Water/Wastewater Project Manager - Utility Management

Dewberry; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 167,000; Full time

Job summary

Dewberry seeks an experienced Project Manager to oversee modeling and master planning projects for public utilities, based in Fairfax or Richmond, VA.

The role requires strong leadership, communication, and the ability to guide engineers and professionals, develop scopes and budgets, and pursue new business opportunities while delivering high-quality results for communities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering (Master’s degree preferred).
• P.E. licensed in Virginia or ability to obtain via reciprocity within one year.

Responsibilities

• Manage a variety of water/wastewater modeling/master planning projects for public utility clients.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, and schedules.
• Contribute to business development, including proposals and client interaction.
• Mentor junior staff and provide technical guidance.
• Apply earned value management to project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Engage in professional associations and seminars to expand knowledge.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Earned value management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering

P.E. in Virginia

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Job Description

Dewberry is seeking an experienced Project Manager to manage and execute modeling and master planning projects for public utility clients. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join a team of energetic, highly engaged professionals in Dewberry’s Mid Atlantic Water Group. This position is available in both Fairfax and Richmond, Virginia. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to lead engineers and other professionals on a variety of projects, which may include but are not limited to the following areas:

• Sewer Collection System Modeling
• Water Distribution System Modeling
• Hydraulic Transient Analysis
• Water/Wastewater Master Planning
• Asset Management

With support from the enterprise, the successful candidate will be responsible for leading and growing a team to execute highly technical projects. The ideal candidate will have strong technical skills and be capable of pursuing new opportunities, assisting with technical proposals, and preparing project work plans and fee estimates.

Our water practice delivers high-quality, complex projects for top-tier water clients across the country. By combining strong local relationships with national expertise, strategic market focus, and innovative delivery approaches, our people perform meaningful work while shaping the future of water infrastructure. We’re looking for professionals who want to grow with us and help improve the water infrastructure for their communities.

Responsibilities

• Manage a variety of water/wastewater modeling/master planning projects for public utility clients.
• Manage the planning phase projects while interfacing and coordinating with other engineering disciplines, technicians, inspectors, and permitting specialists.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, and schedules.
• Contribute to the continued growth of our National Water Market Segment through performing business development and client management activities, including proposal preparation and client interaction through active participation in professional associations.
• Effectively understand and communicate project expectations to the project team and client.
• Conduct QA and QC reviews of other projects.
• Provide technical assistance and mentoring of junior staff.
• Employ earned value management principles to prepare and monitor project work plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Expand technical knowledge and professional network by attending seminars, workshops, and conferences, reviewing professional publications, and actively participating in State and/or National professional associations through committee involvement and technical presentations.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering. Master’s degree preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in the water/wastewater field.
• A minimum of 5 years of Project management experience.
• Thorough knowledge and ability to apply theories, principles, concepts, and practices of civil and environmental engineering to the planning of water, wastewater, and reclaimed water conveyance and treatment systems.
• Experience in wastewater and/or water modeling.
• A successful track record of managing projects, including scope, schedule, and budget.
• A successful track record in managing clients and developing new business.
• P.E. in Virginia required with the ability to obtain them through reciprocity within one year of the start date for New York, New Jersey, Maryland, DC, North Carolina, Florida, or South Carolina, as applicable.
• Must have proven and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Programming and/or scripting experience is preferred.

Compensation

The projected range for this position is $130,000 - $167,000 annually. Depending upon other factors such as skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.

Benefits and Policies

• Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.
• Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.
• Prior to a final offer of employment, the selected candidate will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.