Leader of Nature - Based Systems

About Lochner

Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation and water clients who need high-quality, forward-looking solutions to complex challenges. Our vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry, centered on an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce coming together to embrace the art of the possible and make a lasting difference in our world.

Are you ready to join us on this journey?

As a people-centric company, Lochner’s purpose is to empower our team to put their knowledge to work, enhancing communities across the US. To achieve this, we hire candidates of all experiences and skillsets because amazing things happen when people with diverse backgrounds come together to solve problems. We believe collaboration is more than a buzz word — it is a guiding principle in which every point of view is valued and heard and is the driving force in delivering our best work. At all levels of the organization, we foster an entrepreneurial spirit and culture of autonomy to advance our strategic vision and continually seek our next success story.  Lochner – learn more about us

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Leader in Natural-Based Systems initiatives for coastal solutions.  The chosen candidate will develop a business plan leading to the successful development of a coastal engineering practice.  The chosen candidate will lead innovative strategies that harness geomorphic and ecological principles to enhance the resilience of coastal and watersheds; drive research, aid policy development, and project implementation that integrate nature-based solutions for shoreline protection, water quality improvement, and watershed management—ensuring sustainable outcomes for both coastal environments and surrounding communities. This position reports to our Director of Strategic Growth in the Water Practice, and can work from our Austin, Dallas, Houston, Round Rock, or San Antonio office.

The primary responsibilities of this role include:

• Lead the successful development of a Coastal Engineering practice focused, primarily, in Texas, but eventually nationwide.  This includes:
• Secure funding and partnerships to support coastal-coastal watershed restoration, resilience planning, and long-term sustainability efforts.
• Develop staff and support hiring to build a coastal team. 
• Work across practices within the Lochner family, as appropriate, to aid with client, project, and staff development.
• Develop nature-based solutions for coastal geomorphology and resilience, watershed management and restoration, and flood mitigation.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams to integrate coastal geomorphology, engineering, planning, ecology, hydrology, and sustainable infrastructure into policy and holistic solutions.

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in coastal geomorphology, ecology, watershed management, environmental science, and natural systems solutions.
• Familiar with the federal and state policies that support the coastal and coastal watershed restoration and flood protection projects
• Proven leadership in managing complex, multi-stakeholder coastal-coastal watershed projects.
• Strong understanding of marine-oceanic climate resilience, hydrology, and sustainable watershed development.
• Ability to translate scientific research into actionable strategies for policymakers, water resource managers, and coastal communities.
• Excellent communication and advocacy skills to promote coastal watershed conservation and sustainability, as well as ports infrastructure sustainability, as part of a natural systems solutions approach.
• Ability to collaborate with government agencies, nonprofits, ports, and industry leaders to advance coastal solutions, watershed conservation, stormwater management, and coastal and marine habitat restoration.

Joining Lochner means gaining access to a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health and financial well-being throughout your career.

Lochner provides an extensive total rewards package that includes:

• Competitive Premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off and Flexible Holiday Program
• Company