledge of ArcGIS, AutoCAD and/or MicroStation desired.
  • Valid driver’s license.
  • Ability to pass background check.

Desired Qualifications

  • AICP certification and/or PE license is preferable, but not required. Otherwise, expectation that the candidate will achieve certifications/licensure within 1 year.
  • Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and GPS field data collection desired.
  • Technical expertise in leading or assisting with hazardous materials investigations, cultural resource (archaeological and historic architectural) surveys, socioeconomic analysis, noise and air quality analyses for transportation projects in the Mid-Atlantic.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position as required by applicable law.

  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds at a time
  • Must be able to traverse various types of terrain for extended periods of time
  • Physical ability to perform outdoor field work and in unpleasant field conditions
  • Physically able to conduct inspections and carry equipment used for inspection

Straughan Environmental Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Equal employment opportunity (EEO), Affirmative action, and Diversity and Inclusion policy statement

Straughan is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.  Straughan affirms its long-standing commitment to maintain a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate, maintains a business culture that recognizes the contributions and interests of diverse cultural and social groups, and maximizes employee efforts by understanding individual differences and perspectives.  It is the policy of Straughan not merely to refrain from employment discrimination as required by federal, state, and local enactments, but to take positive affirmative action to realize for women, people of color, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veterans’ full equal employment opportunity.  It is also our goal to employ and advance in employment individuals with disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, and protected veterans, and to treat qualified individuals without discrimination on the basis of their physical or mental disability or veteran status. 

EOE/AA Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity – We are an equal opportunity employer, but we are more than that. We are open-minded and care only about your capability, your drive, and your desire and determination to contribute your gifts and talents fully.