Water Resources Project Manager

VHB; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work environment

Career development opportunities

AI tools and training

Job summary

VHB’s Watertown/Boston team is seeking a Water Resources Project Manager to support water quality and stormwater regulatory planning and compliance. This role focuses on MS4 program management, policy review, asset management, resiliency planning, and related permit tasks.

The ideal candidate has a civil/environmental engineering background with 8–11 years in stormwater and regulatory work; licensure is preferred.

Qualifications

• BS in civil/environmental engineering or related discipline; master’s may substitute for 2 years of experience.
• 8–11 years of stormwater, water quality, and/or regulatory experience.
• Licensure preferred; experience supervising staff and managing projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a portfolio of water resources and stormwater projects with scope, budget, and schedule oversight.
• Mentor and lead an interdisciplinary water resources team with technical guidance and quality oversight.
• Plan delivery deadlines, deliverables, and tasks aligned with client goals and programs.
• Oversee field investigations including stormwater inspections and water quality sampling with QA/QC adherence.
• Analyze water quality and hydrologic data to develop actionable recommendations and implementation plans.
• Design and maintain data tools in ArcGIS to support data collection and reporting.
• Advise on complex stormwater regulatory requirements and develop compliance programs.
• Develop process improvements using automation, templates, and best practices.
• Coordinate preparation of permits and compliance reports with inputs from team members.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities for stormwater programs and utilities.

Skills

Project management

Technical writing

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Data analysis

Team leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Hydrologic modeling

Budget management

Communication

Education

BS in civil/environmental engineering or related discipline

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Spatial database development

Job description

ABOUT THE POSITION

VHB’s Watertown/Boston team is looking for a Water Resources Project Manager to join its dynamic team of Water Resource scientists and engineers and support our growing water quality and stormwater regulatory planning and compliance work. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a cutting edge, innovative team of multidisciplinary professionals supporting water resources projects such as MS4 stormwater program management, stormwater-related policy review and guidance, stormwater infrastructure asset management, resiliency planning, watershed management and stormwater treatment planning, stormwater master planning, and Clean Water Act permitting-related tasks.

Overview

VHB’s Watertown/Boston team is looking for a Water Resources Project Manager to join its dynamic team of Water Resource scientists and engineers and support our growing water quality and stormwater regulatory planning and compliance work. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a cutting edge, innovative team of multidisciplinary professionals supporting water resources projects such as MS4 stormwater program management, stormwater-related policy review and guidance, stormwater infrastructure asset management, resiliency planning, watershed management and stormwater treatment planning, stormwater master planning, and Clean Water Act permitting-related tasks.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities would include a range of activities which may include:

• Lead and manage a portfolio of water resources and stormwater projects, including scope development, task planning, budgeting, schedule management, and coordination with internal teams and clients.
• Serve as a mentor and day-to-day lead for an interdisciplinary water resources team, providing technical guidance, coaching, and quality oversight.
• Plan and track project delivery, including near-term deadlines, deliverables, and tasks, while proactively aligning work with long-term client goals and program needs.
• Plan and oversee field investigations, including stormwater system inspections, illicit discharge investigations, stormwater system mapping, and water quality sampling, ensuring adherence to safety, QA/QC, and data collection protocols.
• Analyze and interpret water quality, hydrologic, and asset management data to develop clear, actionable recommendations, decision-support materials, and implementation plans for clients.
• Design and maintain data management and visualization tools in ArcGIS (including ArcGIS Online and related platforms), supporting efficient data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Advise clients on complex stormwater regulatory requirements, and support the development and implementation of compliance strategies, programs, and standard operating procedures.
• Develop and implement process improvements for internal and client workflows to increase efficiency, quality, and feasibility, including the use of automation, templates, and best practices.
• Oversee and contribute to the preparation and QA/QC of technical reports, memoranda, maps, graphics, and guidance documents to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency with project objectives.
• Lead the preparation and coordination of federal, state, and local permit applications and compliance reports, including managing inputs from multidisciplinary team members.
• Identify and pursue funding opportunities for stormwater programs, including researching funding sources, preparing competitive grant applications, and supporting the development and implementation of stormwater utility/enterprise funds and related financial strategies.

Skills And Abilities

• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to solve problems and think creatively
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• Team oriented with strong capability to motivate others
• Strong technical writing and presentation skills
• Proficient in ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and spatial database development
• Proven project management skills including scope and fee development and budget and schedule tracking
• Strong understanding of environmental regulations, including the Clean Water Act, Massachusetts MS4 Permit, and Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act
• Effective data analysis and visualization skills
• Understanding of hydrologic processes, water quality treatment mechanisms, and drainage system design concepts
• Ability to travel, if required
• Experience with hydrologic/hydraulic modeling software a plus

Qualifications

• BS in civil/environmental engineering, environmental science or related discipline – master’s degree maybe substituted for 2 years of relevant experience.
• 8–11-year experience in stormwater, water quality, and/or regulatory experience
• Licensure preferred
• Experience supervising and mentoring staff and managing projects

Our best estimate of the salary range for this position located in Boston/Watertown, MA is $120,000-$145,000. The final compensation will be based on a variety of factors such as individual qualifications, education, and experience.

For the second year in a row, VHB proudly celebrates our selection as a 2026 U.S. Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private* and The Wall Street Journal, the Best Managed Company program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies demonstrating excellence in four key areas: strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture and governance/financial performance. This year, 63 companies across the U.S. have been recognized, with VHB being one of only two AEC firms honored.

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When You Join VHB, You’ll Find

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
• Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We’re growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what’s next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.