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Dredging Jobs in Maine (NOW HIRING)

VHB

Structural Engineer - Waterfront - Marine

Portland, ME · Hybrid

$105K/yr

... dredging design and permitting * preparation of project specifications, bid and contract documents * construction contract administration * site inspections and reports Qualifications * B.S. in Civil ...

Air Force Global Strike Command

COOK

Ellsworth, ME · On-site +1

$19.96 - $23.29/hr

Prepares food by peeling, chopping, grinding, paring cutting, slicing, dicing, pureeing, dredging, flouring or breading; weighs, measures and assembles ingredients for regular menu items. Sets up and ...

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Dredging information

See Maine salary details

$13

$25

$40

How much do dredging jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for dredging in Maine is $25.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.96 and $27.69 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is dredging?

Dredging is the process of removing sediment, debris, and other materials from the bottom of bodies of water such as rivers, harbors, and canals. Professionals in dredging operate specialized equipment to excavate these materials, helping to maintain navigable waterways, prevent flooding, and support construction or environmental restoration projects. Their work ensures safe passage for ships, protects shorelines, and can also contribute to land reclamation and wetland restoration efforts.

What does a dredging operator do?

Dredging jobs focus on the removal of sediment from water routes, including streams, rivers, lakes, and artificially created areas. In this role, you operate a large piece of equipment known as a dredge. You also coordinate with a safety engineer and otherwise help ensure marine traffic can continue to work as normal. Many regions also dredge areas that host fish and wildlife, helping to ensure that the area remains safe for aquatic life. Outside of waterway cleaning, people sometimes hire dredges to create new waterways, excavate areas for future work, reclaim damaged areas, deepen existing waterways, or perform other maintenance. Dredging jobs often require traveling to different areas to work as needed, so you may be away from home for extended periods while on the job.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a dredging operator?

To thrive as a Dredging Operator, you need mechanical aptitude, knowledge of dredging techniques, and relevant certifications such as a heavy equipment operator license or maritime credentials. Familiarity with GPS navigation systems, dredging machinery, and safety protocols is typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities help operators adapt to changing conditions and maintain project efficiency. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring safe operations, minimizing environmental impact, and meeting project goals in marine and waterway construction.

What are some of the common challenges faced by professionals working in dredging operations?

Professionals in dredging often face challenges such as working in variable weather conditions, maintaining equipment in harsh marine environments, and adhering to strict environmental and safety regulations. Dredging projects can also require coordination with multiple stakeholders, including port authorities, marine engineers, and environmental agencies, which makes strong communication skills essential. Additionally, project timelines can be impacted by unexpected technical issues or regulatory changes, so adaptability and problem-solving abilities are highly valued in this role.

What is the difference between Dredging vs Excavation?

AspectDredgingExcavation
Primary PurposeRemoving sediment and debris from water bodiesDigging and removing earth from land surfaces
Work EnvironmentWaterways, ports, harborsConstruction sites, land development
Required CertificationsHeavy equipment operation, safety certificationsHeavy equipment operation, safety certifications
Industry UsageMaritime, environmental managementConstruction, infrastructure projects

While both dredging and excavation involve earth-moving activities, dredging focuses on removing sediment from water bodies to maintain navigability or environmental health, whereas excavation involves digging land for construction or development projects. Understanding these differences helps in selecting the right skill set and equipment for each task.

How do you become a dredging professional?

To become a dredging professional, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training or an apprenticeship in dredging operations. Relevant skills include knowledge of heavy machinery, safety procedures, and environmental regulations, and certifications such as OSHA safety training are often required.

Is dredging a hard job?

Dredging is physically demanding work that often involves operating heavy machinery in challenging outdoor environments. It requires technical skills, safety awareness, and sometimes certifications, making it a job that can be considered physically and technically challenging.
More about Dredging jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Dredging jobs in Maine?

The most popular types of Dredging jobs in Maine are:

What are popular job titles related to Dredging jobs in Maine?

