Senior Practice Leader - Water

GEI Consultants; Charlottesville (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid Work Schedules

GEI University and Tuition Reimb.

Paid Holidays and PTO

Benefits Package

Job summary

GEI Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Senior Water Engineer/Practice Leader in Virginia to drive technical excellence and market growth in Water Resource services.

The role blends leadership with client development, managing complex dam, levee, and water conveyance projects across civil/geotechnical domains. The ideal candidate will have 12+ years in civil/geotechnical engineering, PE licensure, and a proven track record of expanding client bases and delivering multi-disciplinary projects.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Civil, Structural, or Geotechnical engineering; MS preferred.
• 12+ years in civil/geotechnical engineering with 10+ years in project management.
• PE license required.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial attitude with ability to generate new work and grow a business segment.

Responsibilities

• Lead growth in the Water Resource market for Western Virginia and surrounding areas.
• Manage projects and staff with technical leadership, oversight, and mentoring.
• Develop and maintain client relationships through regular market engagement and industry events.
• Provide technical assistance and project management for dams, levees, and water control structures.
• Assist in recruiting and training additional staff.
• Travel 10–20% overnight.

Skills

Business development

Project management

Technical leadership

Staff mentoring

Client relations

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural/Geotechnical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Professional Engineer license

Tools

Microsoft Office

Engineering software

Job description

Senior Water Engineer/Practice Leader - Virginia

GEI is expanding, and we are seeking a Senior Engineer/Practice Leader experienced in civil, geotechnical, geostructural and/or water resource engineering to add technical and business development expertise to our growing market in Virginia. The selected candidate will work closely with the senior leadership in our MidAtlantic Area offices to lead our growth within the Water Resource market of Western Virginia and surrounding areas. This role could be a hybrid role with the ability to periodically visit our office in Charlottesville, VA, and other regional offices.

• Focus on business development and market expansion including service cross selling.
• Maintain high visibility in the marketplace through regular client contact, participation in client based professional organizations, and attendance and presentations at industry events.
• Manage projects and staff, including technical leadership and oversight, construction management, risk management, and mentoring.
• Provide technical assistance and project management for work related to dams, levees, and other water control and conveyance structures, as related to geotechnical, constructionmanagement, or water resource related engineering, or general civil engineering.
• Assist in recruiting and training additional staff.
• Serve as a leadership role model for company culture and values across the organization.
• Overnight travel is required; approximately 10 to 20%.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of B.S. degree in Civil, Structural or Geotechnical Engineering or related field. M.S.preferred.
• 12 + years progressive experience in Civil, Structural or Geotechnical engineering with extensivetechnical background in field of expertise and at least 10+ years in a project management role.
• Recognized for technical excellence and development of client-focused, creative, and practicalsolutions.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial attitude and ability to generate new work and grow a businesssegment, with a proven track record of success.
• Demonstrated ability to support federal, state and local agencies in the Eastern US.
• Professional Engineering license required.

Desired Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Civil, Structural, or Geotechnical Engineering or related field
• Strong reputation in dams, levees, and hydropower services
• Strong theoretical background with experience in applying analyses to practical solutions,including computer modeling and seismic analysis and designs
• Ability to supervise and direct junior staff
• Office or Practice Area operational experience
• Candidates should be thoroughly familiar with computerized applications including Microsoftsoftware and engineering applications
• Knowledgeable of dam institutions and water and hydropower systems within the United Statesis desirable

We are GEI.

Some of the world’s most pressing problems – from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply – need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.

We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients’ most complex challenges.

With several offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry. See all our office locations here .

Employee-owned. Employee-focused.

As an employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs – we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded – which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI’s career site here .

GEI’s Total Rewards Package Includes

• Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
• Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
• Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
• Hybrid Work Schedules and Cell Phone Stipends
• GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
• Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
• Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
• Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
• Rewards and Recognition
• GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
• Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here )
• A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Functional Demands:

X

Sedentary

Light

Medium

Other

Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row)

Occasional

(0-35% of day)

Frequent

(33-66% of day)

(67-100% of day)

Not Applicable

6-8 hours

Standing

0-1 hour

Walking

0-1 hour

Climbing

X

Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds)

Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds)

Carrying objects

0-1 hour

Push/pull

X

Twisting

0-1 hour

0-1 hour

Reaching forward

0-1 hour

Reaching overhead

0-1 hour

X

3-5 hours

1-2 hours

Keyboard use/repetitive motion

6-8 hours

Taste or smell (taste=never)

0-1 hour

Talk or hear

3-5 hours

Accurate 20/40

Very Accurate 20/20

Not Applicable

Near Vision

X

Far Vision

X

Yes

No

Not Applicable

X

Sensory Requirements

Minimal

Moderate

Accurate

Not Applicable

Depth perception

X

Hearing

X

Reasonably Anticipated

Not Anticipated

X

Chemical

X

X

Extreme temperatures

X

Radiation

X

Uneven surfaces or elevations

X

X

Dust/particulate matter

X

Other (exposure risks):

X

8

10

12

Other work hours

GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.