Water Resources Engineering Specialist

STV; Columbia (SC); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Job summary

STV in Columbia, SC is seeking an entry-level Water Resources Engineering Specialist to join our growing team. You will assist with drainage and stormwater design, develop plans and calculations, and support hydrologic/hydraulic analyses for SCDOT and municipal clients.

You will work under licensed engineers, gain hands-on design experience, and use MicroStation/ORD and StormCAD. Hybrid work in Columbia or North Charleston with professional development opportunities is offered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field; hydrology/water resources coursework.
• Foundational understanding of stormwater drainage, hydrology, hydraulics, and design principles.
• Ability to prepare accurate technical calculations and documentation; strong written skills.
• Collaborative, willing to learn DOT/municipal design standards; travel ~15%.

Responsibilities

• Assist with drainage and stormwater design for roadway/bridge/culvert projects.
• Develop drainage plans and calculations; produce construction-level sheets using MicroStation/ORD.
• Support hydrologic/hydraulic modeling and related reports.
• Assist with permitting documentation and QA/QC per DOT standards.
• Prepare quantities, specs, and cost estimates; coordinate with multiple disciplines.
• Participate in field visits, data collection, and project coordination.
• Perform design checks and respond to review comments; meet schedules and budgets.

Skills

Stormwater design

Hydrology

Hydraulics

Technical calculations

Written communication

Team collaboration

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

EIT certification (preferred)

Tools

MicroStation

OpenRoads Designer

StormCAD

Geopak

ArcGIS Pro

HEC-HMS

HEC-RAS

FHWA HY-8

Job description

STV has an opportunity for an entry-level Water Resources Engineering Specialist to join our growing South Carolina team. Working closely with project managers and under the supervision of licensed professional engineers, this individual will support the planning, design, and delivery of drainage improvements, stormwater management, and hydrologic/hydraulic analyses for SCDOT, municipal, and other transportation clients. The position offers hands‑on design experience, exposure to multidisciplinary transportation projects, and opportunities for technical and professional development.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with drainage and stormwater design for roadway, bridge, culvert, intersection, and municipal infrastructure projects, including storm drains, culverts, stormwater management facilities, green stormwater infrastructure, and erosion and sediment control.
• Develop drainage plans, profiles, details, calculations, and construction‑level plan sheets using MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (ORD), including drainage modeling tools such as StormCAD, under the direction of PMs and senior staff.
• Support hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and the preparation of culvert/bridge studies, stormwater management reports, floodplain analyses, and other technical reports.
• Assist with stormwater permitting documentation, NPDES/MS4 compliance, and application of SCDOT and local government drainage standards, specifications, design manuals, and QA/QC procedures.
• Prepare supporting quantities, specifications, engineer’s cost estimates, and inputs to project scopes of work and schedules.
• Coordinate drainage designs with roadway, structures, utilities, maintenance of traffic (MOT), environmental, and other project disciplines; participate in project development and coordination meetings.
• Perform design checks, respond to review comments, and help deliver accurate work products on established schedules and budgets.
• Participate in field visits, data collection, and project coordination as needed; perform other related engineering duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline, including coursework in hydrology and water resources; recent graduates are encouraged to apply.
• Foundational understanding of stormwater drainage, hydrology, hydraulics, and engineering design principles.
• Ability to prepare accurate technical calculations and documentation, with strong written communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team and willingness to learn applicable DOT and municipal design standards.
• Ability to travel occasionally to project sites and meetings; approximately 15% regional travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) certification or eligibility to pursue EIT certification.
• Internship, co‑op, academic project, or up to two years of relevant experience in drainage, stormwater, water resources, or transportation engineering.
• Academic or practical exposure to MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer/StormCAD, Geopak, ESRI ArcGIS Pro, PC or XP SWMM, FHWA HY‑8, Hydraulic Toolbox, HEC‑HMS, or HEC‑RAS.
• Familiarity with SCDOT design criteria, NPDES permitting, stormwater BMPs, erosion and sediment control, or similar DOT/municipal requirements is a plus.

Work Environment & Development

This is a hybrid position based in STV’s Columbia or North Charleston office. Hybrid work arrangements, including up to two remote days per week where approved, are subject to business needs and may change. The successful candidate will work alongside experienced engineers and contribute to transportation projects across South Carolina and the broader region. STV supports professional development, continuing education, and progression toward professional licensure.

Benefits

STV offers eligible employees a comprehensive benefits program that may include medical, dental, and vision coverage; flexible spending and health savings account options; disability and life insurance; a 401(k) plan; paid time off and holidays; parental leave; employee assistance resources; and continuing education and professional licensure support. Benefits are subject to applicable plan terms.

STV is an equal opportunity employer.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Compensation Range

$64,848.58 - $74,112.66

STV offers the following benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Back‑Up Dependent Care
• Parental Leave
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good‑faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.