Water Resources Practice Lead

WBK Engineering, A Bodwé Company; United States; On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A professional services group in St. Charles, IL is seeking a Water Resources Practice Lead to oversee complex projects related to water management. The ideal applicant will hold a PE license and possess over 12 years of experience. Responsibilities include providing technical leadership, managing teams, and engaging with clients. This hybrid role requires up to 10% travel and includes significant project management responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in water resources engineering.
• Experience with climate-adaptive water infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert-level guidance on surface water hydrology and stormwater runoff.
• Oversee project lifecycles from proposal to closeout.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling

Business Development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

HEC-RAS

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Water Resources Practice Lead role at Bodwé Professional Services Group.

About Bodwé Group

Bodwé is the Professional Services Group of Mno-Bmadsen, the investment enterprise and a wholly owned instrumentality of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. We are architects, planners, consultants, designers, engineers, scientists, and federal contractors, committed to growing the economy and legacy of the Pokagon Band and supporting its more than 6,000 citizens. We provide value by integrating expertise across the natural and built environment lifecycle—from pre-development and planning to design, procurement, construction, and operations. By integrating expertise across architecture, engineering, construction, and facility management, we deliver holistic, end-to-end solutions that drive efficiency and deliver distinctive outcomes.

Position Summary

The Water Resources Practice Lead will lead and grow the firm’s water resources practice, overseeing the planning, design, and execution of complex projects related to stormwater management, drainage systems, flood control, dam safety, watershed planning, and environmental compliance. This strategic role blends technical leadership, business development, staff management, and client engagement to drive excellence and innovation in water resources engineering.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership
  • Provide expert-level guidance on surface water hydrology, stormwater runoff, urban/rural drainage, flood mitigation, dam design and safety, watershed modeling, and regulatory compliance.
  • Serve as a technical authority on water resources projects, including review and approval of key deliverables.
  • Stay ahead of evolving regulations and industry standards to ensure innovative, compliant, and sustainable solutions.
• Project & Practice Management
  • Oversee project lifecycles from proposal to closeout, including scope, schedule, budget, quality assurance, and risk management.
  • Develop and implement practice growth strategies in alignment with firm objectives.
  • Coordinate with other practice leaders and service areas to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Manage, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of engineers, designers, and technical specialists.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, professional development, and client-centered service.
• Business Development & Client Engagement
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal, state, federal, and private-sector clients.
  • Lead pursuit strategies, proposals, and presentations for key water resources opportunities.
  • Represent the firm in industry associations, public forums, and technical committees.

Qualifications And Experience

Required Education, Experience, and Technical Skills

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related field.

Experience, Certification, or Licensure

• Required: Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in water resources engineering.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and managing large-scale water infrastructure projects.
• Experience with resiliency planning and climate-adaptive water infrastructure.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Business development experience with proven ability to win work and manage client relationships.
• Proficiency with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software (e.g., HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, XPStorm, MIKE FLOOD).
• Experience with GIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and drainage analysis tools.
• In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks (e.g., FEMA, USACE, EPA, state and local stormwater and dam safety regulations).
• Must have Real ID or Passport in order to undergo commercial airfare travel.
• Must have valid driver's license.

Preferred Education, Experience, And Technical Skills

• Master’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related field.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• NCEES Record.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid position with periodic travel (≤ 10%) to project sites, client locations, or industry events. This role primarily operates in a professional office setting with standard office equipment and a quiet, climate-controlled environment. While in the office, there is no regular exposure to loud noise, hazardous materials, or heavy machinery. The role also requires periodic travel to project sites, including locations undergoing renovation or active construction. During site visits, the employee may be exposed to non-temperature-controlled environments, construction noise, dust, and other typical conditions found on job sites. Appropriate PPE may be required during these visits. On-site work may require atypical hours at the request of the client or role demands.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Native American Hiring Preference

Our Parent Company, Mno-Bmadsen, Prefers To Hire Pokagon Citizens Who Are Qualified And Suitable For Available Positions. For the purposes of this section, “qualified” means meeting the technical and experiential needs for employment, and “suitable” means appearing to be the best fit considering present circumstances. Preference is applied in the following order: (1) qualified Pokagon Band citizens; (2) qualified spouses and qualified custodial parents; (3) other qualified Native Americans; (4) all other qualified applicants. Determinations are at the discretion of each Company President.

Branch Infrastructure Services Branch

Entity WBK Engineering, LLC

Hours Per Week 40-40+

Work Arrangement Hybrid

Reports To Vice President, Civil Engineering

Manages Others Yes

Overnight Travel Up to 10%

Note: Referrals increase your chances of interviewing. This job is listed for Bodwé Professional Services Group in St. Charles, IL.