For Dredging jobs in Maine, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Dredging jobs in Maine look for?

The top searched job categories for Dredging jobs in Maine are:

Dredging jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dredging job openings in Maine as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 50% In-person, 25% Hybrid, and 25% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $52,677 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Structural Engineer - Waterfront - Marine

VHB

Portland, ME • Hybrid

$105K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

VHB rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

287th of 450 rated engineering

Job description

Overview

ABOUT THE POSITION

For the second year in a row, VHB proudly celebrates our selection as a 2026 U.S. Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private* and The Wall Street Journal, the Best Managed Company program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies demonstrating excellence in four key areas: strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture and governance/financial performance. This year, 63 companies across the U.S. have been recognized, with VHB being one of only two AEC firms honored.

We're actively looking for Senior Level Waterfront Engineers to join our growing team. This fully supported role does have some flexibility on location within the VHB footprint. This position will assist with the planning, permitting and design of waterfront and coastal infrastructure throughout our footprint. Projects would vary, but include design of marinas, piers, bulkheads, seawall, revetments and marine terminal structures, and living shoreline stabilization.

The ideal candidate for this position will have technical experience in designing and permitting a variety of waterfront projects and be a licensed professional engineer. The candidate who fills this position will join a high performing team that provides clients with multi-disciplinary engineering and science-based solutions to coastal management challenges including coastal/waterfront engineering, coastal flood risk, resiliency and adaptation design, and dredged material management.

Responsibilities

  • Successfully support ongoing Waterfront/Coastal practice projects and business development efforts.
  • Assist in the development of qualifications and proposals for waterfront infrastructure and coastal resilience -related RFPs.
  • Assist and ultimately manage and perform engineering analysis, preliminary, and detail design of waterfront/coastal structures.
  • Assist and ultimately manage projects (scope, budget, schedule) and work with sub-consultants and team members and assure quality control of work throughout project execution, including:
    • all aspects for the design and permitting of waterfront developments including piers, marinas and boardwalks
    • analysis and design of structures for flood and erosion control such as seawalls, bulkheads, revetments and breakwaters, wave fences and fendering, and private and waterfront recreation structures such as fishing piers, marina docking structures, and boat launch ramps
    • contributing to living shoreline erosion solutions designs
    • conducting/reviewing technical analyses/calculations
    • completing mooring and berthing analyses and design
    • dredging design and permitting
    • preparation of project specifications, bid and contract documents
    • construction contract administration
    • site inspections and reports

Qualifications

  • B.S. in Civil, Structural, Waterfront, or Coastal Engineering. MS degree preferred.
  • 8-11 years of experience in Waterfront Engineering, including associated geotechnical and structural analysis.
  • Professional Engineer required, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
  • Knowledge of the regulatory processes in Rhode Island is preferred.
  • Experience with project delivery for multiple Federal, State and local coastal agencies/clients, specific experience with USACE, FEMA, USGS, NOAA preferred.
  • Knowledge of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program and experience implementing FEMA's coastal flood hazard analysis and mapping methodologies.
  • Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
  • Demonstrated technical and analytical skills, including technical writing and presentation skills.

Our best estimate of the salary range for this position located in Boston/Watertown, MA is $120,000-150,000 and in Portland, ME is $105,000 to 130,000. The final compensation will be based on a variety of factors such as individual qualifications, education, and experience.

 

Building what's next, together.

Our people make the difference. We foster a technology-empowered, peopledriven, futureready culture where agility, innovation, and collaboration shape how we work every day.

 

When you join VHB, you'll find:

  • Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact
  • A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success
  • Support to grow your skills and lead through change
  • Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI
  • Best-in-class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment

We're growing across the East Coast and are consistently recognized as a great place to work. Ready to shape what's next? Learn more about what sets our employee experience apart and connect with us.  

 

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Since our founding, we have intentionally fostered a culture of inclusion and belonging, supported by deep-rooted core values, one of which is diversity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

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Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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