Water Resource Engineer

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee‑owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the southeastern United States.

ESA seeks a highly motivated Water Resource Engineer to join our team of engineers and scientists in the Southeast region
. We are looking for a dedicated and enthusiastic team member with 5+ years of work experience
, a passion for water resources and restoration, and the desire to learn and grow. This is a full‑time, salaried, overtime‑exempt role. Strong preference is given to candidates within a 1‑hour commutable distance to one of the ESA office locations:
Tampa or Orlando. Qualified candidates located elsewhere in Florida (or willing to relocate to Florida at their own expense) will also be considered.

This role may involve travel and field work as needed for in‑person team collaborations and site visits. It is an in‑office role, with potential for hybrid flexibility with proven performance and supervisor approval. Qualified Florida remote candidates may be considered.

• Water resources engineer with 5+ years of professional experience with an emphasis on freshwater restoration design within the southeastern United States, preferably Florida.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in civil or environmental engineering or a closely related discipline and professionally licensed engineer (PE). A Florida Professional Engineer's license is desirable; if not licensed in Florida, expected to obtain FL licensure within 12 months of hire.
• Experience designing moderately complex freshwater restoration projects, including water control structures, ditch blocks, low water crossings, weirs, seepage swales, and grading, as well as rehabilitation/repair of water control structures.
• Prepared design plans for a variety of projects and knowledge of state and federal regulations related to implementation, permitting or monitoring of water resource projects.
• Experience preparing technical specifications, engineering opinions of probable costs, and construction bid packages.
• Experience performing field inspections of existing water control structures and evaluating existing water control system designs in freshwater, riverine, or tidal systems (Florida experience preferred).
• Highly familiar with data gathering, analysis, report preparation, and communication of results, including collaboration with related disciplines.
• Strong skills and experience using Microsoft tools and design and mapping software such as AutoCAD, ArcGIS.
• Experience with stormwater hydrology and hydraulic modeling (e.g., SWMM, WWHM, TRUST, HEC‑RAS, ICPR).
• Effective communicator who fosters teamwork and inclusion, and mentors junior staff.
• Proactive team member who identifies and contributes constructively to address project or team issues.
• Ability to present information clearly and speak persuasively to clients, agency staff, teaming partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to work independently from the Florida offices and perform field visits throughout Florida, Alabama, and other states as project needs arise. Hybrid remote working may be considered after onboarding and training.
• Enjoys fieldwork, capable of walking long distances carrying a backpack, and can lift at least 50 pounds. Comfortable working in remote, rural, urban settings, and varied weather conditions; early morning, late night, weekend work, and long hours may be required.
• Valid driver's license with a clean DMV record.
• Preference for candidates with any of the following skillsets:
  • Proficiency in hydrodynamic and water quality numerical simulation modeling and analyses (Princeton Ocean Model, EFDC, CH3D, WASP, CE‑QUAL‑ICM, CE‑QUAL‑W2, QUAL2K) in rivers, lakes, estuaries, and/or coastal areas.
  • High skill in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
  • Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro and Hydro Tools.
  • Familiarity with Florida ecosystem.
  • Experience with construction observations.
  • Experience with surveying and field data collection.
  • Experience in performing drainage design for…