Water Resources Scientist

HDR, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Water Resources Scientist to join our Des Moines, IA team. You will focus on flood risk reduction projects, hydraulics, and water resource studies, supporting engineers with modeling, design calculations, and environmental documentation.

As an employee-owned firm, HDR encourages collaboration across disciplines to deliver sustainable water solutions for communities. This role offers a full-time schedule and opportunities to grow within the Water Business Group.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences or closely related field.
• Knowledge of wetland delineation, field investigation techniques, and agency coordination requirements.
• Excellent writing and communication skills; MS Office experience.

Responsibilities

• Focus on water resources projects including flood risk reduction, levees, dam and spillway rehabilitation, flood control, channel restoration/rehabilitation, grade control structures, wetland and lake restoration, stormwater detention and conveyance, and riverine structures.
• Work under project engineers on the application of design engineering and modeling techniques for federal, state and local municipalities.
• Focus on hydraulics and hydrologic modeling, stormwater collection systems modeling, data collection, assimilation, and presentations.
• Produce design calculations, draft technical reports and perform water resources studies.
• Perform other duties as needed.
• Work under supervision of mid-level and senior water resource engineers.
• Assist with environmental permits and other environmental compliance documentation.
• Assist in field work associated with the collection of water resource data.

Skills

Writing & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences

Tools

MS Office

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you'll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

In the role of Water Resources Scientist, we'll count on you to:

• Focus on water resources projects including flood risk reduction, levees, dam and spillway rehabilitation, flood control, channel restoration/rehabilitation, grade control structures, wetland and lake restoration, stormwater detention and conveyance, and riverine structures.
• Work under project engineers on the application of various design engineering and modeling techniques in the development of water resource projects for federal, state and local municipalities
• Focus on hydraulics and hydrologic modeling, stormwater collection systems modeling, data collection, assimilation, and presentations
• Produce design calculations, draft technical reports and perform water resources studies
• Perform other duties as needed
• Work under the supervision of mid-level and senior water resource engineers
• Take responsibility for assisting with environmental permits and other environmental compliance documentation
• Assist in field work associated with the collection of water resource data

#LI-SG4

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Sciences or closely related field
• Knowledge of wetland delineation, field investigation techniques, and agency coordination requirements
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• MS Office experience
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-Iowa-Des Moines

Other Locations: United States-Iowa-Cedar Rapids

Industry: Water

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Dams Levees Civil Works

Job Posting: Oct 20, 2026