Water Resources Practice Lead

Bodwe Professional Services Group Companies

United States

Hybrid

USD 115,000 - 180,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Bodwé Group is seeking a Water Resources Practice Lead to steer and grow our water resources work, overseeing planning, design, and delivery of complex projects spanning stormwater management, dam safety, and watershed planning. This strategic role blends project leadership, client engagement, and staff development to drive excellence.

The position is hybrid with some travel (≤10%). A PE license and 12+ years in water resources engineering, including supervisory experience, are required.

Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Minimum 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in water resources engineering.
Minimum 3 years in a supervisory role.
Experience with Federal agency projects (e.g., BIA, NPS, USFWS, USACE) is highly preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Provide technical leadership on surface water hydrology, stormwater runoff, and dam safety.
Oversee project lifecycles from proposal to closeout, including scope, schedule, and budget.
Mentor and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
Lead business development, client engagement, and pursuit strategies.

Skills

Leadership & team management

Client relationship management

Business development

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Project management

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related field

Master’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related field

Tools

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

SWMM

XPStorm

MIKE FLOOD

GIS

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

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

TheWater ResourcesPractice Leadwilllead and growthe 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 blendsproject management,technical leadership, business development, staff management, and client engagement to drive excellence and innovation in water resources engineering.

Accommodation Requests

We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, contact our HR Director (April Hawkins) at 269-927-0144 or careers@bodwegroup.com

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The following inexhaustive list of duties represents a sample of work routinely performed by this role:

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 federal, state, municipal, 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

Education + Degree

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

Experience, Certification, or Licensure

Required: Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Preferred: NCEES Record.
Minimum 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in water resources engineering, including a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory role.
Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams and managing large-scale water infrastructure projects, including client management responsibilities.
Experience working on H&H projects for federal agencies (e.g. BIA, NPS, USFWS, USACE, etc.) is highly preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Business development experience with proven ability to win work and manage client relationships.
Must have Real ID or Passport in order to undergo commercial airfare travel.
Must have valid driver's license.

Technical + professional Skills

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).Master’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering, or related field.

Work Environment

For those who are local to theBodwéoffice in St. Charles, IL, thisis a hybrid position with periodic travel (≤ 10%) to project sites, client locations, or industry events.In certain instances, those who are not local, will be considered for a fully remote position; also, with periodic travel to project sites, client locations, industry events, and routine (at leastquarterly, butcould vary) visits to theBodwéoffice in St. Charles, ILto meet with team members and otherBodwéstaff.

This position 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.

This 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 personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required during these visits, depending on site conditions. While on site visits, an individual in this role will be required to work atypical hours at the request of the client or role demands.

Physical Demands

Sitting/Standing: This is a sedentary role most of the time. However, during field work this role requires the ability to be on your feet moving around a field location for most of the day.

Walking: This role requires the ability to move about outside in various geographic and building terrains to do field work.

Stooping/Kneeling/Crouching/Crawling: This role may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and ladder climbing as part of field work / verification activities.

Using Hands/Fingers: This role constantly operates technological office equipment such as laptop, mouse, keyboard, computer monitors, telephones, and scanners, copiers, and fax machines.

Talking/Hearing: This role requires constant communication with others in the organization to exchange information, review information, and make decisions about information.

Seeing: This role requires the ability to see, view, and distinguish all aspects of construction to ensure quality control.

Carrying/Lifting: This role requires lifting up to 30 lbs to transport technological office equipment, safety equipment, and other needed construction items to and from various workspaces.

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 purposes of this section, “qualified” means that the applicant meets the technical and experiential needs for employment; and “suitable” means that the candidate appears to be the best fit considering present circumstances and conditions. Targeted preference is in the following order: