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Flood Risk Management Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Water Resources Engineer

Sacramento, CA

$84K - $115K/yr

Project types will include dam safety analysis, flood risk analysis for planning and asset management, FERC relicensing, water supply, flood management, and environmental mitigation support for flood ...

Water Resources Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

Project types will include dam safety analysis, flood risk analysis for planning and asset management, FERC relicensing, water supply, flood management, and environmental mitigation support for flood ...

Flood risk management, FERC relicensing, and ecological enhancement projects * Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead technical tasks within multi-disciplinary project teams. * Support project ...

Water Resources Engineer - Modeler

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

Flood risk management, FERC relicensing, and ecological enhancement projects * Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead technical tasks within multi-disciplinary project teams. * Support project ...

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Showing results 1-20

Flood Risk Management information

See California salary details

$42.9K

$102.3K

$165.3K

How much do flood risk management jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for flood risk management in California is $102,346.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $130,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Flood Risk Management vs Floodplain Management?

AspectFlood Risk ManagementFloodplain Management
Primary FocusAssessing and reducing flood risks through planning, engineering, and policyManaging land use and development in flood-prone areas to minimize damage
CertificationsEnvironmental, civil engineering, or hydrology credentials often requiredEnvironmental planning, land use planning certifications common
Work EnvironmentField surveys, modeling, policy developmentLand use planning, community engagement, regulatory work
Industry UsageUsed by government agencies, environmental firms, urban plannersUsed by urban planners, environmental agencies, local governments

While both roles aim to mitigate flood impacts, Flood Risk Management focuses on assessing and reducing flood hazards through engineering and policy, whereas Floodplain Management emphasizes land use planning to prevent development in flood-prone areas. Understanding these differences helps clarify career paths and project scopes within flood-related fields.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in Flood Risk Management, and how are these typically addressed within a team setting?

Professionals in Flood Risk Management often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing environmental conditions, complex regulatory requirements, and the need to balance technical solutions with community interests. These challenges are typically addressed through close collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, environmental scientists, urban planners, and local authorities. Regular team meetings and project updates help ensure everyone stays informed and can quickly adapt strategies as new data or regulations emerge. Additionally, professionals often engage in ongoing training to stay current with industry best practices and technological advancements, which supports effective problem-solving and continued career growth.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Flood Risk Management, and why are they important?

To excel in Flood Risk Management, you need expertise in hydrology, environmental science, data analysis, and a degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related field. Familiarity with GIS software, flood modeling tools (such as HEC-RAS or MIKE FLOOD), and relevant certifications like Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) are typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and project management make professionals stand out in this area. These skills and qualifications are crucial for accurately assessing risks, designing effective mitigation strategies, and ensuring the safety and resilience of communities against flooding.

What is flood risk management?

Flood risk management is the process of assessing, planning, and implementing measures to reduce the likelihood and impact of flooding on communities, infrastructure, and the environment. It involves analyzing flood hazards, mapping risk areas, developing warning systems, and designing structural and non-structural solutions like levees, zoning regulations, and emergency preparedness plans. The goal is to minimize damage, protect lives, and enhance community resilience in the face of potential flooding events.
What are popular job titles related to Flood Risk Management jobs in California? For Flood Risk Management jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Flood Risk Management jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Flood Risk Management jobs in California are:
Flood Risk Engineering Program Manager

Flood Risk Engineering Program Manager

Tetra Tech, Inc.

Irvine, CA • On-site

$138K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Tetra Tech rating

5.8

Company rating: 5.8 out of 10

Based on 40 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

332nd of 352 rated engineering


Job description

We are seeking a Flood Risk Engineering Program Manager for our Flood Risk Team with Federal, State, and Local flood risk management engineering and project design expertise. This role will take the lead on a portfolio of unique and exciting projects to solve complex flood risk problems and implement award-winning projects.
This role will provide the unique opportunity to lead large and impactful projects with strategic clients including several large On-Call contracts with the USACE, NRCS, USBR, and Counties of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Orange, and San Diego. The projects offer experience in various markets allowing you to take a prominent leadership position managing teams. These projects also offer the opportunity to develop your creative worth as you engineer solutions to the community's highly visible flood risk issues. The portfolio of projects are in the areas of Civil Works including; hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis, hydraulic design, flood risk design, inspection, risk assessment, and construction document preparation.
This position would be associated with our Irvine, CA office.
More About This Role:
This is an engaging and high impact position in which your responsibilities will include the following:
  • Project and Program Management - Manage teams of engineers and scientists to strategically deliver innovative solutions. Creatively manage project constraints of scope, schedule, and budget on large, complex, and impactful projects. This includes supervising, planning, designing, prioritizing, and providing PM expertise for projects focused on flood risk management. Provide exceptional quality assurance and quality control on client deliverables.
  • Technical Project Leadership - Lead flood risk infrastructure design development, ensuring design disciplines work collaboratively, efficiently, and effectively and meet regulatory requirements. You will take a leadership role prepare feasibility studies, design plans, specifications, cost estimates, technical documents, and contracts.
  • Business Development - Capitalize on our substantial existing on-call contracts with several major Federal and Southern California clients to identify and target opportunities. This includes building internal and external teams that can effectively compete, win, and perform work. Participate in strategic marketing discussions and lead proposal development.
  • Team Leadership and Professional Development - Oversee and support a team of engineers and scientists, providing clear direction and professional guidance. Your role involves fostering a productive and collaborative team environment, emphasizing continuous improvement and skill development to enhance project outcomes and individual career growth.

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree (Master's Preferred) in Civil, Environmental Engineering or related engineering discipline.
  • Registered PE in California.
  • 10-20+ years of progressive experience conducting feasibility studies (concept through implementation) and analysis of flood risk management projects for municipalities within CA and nationwide.
  • Experience as Engineer of Record for the construction of flood risk management projects.
  • Ability to lead a multi-disciplined team of engineers and designers in the preparation of construction, drawings, details, specifications, calculations, and engineer's estimates of probable construction costs.
  • Recent experience with the most current criteria for the design of levees and dams.
  • Working knowledge of USACE guidelines and FEMA NFIP required within Southern California or the Southwest is a plus.
  • Direct experience working with clients in Southern California or the Southwest region is preferred, but not required.

What We Can Offer You:
  • Competitive Salary and Benefits: Competitive compensation packages that recognize the value and experience you bring, complemented by a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.
  • Advanced Career Development Opportunities: Provide tailored career development opportunities that align with your aspirations and expertise, including leadership training, advanced certifications, and opportunities to lead groundbreaking projects.
  • Excellence and Achievement Awards: Thrive in an environment where excellence is recognized, reflecting our commitment to sharing success.
  • Rich Portfolio of Projects: Benefit from the unique opportunity to work on a wide variety of engineering projects, from innovative, specialized tasks to large-scale, high-profile initiatives, enabling professional growth and contributing to impactful, industry-leading work.
  • Resource Availability: Take advantage of the extensive resources and tools available in our organization to support your project work, professional development, and career advancement.
  • Sustained Excellence and Stable Growth: Tetra Tech has ranked No. 1 in Water in ENR's "Top 500 Design Firms" for the 20th year in a row. In recent years, our company has continued to expand its reach, diversify its project portfolio, and increase its workforce, demonstrating our stability and the trust our clients place in us.
  • Flexibility: Flexibility and remote work options that allow our employees to balance quality work and their personal lives.

The salary range for this position is $135,000-$200,000 depending on education, skills, experience, and location.
About Tetra Tech:
Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.
Tetra Techis proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
We invite applications from all interested parties.
Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:
LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers
X (Twitter): @TetraTechJobs

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