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Water Resources Manager Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Mid-Level Water Resources Engineer - FEMA

Durham, NC · Hybrid

$76K - $104K/yr

... Management Act (FEMA), and H&H models. Experience with natural channel stream design or strong ... Work with a team of water resources engineers, natural resource scientist, and GIS specialists

Water Resources Engineer I

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

This position will be responsible for storm water management, drainage design, hydrologic ... Experience using ArcGIS for water resources projects * Experience with floodplain studies and FEMA ...

Water Resources Engineer I

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

This position will be responsible for storm water management, drainage design, hydrologic ... Experience using ArcGIS for water resources projects * Experience with floodplain studies and FEMA ...

Showing results 21-40

Water Resources Manager information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$26.7K

$79.4K

$133.7K

How much do water resources manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for water resources manager in Raleigh, NC is $79,396.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,600.00 and $113,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a water resources manager do?

A Water Resources Manager is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and management of water resources to ensure sustainable use and compliance with environmental regulations. They analyze water supply and demand, develop strategies for conservation, and coordinate with government agencies, stakeholders, and the public. Their work often involves assessing the impact of projects on water systems, managing water quality, and preparing for issues like drought or flooding. Water Resources Managers play a critical role in ensuring that communities have access to safe and reliable water supplies while protecting natural ecosystems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a water resources manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Resources Manager, you need a solid background in environmental science, hydrology, or civil engineering, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with GIS software, water modeling tools, and regulatory compliance systems is typically required, and professional certifications like Professional Engineer (PE) or Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) can be advantageous. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and stakeholder communication skills set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These capabilities are crucial for ensuring sustainable water resource management, regulatory adherence, and effective collaboration among diverse agencies and communities.

What are some common challenges water resources managers face when coordinating between multiple stakeholders?

Water Resources Managers often navigate complex relationships among government agencies, private organizations, and community groups, each with distinct priorities and regulatory requirements. Balancing the demands for water supply, environmental conservation, and economic interests can be challenging, especially during periods of drought or water scarcity. Successful managers use strong communication and negotiation skills to facilitate collaboration, ensure compliance, and implement sustainable solutions that benefit all parties. Building consensus and maintaining transparency are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Water Resources Manager vs Hydrologist?

AspectWater Resources ManagerHydrologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or related field; often certifications in water managementBachelor's or Master's in Hydrology, Geology, or Earth Sciences; often licensure or certification in hydrology
Work EnvironmentGovernment agencies, consulting firms, water utilities; project management and policy focusResearch institutions, government agencies, environmental consulting; fieldwork and data analysis
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in water resource planning, management, and policy developmentUsed in studying water cycles, modeling, and environmental impact assessments

While both roles involve water and environmental expertise, Water Resources Managers focus on planning, policy, and managing water systems, whereas Hydrologists primarily conduct scientific research and data analysis related to water cycles and environmental impacts.

How do you become a water resources manager?

To become a water resources manager, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental science, civil engineering, hydrology, or a related field. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions and obtaining professional certifications, such as a Professional Engineer (PE) license or Certified Water Resources Engineer credential, can enhance career prospects. Strong analytical, communication, and project management skills are also important in this role.

Is water management a good career?

A Water Resources Manager oversees the planning, development, and management of water systems, requiring skills in environmental science, engineering, and policy. It is a stable career with opportunities in government agencies, consulting firms, and utilities, often involving fieldwork and data analysis. Certification and a relevant degree can enhance job prospects in this field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Water Resources jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Water Resources jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Water Resources Manager jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Water Resources Manager jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Water Resources Manager jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Water Resources Manager jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Water Resources Manager jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Water Resources Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Water Resources Manager job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,392 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Senior Water Resources Engineer-North Carolina

WSP

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 7 days ago


WSP rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 69 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

18th of 72 rated business consultants


Job description


This Opportunity
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Water Resources Engineer for one of our North Carolina offices. We are looking for an engineer to join our motivated and engaged Water Resources Team. This is an opportunity to be involved in a vast array of water resources projects, serve as a leader in the office, and mentor a growing group of water resources engineers. The project work includes, analysis and design of conveyance systems, complex hydraulic modeling, stream restoration, SCM design, etc. At WSP, our devotion to teamwork has allowed us to assist communities, solve complex challenges, and protect our natural resources.
Serving diverse clients, we have a unique opportunity to help communities grow in a way that ensures environmental stewardship. We continue to advocate for an increasingly harmonious relationship between infrastructure development and environmental management. Here at WSP, anything is within our reach- and yours as a WSP employee!
Your Impact
  • Engage with local clients that are making the biggest impacts in our statewide community, including: NCDOT, Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington, Wake Forest
  • Participate in business development activities including marketing, client engagement, and project initiation.
  • Guide the identification, prioritization, selection, and pursuit of opportunities and influence the future of our group and our State.
  • Mentor and collaborate with our growing local group of young water resources engineers, and benefit from the national and regional expertise that is only a phone call away.
  • Participate in a local group with exciting growth potential, and a company with an established presence at the forefront of the Engineering community.
  • Lead project teams in the preparation of technical reports and designs for stormwater and water resources projects.
  • Ensure that production of plans, specifications, reports, and analyses meet scope, schedule, cost, and quality requirements.
  • Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures

Who You Are
Required Qualifications
  • BS or MS in environmental, civil, bio & ag, or a related field of engineering from an accredited program
  • Professional Engineering (P.E.) license in North Carolina, or another state with the ability to apply for a license in North Carolina
  • 5+ years of relevant experience with relevant engineering principles and practices and project experience in some of the following areas:
    • Stormwater conveyance and flood mitigation
    • Environmental permitting and restoration
    • Watershed assessment and improvement of water quality
    • Hydraulic design for highway/transit
    • Bridge hydraulic/scour analysis and floodplain management
  • Strong communication skills and ability to mentor and lead other members of our water resources team and to coordinate with other disciplines at WSP.
  • Strong background using hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and design software such as Open Roads Designer, Microstation/Geopak, Civil 3D, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, StormCAD, SWMM, SRH-2D, etc.
  • Perform hydrologic and hydraulic calculations, and prepre documents including reports, plans, specifications, and construction cost estimates with support from a Supervising Engineer
  • Demonstrates commitment to producing high quality technical and professional deliverables on projects and proposals
  • Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies

Preferred Qualifications
  • Proven ability to contribute to the delivery of complex stormwater and water resources design projects
  • Interest in working in-person at the office at least 3 days per week
  • Recent experience with NCDOT and/or municipal (NC) stormwater clients
  • Community involvement and affiliation with relevant professional societies
  • Passionate about bettering our local communities, protecting our natural environment, and serving our clients as a trusted advisor.

#LI-MF1
About Us
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation - no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

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