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Water Rights Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Water Lead

Houston, TX

$17 - $21.50/hr

Every new field brings a different set of water rights, infrastructure, and logistics. We are building the team and the systems to handle that now, and this role leads it. The Water Lead is the ...

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Water Rights information

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$14

$22

$34

How much do water rights jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for water rights in the United States is $22.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $25.72 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are water rights?

Water rights are legal entitlements that allow individuals, organizations, or governments to use a certain amount of water from a specific source, such as a river, stream, or groundwater. These rights determine who can access water, for what purposes (like irrigation, municipal use, or industrial activities), and under what conditions. Water rights can be complex and vary widely by region, often governed by state and local laws. In many places, water rights can be bought, sold, or leased, making them valuable assets. Understanding water rights is essential for anyone involved in agriculture, real estate, or industries that depend on water resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Water Rights Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Water Rights Specialist, you need a solid background in environmental science, hydrology, or law, often supported by a relevant degree and experience with water allocation regulations. Familiarity with GIS software, water modeling tools, and legal research databases is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, negotiation, and communication skills set top professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualifications are essential for navigating complex regulations, resolving disputes, and ensuring sustainable and legal water resource management.

What is the difference between Water Rights vs Water Rights Technician?

AspectWater RightsWater Rights Technician
CredentialsLegal, environmental, or water resource certifications; often requires a degree in law, environmental science, or related fieldsTechnical certifications; often requires training in water management, GIS, or surveying
Work EnvironmentLegal offices, government agencies, or water resource departmentsFieldwork, surveying sites, data collection, and analysis
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, law firms, environmental consultanciesWater agencies, environmental firms, consulting companies

Water Rights professionals focus on legal and regulatory aspects of water access and usage, while Water Rights Technicians support these efforts through technical data collection and fieldwork. Both roles are essential in water resource management but differ in their focus and required skills.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in water rights management?

Professionals in water rights management often encounter challenges such as navigating complex and evolving regulatory frameworks, balancing the needs of diverse stakeholders (including agricultural, municipal, and environmental interests), and resolving disputes over water allocation. The role frequently requires negotiating between parties, interpreting legal documents, and staying current with state and federal water laws. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as is the ability to analyze hydrological and legal data to support informed decision-making.
More about Water Rights jobs
What cities are hiring for Water Rights jobs? Cities with the most Water Rights job openings:
What states have the most Water Rights jobs? States with the most job openings for Water Rights jobs include:
Infographic showing various Water Rights job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $47,210 per year, or $22.7 per hour.
Water Resources Market Leader

Water Resources Market Leader

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

Salt Lake City, UT โ€ข On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Overview

If you're looking for a place to advance your career, where you can contribute to a dynamic innovative firm, tackle demanding project work, and collaborate with industry recognized professionals - Geosyntec Consultants is the place for you! ย 

Geosyntec is seeking a Principal level Water Resources Market Leader to join our growing national Water Resources Practice, based out of our Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; Austin, TX; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX or any of our other U.S. based offices. The potential to work remotely from your home-office is available at the discretion of the Company.ย This is a unique opportunity to join a leadership team actively engaged in growing the water business at Geosyntec. This position will be responsible for developing and implementing a strategy for achieving significant market share for Geosyntec in the Water Resources market area.ย 

As a senior member of our Water Resources practice, you lead complex water resources projects around water supply management, water rights permitting, and groundwater / surface water management.ย  As a market leader, you will be responsible for a combination of technical project execution, client relationship management and water resource subject matter expertise, task and team leadership, while actively engaging existing and new client opportunities from a business development growth standpoint.ย  Our Water Resources group works on complex projects ranging from water supply development, water supply management, water rights, mining hydrogeology, contaminant hydrogeology, regulatory permitting, and source water protection, across the U.S.; In this role, you will have the opportunity to build and lead a team of experienced professionals, contribute to complex technical project work, as well as actively engage in growth and business development strategy.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people.ย  Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too.ย ย We offerย competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programsย to support you and your family.

To Learn More Visit:ย http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Strategic business planning to segment and target specific industrial, commercial and municipal clients for projects such as water supply, groundwater and surface water modeling, water availability, use and re-use, as well as regulatory considerations for water rights permitting; focused on the West Region Water Resources market;
  • Engagement with project and operations staff to align Geosyntec's full service delivery capabilities with market demands;
  • Serve in the capacity of a Client Account Manager on selected accounts deemed critical to Geosyntec's Water Resources market;
  • Active participation in professional societies, conferences, and meetings that will increase the visibility of the firm to potential clients and recruits. Make contributions to the profession that will result in individual recognition as an industry leader;
  • Project directorship, including ensuring client expectations are understood and met, budgets are adhered to, quality objectives are met, and follow-on work is attainted - Strategically related to; local scale hydrogeologic analyses for water supply management, regulatory compliance and new source development; modeling studies of aquifer systems; installation and testing of groundwater supply wells (and monitoring wells), aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) and surface recharge basin projects, and permitting and regulatory compliance projects, including water rights;
  • Recruiting, managing, and mentoring junior staff and mid-career engineers and scientists;
  • Reviewing and leading the preparation of major proposals;
  • Providing senior leadership subject matter expertise in meetings with clients, regulatory personnel, and other parties;
  • Technical Project delivery and project-manager responsibility for scoping, performing, managing, and delivering multiple concurrent project assignments;
  • Preparing technical reports, letters, memoranda, plans, specifications, and proposals;
  • Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client orย companyย project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.ย 
Education and Licensure
  • Bachelor's degree in Water Resources, Hydrogeology, Civil, Environmental or related engineering discipline with emphasis on water resources. (required)
  • Advanced degree in the same/similar (preferred)
  • Professional registration (i.e., PE, CHG) (required)
Skills, Experience and Qualifications
  • At least 10 years (15+ preferred) of direct water resources, hydrogeology, or engineering consulting experience working on water resource, contaminated sites, and mining projects; or equivalent combination of education and experience. (required)
  • Experience with multi-disciplinary project teams. (required)
  • Demonstrated success in project management, sales, and business development. (required)
  • Excellent leadership and detail-orientation skills. (required)
  • Experience with design and implementation of field hydrogeology programs in glacial, basalt, and clastic aquifer systems (required)
  • Experience with numerical modeling of groundwater flow and well test analysis (preferred).
  • Ability and willingness to perform fieldwork and travel as needed. (required)
  • Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing may be required.
  • Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)

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Employment Type: FULL_TIME