Water Resource Engineer

Overview

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 operate 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 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 Tampa or Orlando. Qualified candidates located elsewhere in Florida (or willing to relocate at their own expense) will also be considered.

This role involves some travel and field work 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 emphasizing 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 PE license is desirable. If not licensed in Florida, willing and able 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, grading, and rehabilitation/repair of water control structures.
• Experience preparing 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, engineer's opinion of probable costs, and construction bid packages.
• Experience performing field inspections of water control structures and evaluating existing designs in freshwater, riverine, or tidal systems (Florida experience preferred).
• Strong ability to gather data, perform analyses, prepare reports, and communicate results, including collaboration with colleagues in related fields.
• Proficiency with Microsoft tools and design/mapping software such as AutoCAD, ArcGIS, or equivalents.
• Experience with stormwater hydrology and hydraulic modeling (e.g., SWMM, WWHM, TRUST, HEC-RAS, ICPR).
• Effective communication, teamwork, and mentoring abilities; ability to share knowledge with junior staff.
• Ability to work independently from Florida offices and conduct field visits across Florida, Alabama, and other areas as needed. Hybrid remote work may be considered after onboarding and training with supervisor approval.
• Willingness to perform fieldwork, walk long distances carrying a backpack, and lift at least 50 pounds. Comfortable working outdoors in varied environments and weather. Some early mornings, evenings, and weekend work may be required.
• Valid driver's license with a clean DMV record.

• Lead, manage, and assist with the preparation of freshwater resources analyses, reports, designs, permit applications, construction drawings, technical specifications, and other project documentation.
• Lead or participate in field data collection to support engineering analysis and design.
• Collaborate with engineers, ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, numerical modelers, landscape architects, biologists, and other specialists to advance restoration approaches from concept to implementation.
• Provide mentorship and support for more junior staff, including reviewing work for accuracy and clarity and providing career guidance.
• Contribute to project management, including development of design and permitting documents within guidelines, and delivering assignments on time and within budget.
• Demonstrate strong writing and oral communication skills in client and agency meetings, and…