Water Resources Project Manager

JMT; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Health Insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson (JMT) seeks a Water Resources Project Manager for Colorado-focused drainage and stormwater programs. The role manages delivery from planning through construction support, coordinating with CDOT, local agencies, and municipalities along the Front Range.

The ideal candidate brings 7+ years in drainage engineering, a PE license or ability to obtain, and strong leadership and communication skills to mentor staff and grow client relationships in the Denver metro area.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited program.
• Colorado Professional Engineer license or ability to obtain licensure within 6 months.
• 7+ years of drainage engineering experience.
• 2+ years of design oversight and training junior staff.
• Experience with CDOT drainage design for transportation projects.
• Familiarity with CDOT drainage criteria, Mile High Flood District standards, and Denver-area local agency requirements.
• Proficiency with Open Roads Designer, Open Roads Drainage, and Utilities modeling.
• Experience with HEC-RAS 1D/2D and stormwater management design; HEC-HMS.
• Strong communication skills and ability to lead and mentor staff.
• Ability to build client relationships and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee CDOT drainage reports, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, and PS&E drainage design.
• Lead project(s) within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Coordinate with disciplines and subconsultants to develop project scope and fee.
• Prepare project plans, management plans, and quality management procedures.
• Create and maintain project schedules and manage subconsultants.
• Monitor progress, identify risks, and propose extra work orders.
• Communicate project status to stakeholders and participate in financial status meetings.
• Develop relationships with CDOT, Mile High Flood District, and local agencies.
• Apply Colorado drainage criteria to deliver practical, approvable solutions.
• Lead status updates and presentations; support marketing and proposal development.
• Coordinate technical resources and mentor project team, including one-on-one check-ins.

Job description

Job Description

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee‑owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #45 on Engineering News‑Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee‑owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #45 on Engineering News‑Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

What You Will Help Us Build:

If you are a Colorado Water Resources professional who enjoys leading projects, developing client relationships, mentoring staff, and solving complex technical challenges, this role offers the opportunity to help grow JMT’s presence along the Front Range. We are looking for an experienced project manager with CDOT drainage experience and strong working knowledge of Mile High Flood District standards, Denver‑area municipalities, surrounding counties, and local stormwater requirements.

Why JMT:

At JMT, you will join an employee‑owned firm where technical excellence, collaboration, and accountability drive everything we do. Our Water Resources practice delivers transportation, municipal, drainage, floodplain, stormwater, and water quality projects across Colorado and the broader Mountain West, with a focus on practical solutions that meet CDOT, Mile High Flood District, municipal, county, and regional criteria.

As a Project Manager, you will have the opportunity to lead meaningful Colorado projects, work alongside experienced technical leaders, mentor developing staff, and build trusted relationships with transportation and local government clients throughout the Denver metro area and surrounding communities.

Position Summary:

The Water Resources Project Manager is responsible for managing the delivery of Colorado water resources projects from planning through design and construction support. This role includes project management, client coordination, technical oversight, business development support, and mentoring of junior staff. The Project Manager will lead multidisciplinary teams while delivering high‑quality solutions for CDOT transportation projects, Denver‑area municipal and county stormwater programs, drainage improvements, floodplain studies, and water quality projects.

Compensation for this position is $130,000 - $180,000.00/hour, commensurate with experience, education and certifications. The provided range is a good faith estimate based on the requirements described within the job description. We notice that we receive a wide variety of applicants and recognize that the person selected may be less experienced or more experienced. If so, the actual salary range may vary from the estimate provided.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the completion of CDOT drainage reports, hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, and PS&E drainage design for complex transportation and local agency projects
• Manages project(s) in accordance with scope, schedule, and budget
• Collaborates with disciplines and subconsultants to develop a risk adverse project scope and fee
• Develop project specific project plans, Project Management Plans/quality management plan
• Create and maintain project schedules
• Manage subconsultants
• Monitor and execute project progress, including identifying and mitigate risks, developing extra work order requests and open‑end contract task proposals
• Communicate project status, updates, and issues to internal and external stakeholders
• Participate in office’s project financial status meetings
• Build relationships with CDOT, Mile High Flood District, Denver‑area municipalities, surrounding counties, and local clients to understand preferences, requirements, and delivery expectations
• Apply Colorado-specific drainage, floodplain, stormwater, detention, water quality, and permitting criteria to develop practical, approvable project solutions
• Prepare progress reports and review invoices
• Develop and lead in project status and presentations
• Assist Section Heads, Office Leaders, and Practice Leaders with the marketing process including, SMART Go/No Go decisions, proposal development, and interviews
• Coordinate and guide all technical resources within the project team to ensure delivery of a high‑quality outcome
• Providing coaching and mentorship to the project team through one‑on‑one check‑in meetings and various project debriefs to acknowledge achievements, identify areas for improvement, and share lessons learned
• Lead and manage team members by providing leadership and continuous performance management (setting expectations, goals, feedback, 1:1 meeting, coaching) that supports the growth and development of team

Nonessential Functions And Responsibilities

• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from an ABET accredited engineering program
• Colorado Professional Engineer license or the ability to obtain Colorado licensure within 6 months of hire
• 7+ years of experience in drainage engineering
• 2+ years of design oversight and training junior staff
• Experience with CDOT drainage design for transportation projects
• Familiarity with CDOT drainage criteria, Mile High Flood District standards, and Denver‑area local agency requirements
• Experience with Open Roads Designer production and Open Roads Drainage and Utilities modeling.
• Experience with HEC‑RAS 1D and 2D roadway drainage applications and stormwater management design
• Experience in HEC‑HMS software.
• Understanding of complex stormwater and drainage concepts
• Strong oral and written communication skills for preparation of project reports
• Ability to lead and serve as technical advisor in leading and training junior engineering staff
• Ability to build client relationships
• Candidates must be capable of working on multiple projects in a dynamic, fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment

Qualifications Preferred

• Experience as responsible drainage task lead or deputy task lead for complex H&H schematic and PS&E projects involving modeling, design, and drainage reports.
• Experience working with CDOT, Mile High Flood District, Denver, surrounding municipalities, and county clients along the Front Range
• 2‑D HEC‑RAS, SWMM, ARC‑GIS experience
• Erosion and sediment control design
• Colorado stormwater quality, detention, erosion control, and MS4 permitting experience
• Familiarity with watersheds CLOMR/LOMR and FEMA floodplain mapping

Working Conditions

Work is performed within a general office environment 95% of the time. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. within the office environment.

Field work is required on occasion where work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Some lifting (up to 25‑lbs) may be required as needed.

Benefits

JMT offers outstanding opportunities for career and professional growth. We are 100% employee‑owned (ESOP) and offer outstanding health care coverage and other benefits, including:

• Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Caregiver Leave Program
• 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Career Development Programs
• And more…
• Benefits | JMT

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.