Entry-Level (Staff) Water Resources Engineer

Schnabel Inc.; Longmont (CO); On-site; USD 62,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

Bonus program

Paid time off

9 Paid Holidays

Wellness program

Professional development and tuition

Job summary

Schnabel Inc. in Longmont, CO, is seeking a Staff Engineer (entry level) to join its water resources team. The role focuses on applying engineering expertise to develop innovative water supply solutions for projects across Colorado, with emphasis on understanding water policies and laws.

The position offers an opportunity to learn, grow professionally, and contribute to a growing team of engineers in a collaborative, employee-owned environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 0–2 years of experience in water resources, hydraulics, hydrology, or dams.
• Strong interest in water rights/resources engineering and related fields.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Positive attitude and ability to multi-task.
• Willingness to perform office and field work.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Assist in historical use analyses of water rights and related calculations.
• Review decrees for amounts, location, timing and limits.
• Assist in lagged groundwater depletion calculations.
• Assist in municipal and private water rights usage projections.
• Develop operations models for water availability and usage.
• Use ArcGIS to prepare maps and figures.
• Prepare technical reports and Water Court-related documents.
• Prepare data-driven graphics for reports and presentations.
• Travel may be required.

Skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Master’s in Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited)

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

Posting Details

• Posted on September 29, 2026

Locations

• Longmont, CO 80503, USA
• Engineering
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: ENTRY002396

Description

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in over 32 offices throughout the United States

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm

Benefit options include

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
• Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
• Long-term disability
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Bonus program
• Paid time off
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Wellness program
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description:

Do you have an interest in applying your engineering expertise toward providing innovative water supply solutions for projects across the state of Colorado? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! The water rights/water resources engineering team in the Longmont, Colorado office is seeking a Staff Engineer (entry level) who has a passion for solving complex problems, adaptability to draw from a diverse skillset, and the ability to learn the unique water policies and laws that form the foundation of nearly any water project in Colorado and the West. We are looking for entry-level or experienced candidates with high motivation, attention to detail, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of and provide leadership to a growing team.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist in performing historical use analyses of water rights including calculation of crop consumptive use, tabulation and analysis of diversions, analysis of water rights call records, calculation of conveyance losses, and estimation of return flows
• Review of water rights decrees regarding decreed amounts, location, timing, and limitations on water usage
• Assist in calculation of lagged groundwater depletion/accretion to stream systems
• Assist in calculation of historical and projected usage for municipal and private user water rights portfolios
• Assist in development of operations modeling to calculate historical and projected water availability and usage operations
• Use ArcGIS to prepare location maps and report figures, georeference aerial images and maps, delineate crop irrigated areas, and identify areas/structures of project interest
• Assist in preparation of technical reports, substitute water supply plans, and Water Court-related engineering reports
• Prepare data-driven graphics for engineering reports, professional papers, and presentations
• Some travel may be required

Required Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program.
• 0-2 years of relevant professional experience in water resources, hydraulics, hydrology, dams, or related engineering work.
• Strong interest or background in water rights/water resources engineering, hydraulics/hydrology, or agricultural engineering
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Positive attitude

• Ability to multi-task
• Strong work ethic and a desire for continual self-improvement
• Willingness to perform a variety of tasks including office and field work

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Prior internship or professional work in a related field
• Master’s in civil engineering from an ABET-accredited institution

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license as driving is an essential function of the job
• Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit check

• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening

The compensation range for this position is between $62,400 to $86,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.

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.