Lead Water Quality Solutions Engineer

RES seeks to hire a Lead Water Quality Solutions Engineer experienced in water quality restoration project design as part of the overall National Water Quality Solutions Team. This position can be remote or sit in Richmond, VA, Chicago, IL or Raleigh, NC.

The mission: to work closely with the Water Quality Solutions Team to understand and address water quality issues through collaboration with clients, NGOs, and regulators. You will develop restoration concepts using innovative nature-based solutions and ecological restoration at the watershed scale. You will have the opportunity to lead and/or work with experienced biologists, scientists, and ecologists in project site identification and design in selected priority states and regions across the United States. Note that travel to project sites may be expected up to 30% of your time.  

Ultimately, a cross-functional team will be built around the Lead Water Quality Solutions Engineer to help satisfy client needs with Advisory, Integrated Delivery, and Bank projects. We are looking for passionate, driven candidates to join our Water Quality Solutions Team.

What your day-to-day might look like?

Technical Support and Project Development:

• Provide technical support to the Water Quality Solutions Team to develop innovative, watershed-scale projects for water quality restoration and mitigation. This involves conducting engineering and scientific analyses and designing restoration projects specific to water quality, such as stormwater management/treatment, green infrastructure, sediment management, stream and wetland restoration, and constructed treatment wetlands.

Modeling and Design:

• Use GIS, pollutant load models/calculation tools for performance efficiency estimates, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software to develop models, perform engineering calculations and interpret results. Candidate will need to be able to use “off the shelf” watershed, water quality, pollutant loading models, and have experience with creating their own spreadsheet models.
• Handle various water resources tasks and projects associated with stream and wetland restoration design, stream crossings, scour analyses, stormwater systems, watershed management and floodplain studies, and erosion/sediment control.
• Prepare mitigation, stormwater, and/or grading and construction plans and design and size various BMPs according to jurisdictional design standards.

Strategic Planning and Sales Support:

• Develop and execute strategic proposals focused on projects related to the Clean Waterways Act, water quality credit banks, and Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs).
• Collaborate with clients, NGOs, and regulators to understand water quality issues, investigate potential sources, provide expert guidance on addressing concerns with innovative nature-based solutions and ecological restoration, coordinate with internal and external project team members to win business and execute projects, and drive growth in this sector.
• Provide training internally to regional sales and other technical staff to further RES’ capabilities nationally.

Industry Knowledge and Trends:

• Stay current on the RES project portfolio, industry trends, regulations, and advancements in water quality management and restoration techniques. Use this knowledge to provide informed guidance to clients and internal teams, ensuring that projects are aligned with the latest standards and practices.

Networking and Promotion:

• Participate in industry conferences, seminars, and networking events to promote RES' business interests and to help establish RES as a water quality restoration thought leader in the industry, nationwide. Represent the company, share insights on water quality improvement projects, and build relationships with key stakeholders in the industry.

Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of your job responsibilities.

Qualifications

We would like to talk to you if you have many of the following:

• BA/BS in Engineering
• Ten or more years of regulatory or environmental consulting experience responsible for leading the pursuit and delivery of projects.
• Strong proficiency and in-depth knowledge of water quality issues (TMDLs, state-specific criteria, alternative restoration plans), and ecological restoration/mitigation practices that target waterbody and watershed restoration.
• Sound understanding of restoration design principles, H&H modeling, approaches, and supporting technical information such as engineering design plans, functional calculations (i.e., pollutant load calculations/modeling), and ecological data, as pertains to improving water quality
• Strong familiarity with GIS capabilities and functions
• Advanced understanding of and experience with relevant environmental regulations and permits/approvals (CWA 401/402/404, NWP/IP, NPDES, ESA),
• Proven track record in project development, conceptual design and project delivery, as related to water quality restoration.

What will make you stand out:

• P.E. or other additional qualifications in nature-based design and implementation
• Demonstrated existing relationships with public agencies and regulators, private developers, consulting and engineering firms, non-profits, and academia to further RES’ reputation and business interests
• Experience in the review and preparation of regulatory documents and deliverables and responding to agency comments
• Experienced in proposal writing, estimating, scheduling, and budget development

VEVRAA Federal Contractor

RES is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law