Surface Water Manager

Lead, Model, Impact – Surface Water Manager

Location: Lee County, Florida – Your Coastal Career Awaits

Tired of the city rush? Ready to swap traffic jams for beaches, boating, and a balanced work-life? Lee County Natural Resources is seeking a Surface Water Manager who loves engineering, modeling, and problem-solving – and wants their work to truly matter.

This isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to:

• Lead a small, high-impact team of project managers and field staff.
• Drive hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for stormwater, floodplain, and infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with other County departments to solve real-world water challenges.
• Work on a diverse program spanning capital improvements, FEMA flood studies, citizen service requests, and more.

Here, structure meets flexibility. Work Monday–Friday, 8–5, with weekends free for Florida’s award-winning beaches – or a short drive to Tampa, Orlando, or Miami.

Why Engineers Love It Here

• Model, Mentor, Make an Impact: Lead projects, guide a small team, and help other departments succeed.
• Diverse, Meaningful Work: From stability analysis to citizen service requests, no two days are the same.
• Community-Focused: Your work protects water quality, guides sustainable development, and improves residents’ lives.
• Work-Life Balance: Set schedule, flexible environment, and room to enjoy life on the Gulf Coast.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Low-cost medical coverage, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, FRS, 11 paid holidays, and generous leave accruals.

Duties and Responsibilities

What You’ll Do

• Lead Lee County’s Surface Water Program as a technical and supervisory expert.
• Use modeling software (ICPR, SWMM, HEC-RAS) to evaluate stormwater, flood risk, and infrastructure stability.
• Review development plans, manage CIP and NIP projects, and coordinate with County and regional partners.
• Support other departments by providing hydrologic expertise and actionable solutions.
• Mentor your team, ensuring high-quality results and professional growth.
• Contribute to FEMA flood insurance studies, LOMRs, CLOMRs, and coastal risk mapping.

Education, Experience, Licensing

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, or a related field.
• 2 years of engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required, or can be obtained within a year.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Experience with hydrologic/hydraulic modeling software (ICPR, SWMM, HEC-RAS).
• Familiarity with FEMA floodplain mapping and NFIP.
• Experience collaborating with local governments and regional water management districts.

If you’re ready to trade city stress for a rewarding career in a stable, impactful, and diverse program – while living in a beautiful coastal community – Lee County is the place for you.

Supplemental Information

About Lee County Natural Resources

We protect, preserve, and enhance Lee County’s natural resources – water quality, wetlands, and coastal ecosystems. Our small, dynamic team drives a diverse program that helps other departments, supports the community, and delivers visible results. Your expertise will be central to ensuring Lee County remains environmentally responsible, resilient, and a vibrant place to live.

About Lee County:

Lee County is located in beautiful Southwest Florida and is home to over 700,000 residents. We are dedicated to serving our community with high-quality services and a focus on sustainability and innovation. Join us in making Lee County a great place to live, work, and visit. Find out more about Lee County at Lee County Government.

Ready to trade city stress for a career where your engineering expertise makes a difference – and your weekends are truly yours? Lee County is calling.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE/RECOVERY ACTIVITIES:

All County employees are required to work before, during, or after an emergency as needed. This may include temporarily being assigned to work and performing duties outside of the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.

DISCLAIMER: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this classification. All positions are subject to a criminal background check. A conviction in and of itself may not necessarily preclude employment. Some positions may be subject to a pre-employment drug screening. Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans, who claim and meet eligibility requirements of veterans preference, receive preference and priority in employment and are encouraged to apply.