Lead Project Manager, Dam Removal

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McMillen, Inc. is seeking a Lead Project Manager with a strong technical background to help deliver exceptional service to our clients. The ideal candidate is a proven Seller‑Doer and a licensed California Professional Engineer (PE) with 15+ years of experience in water resources.

A strong foundation in civil engineering, hydrology, environmental science, and project management is essential, along with a comprehensive understanding of the ecological, regulatory, and safety aspects of dam removal. We are focusing on integrated water resources management—implementing watershed‑based approaches to reconnecting rivers and ecological processes. As part of this watershed‑based approach, the ideal candidate will be adept at managing multi‑disciplinary teams on complex, multi‑stakeholder projects both large and small.

Experience in managing fish passage, dam and barrier removal, river and floodplain reconnection, and habitat restoration projects is preferred. Experience working on water resources infrastructure projects in and around dams, hydropower facilities, pump stations, flood control structures, canals and canal intakes, fish screens, fish ladders, and other fish passage facilities is also a plus.

• Develop, manage, and maintain client relationships.
• Identify project opportunities, actively pursue opportunities, and prepare proposals.
• Manage projects by establishing project deliverables, developing the project team, managing changes to project scope, establishing communications plans, and monitoring and controlling project work.
• Collect and analyze field data, as‑built plans and engineering reports to establish existing conditions and identify critical areas for design criteria.
• Lead the planning, design, and implementation of fish passage, dam removal, and river and floodplain restoration projects from inception through completion.
• Collaborate with civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, in addition to geomorphologists, environmental scientists, hydrologists, and other subject matter experts to develop and evaluate alternatives and associated impacts of ecosystem restoration, river and floodplain restoration, and dam removal.
• Develop instream flow and site assessments, hydraulic modeling, and geotechnical evaluations to inform removal strategies.
• Conduct environmental impact studies and risk assessments to determine potential ecological consequences of dam removal.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal environmental regulations, including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA).
• Provide engineering analysis for dam removal, including working with other team members to develop geotechnical investigations, topobathymetric surveys, structural stability analyses, and hydraulic and sediment transport models.
• Design and optimize engineering solutions to ensure safe and effective removal while minimizing disruption to surrounding environments.
• Working with McMillen’s Design Technology Team, develop engineering plan sets across a range of design milestones, including Issued for Construction.
• Working with multidisciplinary engineering project teams, develop construction specifications across a range of design milestones, including Issued for Construction.
• Manage the scheduling, budgeting, and coordination of all project phases.
• Supervise the preparation of project reports, grant proposals, and other documentation for stakeholders.
• Ensure that all ecosystem restoration and dam removal activities comply with safety standards and best practices.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement safety protocols to protect personnel, wildlife, and the public.
• Engage with local communities, government agencies, tribal stakeholder, and non‑profit organizations to promote dam removal projects and gain public support.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to stakeholders, explaining the benefits of ecosystem restoration and dam removal as well as adaptive management, connecting people and nature.
• Oversee…