Water Resources Engineer (Colorado Water Rights)

Orion Placement; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with employer match

Profit-sharing opportunities

Job summary

Orion Placement seeks an experienced Colorado water resources engineer to develop and support water rights applications, augmentation plans, and water accounting systems in Boulder. You will model allocations using RiverWare and Excel, evaluate supply scenarios, and assist with planning and operations within a collaborative team.

The role emphasizes strong Excel skills, knowledge of Colorado water rights, and potential PE registration within a year.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of Colorado water resources engineering experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, or related discipline.
• Strong understanding of Colorado water rights, water administration, and surface water modeling.
• Knowledge of groundwater principles and modeling, water quality, and water accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong technical analysis capabilities.
• PE registration or ability to obtain within one year.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Master's degree, GIS experience, and CDSS familiarity preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support Colorado water rights applications, augmentation plans, historical consumptive use analyses, and water accounting systems.
• Build and analyze water allocation models using RiverWare, StateMod, MODSIM, and Excel.
• Evaluate water supply scenarios, groundwater and surface water resources, and long-term water management strategies.
• Assist with water supply planning, demand studies, permitting, and system operations.
• Support water quality sampling, field measurements, data analysis, and technical reporting.
• Collaborate with engineers, clients, and water management professionals to develop effective solutions.
• Help coordinate daily water operations, including occasional limited weekend coverage through a rotating on-call schedule.

Skills

Water resources engineering

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering / water resources

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

RiverWare

StateMod

MODSIM

CDSS

Job description

Pay: $70,000.00 - $115,000.00 per year

Why This Is a Great Opportunity

• Make a meaningful impact on Colorado's water future through challenging, high-value engineering projects.
• Join a specialized, collaborative team where your expertise, creativity, and ideas truly matter.
• Work on diverse projects involving water rights, water supply planning, hydrologic modeling, and water quality.
• Enjoy a flexible work schedule with potential hybrid options after initial training.
• Receive excellent benefits, including generous PTO, health insurance, a 401(k) with employer match, and profit-sharing opportunities.
• Collaborate directly with experienced Professional Engineers while expanding your technical expertise and professional responsibilities.

Location: Boulder, CO. This is a full-time, primarily in-office opportunity with the potential to work remotely 1 to 2 days per week after initial onboarding and training. We value flexibility while maintaining strong team collaboration.

Note: We're seeking candidates with 4+ years of Colorado water resources engineering experience, familiarity with Colorado water rights, strong Excel skills, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Professional Engineer (PE) registration or plans to obtain it within one year of joining are required.

About Us

Confidential Employer.We're a specialized water resources consulting team passionate about solving complex water challenges through innovative engineering and practical solutions. Our work supports public agencies, agricultural operations, businesses, and other water users. We foster a collaborative, flexible environment where talented engineers can take ownership of meaningful projects and continue growing professionally.

Job Description

• Develop and support Colorado water rights applications, augmentation plans, historical consumptive use analyses, and water accounting systems.
• Build and analyze water allocation models using tools such as RiverWare, StateMod, MODSIM, and Excel.
• Evaluate water supply scenarios, groundwater and surface water resources, and long-term water management strategies.
• Assist with water supply planning, demand studies, permitting, and system operations.
• Support water quality sampling, field measurements, data analysis, and technical reporting.
• Collaborate with engineers, clients, and water management professionals to develop effective solutions.
• Help coordinate daily water operations, including occasional limited weekend coverage through a rotating on-call schedule.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of relevant Colorado water resources engineering experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources, Hydrology, Hydrogeology, or a related discipline.
• Strong understanding of Colorado water rights, water administration, and surface water modeling.
• Knowledge of groundwater principles and modeling, water quality, and water accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong technical analysis capabilities.
• PE registration or ability and intention to obtain registration within one year.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Master's degree, GIS experience, and familiarity with Colorado Decision Support System (CDSS) preferred.

Why You Will Love Working Here

We're a close-knit team that values innovative thinking, technical excellence, and genuine collaboration. You'll enjoy the opportunity to contribute directly to important water resources projects, learn from experienced professionals, and build a rewarding career in a supportive environment. With flexible scheduling, comprehensive benefits, and meaningful work, we offer an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

JPC-2633

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan