Water Resources Designer – Drainage & Floodplain

Are you passionate about water resources engineering and ready to take on meaningful challenges that shape communities and natural systems? DOWL is seeking a motivated and highly skilled Water Resources Engineer to join our Surface Water Group in Reno, Nevada.

This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse and impactful projects involving drainage design, river engineering, stormwater, floodplains, dams and irrigation infrastructure..

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 a 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 begin on first day of employment. Employees also receive nine paid holidays throughout the calendar year.

The Water Resources Designer 1 assists with basic 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. Duties will include assisting with basic field investigations and inspections, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, watershed modeling, alternatives analysis, design and drafting, cost estimating, technical report writing, and other tasks as assigned.

The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, a desire to learn new design concepts, and have good organizational and communication skills. A Water Resources Designer 1 should demonstrate basic proficiency with drafting and design software and be able to quickly learn and apply 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.

This position will work under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer.

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.

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) – Basic Knowledge
• Market Sector Software (Water Related, GIS, and CAD Software) – Basic Knowledge
• Desired exposure and experience in HY-8, HEC-RAS 1D and 2D, HEC-HMS, SRH2D, and rainfall simulations models