Water Resources Designer 2

Are you passionate about water resources engineering and ready to take on meaningful challenges that shape communities and natural systems? DOWL is seeking a motivated and highly skilled Water Resources Engineer to join our Surface Water Group in Reno, Nevada. This role offers the opportunity to work on diverse and impactful projects involving drainage design, river engineering, stormwater, floodplains, dams and irrigation infrastructure.

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multidisciplinary consulting firm with more than 60 years of experience delivering innovative civil engineering solutions. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. Our Surface Water Group in the Water and Environmental Service practice area is recognized for its expertise in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, drainage design, bridge and scour design, floodplain studies, and rehabilitation of dams and other hydraulic structures. As part of our team, you will contribute to projects that address critical water management challenges, from aging infrastructure rehabilitation and flood risk reduction to stormwater conveyance and river system improvements.

At DOWL, we are committed to developing exceptional engineers through meaningful project experience. You’ll collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, apply advanced tools and modeling software, and take on a wide range of responsibilities spanning both office and field work. We foster a culture grounded in integrity, professionalism, innovation, and teamwork, where your contributions are valued, your growth is supported, and your work makes a lasting difference.

DOWL provides a comprehensive benefits package to support the health and financial well-being of our full-time employees and their families. DOWL offers a High-Deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) (including employer contribution).  Other benefits include flexible spending account, dental, vision, life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, dependent care account, employee assistance program, a 401(k) plan with discretionary employer contributions for matching, profit sharing, student debt repayment, paid time off, paid holidays. Paid Time Off (PTO) accrues at a minimum of 16 days per year and accruals being on first day of employment.  Employees also receive nine paid holidays throughout the calendar year. For more details and eligibility please visit Careers - DOWL.                                                                                                                                                                                            

Summary

The Water Resources Designer 2 performs basic to intermediate planning, analysis, and design for a variety of water resource projects including irrigation canals, dams, storm drainage systems, stream restoration and fish passage, bridges and culverts, and more. Duties will include moderately complex field investigations and inspections, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, watershed modeling, alternatives analysis, design and drafting, cost estimating, technical report writing, assist with preparation of scope and budgets for new projects, and other tasks, as assigned, with limited oversight. The person in this position is expected to exercise a strong work ethic, a desire to learn new design concepts, and have good organizational and communication skills. A Water Resources Designer 2 should demonstrate developing proficiency with drafting and design software and be familiar with 2D and 3D design concepts. This person is expected to work well with others, absorb and apply constructive criticism, and seek guidance from more experienced members of the team as necessary. This position will work under the guidance of a licensed professional engineer.

Job Responsibilities and Duties

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Software

• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel) - Intermediate
• Market Sector Software – Intermediate (including HY-8, HEC-RAS 1D & 2D, HEC-HMS, HEC-SSP, SRH2D, and various rainfall simulation models)

Technical Expertise

• Intermediate understanding of technical fundamentals
• Performs basic technical tasks assigned by others with limited oversight
• Performs self-review of basic deliverables
• Eager to learn and expand skill set
• Basic awareness of technical aspects of other market sectors

Teamwork

Functions in a supporting role on a project. Follows the direction of others, asks good questions, retains information provided, and shares information with and trains less experienced team members.

Project Delivery

Produces the following with limited direction/oversight from others:

• Site investigation
• Design calculations
• Technical reports and memos
• Exhibits and figures
• Construction quantity calculations and cost estimates
• Design documents and construction plans
• Complete technical sections of permit applications
• Presentation content and slides
• Prepare content for bidding addenda
• Construction inspection of designed components

Understanding Budget and Schedule

Intermediate understanding of scopes, schedules, and budgets. Predicts the level of effort for individual tasks with guidance and successfully deliver tasks within that level of effort. Self-monitors budgets and schedules for tasks on moderately complex projects.

Industry Standards and Regulations

• Intermediate ability to read and interpret applicable design standards and technical guidance documents identified by more senior staff
• Basic ability to identify applicable design standards and technical guidance

Client Interaction

Limited direct interaction, commonly in group settings. Responds to emails, attends meetings, and answers questions/comments with limited autonomy.

Other

Other duties as assigned.

Level of Work/Accountability

Performs moderately complex technical work on projects for the market sector. Operates with limited autonomy - work is supervised and reviewed by more senior staff.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Years of experience required: 2 years
• Years of experience required with advanced degree: 1 year

 Desired qualifications also include:

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• An academic emphasis in hydrology and/or hydraulics

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• EIT/EI required
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and use hands. The employee must occasionally navigate uneven terrain during site visits for engineering investigations and construction observation. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.