Water Resources Design Engineer

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multidisciplinary consulting firm with more than 60 years of experience delivering innovative civil engineering solutions. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. Our Surface Water Group in the Water and Environmental Service practice area is recognized for its expertise in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, drainage design, bridge and scour design, floodplain studies, and rehabilitation of dams and other hydraulic structures. As part of our team, you will contribute to projects that address critical water management challenges, from aging infrastructure rehabilitation and flood risk reduction to stormwater conveyance and river system improvements.

At DOWL, we are committed to developing exceptional engineers through meaningful project experience. You'll collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, apply advanced tools and modeling software, and take on a wide range of responsibilities spanning both office and field work. We foster a culture grounded in integrity, professionalism, innovation, and teamwork, where your contributions are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a lasting difference.

DOWL provides a comprehensive benefits package to support the health and financial well-being of our full-time employees and their families. DOWL offers a High Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) (including employer contribution). Other benefits include flexible spending account, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, dependent care account, employee assistance program, a 401(k) plan with discretionary employer contributions for matching, profit sharing, student debt repayment, paid time off, paid holidays. Paid Time Off (PTO) accrues at a minimum of 16 days per year and accruals being on first day of employment. Employees also receive nine paid holidays throughout the calendar year. For more details and eligibility please visit Careers - DOWL.
Summary

The Water Resources Design Engineer performs intermediate to advanced levels of planning, analysis, and design for a variety of water resource projects including irrigation canals, dams, storm drainage systems, stream restoration and fish passage, bridges and culverts, and more with minimal oversight. Duties will include moderately complex field investigations and inspections, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, watershed modeling, alternatives analysis, design and drafting, cost estimating, technical report writing, preparation of scope and budgets for new projects, conducting quality control checking of others' work, and other tasks as needed. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic and professional judgment, have a desire to learn new design concepts, and have great organizational and communication skills. A Water Resources Designer Engineer should demonstrate full proficiency with drafting and design software and fully understand 2D and 3D design concepts. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary.
Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Proficient
• Market Sector Software (water resource, GIS, and CAD software) - Proficient

Technical Expertise

• Proficient understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs moderately complex design tasks independently
• Effectively divides projects into individual tasks
• Leads technical effort on small projects
• Performs quality control of basic deliverables
• Basic awareness of technical aspects of other market sectors

Teamwork

Primarily functions in a supporting role on a project team, often in the role as a task leader for a small team on simple tasks. Anticipates the needs of other technical disciplines and takes responsibility for results of the assigned work.
Project Delivery

Produces the following independently:

• Site investigation
• Design calculations
• Technical reports and memos
• Exhibits and figures
• Construction quantity calculations and cost estimates
• Design documents and construction plans
• Complete technical sections of permit applications
• Presentation content and slides
• Prepare content for bidding addenda
• Construction inspection of designed components

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Intermediate understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Able to predict and deliver individual tasks within a set level of effort. Assists with budget and schedule development. Able to consistently meet budget and schedule expectations on projects.
Industry Standards and Regulations

Able to proficiently identify, interpret, and employ applicable design standards and technical guidance.
Client Interaction

Frequent client communications. Coordinates to resolve issues on small projects. Attends client meetings. Consistently uses situationally appropriate communication tools (e.g., email versus phone versus in-person).
Other

Other duties as assigned.
Level of Work/Accountability

Performs moderate to advanced levels of technical work on larger and more complex projects as assigned by the market sector. Operates with a moderate level of autonomy. May assist with some project management tasks.
Supervisory Duties

No
Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: 4 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 3 years

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• PE required
• CFM, PH encouraged
• Driving is an essential job function or a valid driver's license is required to support legitimate business purposes

Physical Demands

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

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally navigate uneven terrain during site visits for engineering investigations and construction observation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.