Watershed Manager Jobs in Georgia (NOW HIRING)

Posting expires: September 8, 2026

Salary range: $80,594 - $107,594

General Description and Classification Standards:

Responsible for overseeing the administrative functions of the Office of Engineering Services, managing budgeting, data management, procurement, personnel, payroll, fleet, training, and administrative support. This role evaluates and advises on the financial health of the office, prepares annual budget submissions, and directly manages administrators providing divisional support. Additionally, this position coordinates and administers field operations and data throughput processes, managing the city's inter-jurisdictional flow monitoring network to ensure compliance with contractual obligations and regulatory deliverables. The manager supervises and evaluates technical and administrative staff in the Compliance and Inspections section, ensuring budget control and communication with the public. Moreover, manages stormwater compliance, oversee field engineers and project managers, develop training programs, and assist in procurement planning and contract management for the Department of Watershed Management. This role entails extensive managerial responsibilities, including budget management, personnel supervision, compliance enforcement, and strategic planning.

Supervision Received:

 Works independently and only reports to the supervisor when necessary approval or other direction is required. Direction received is general and focuses more on long-term and short-term operating objectives, managerial effectiveness, and operating results. This level would be considered "middle" management

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

These are typical responsibilities for this position and should not be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Provide direct management responsibility for day-to-day operations including budgeting, data management, procurement, personnel management, payroll, and stakeholder relations within the Office of Engineering Services.
• Directly manage a team of administrators providing support across divisions within the Office of Engineering Services, ensuring continuous coverage.
• Coordinate with Deputy Commissioner and Directors to prepare annual budget submissions and detailed financial plans, evaluate operational budgets, and ensure financial health and viability.
• Oversee activities of the flow monitoring division to meet specific deliverables, manage sewer flow monitoring equipment, and develop plans for sewer flow monitoring.
• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to staff, manage operations, programs, and budget of the department's training division.
• Serve as technical lead for modeling projects, coordinate source water monitoring activities, and handle environmental compliance projects.
• Interact effectively with upper management, elected officials, contractors, inter-jurisdictional customers, and other stakeholders to maintain effective working relationships.
• Manage complex contracts to ensure continuity of services and compliance with contractual obligations, including review, scheduling, coordination, and monitoring.
• Assist in drafting, implementing, and updating policies and procedures to improve business processes, track changes, and communicate procurement and contract administration updates.
• Perform personnel management responsibilities including approving payroll, conducting employee evaluations, hiring, discipline, and ensuring necessary resources for job assignments.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations by drafting and reviewing water permits, generating reports, conducting facility inspections, and handling customer complaints.
• Assist Deputy Commissioner in managing staff associated with environmental compliance projects, coordinate activities, maintain testing programs, and serve as a liaison with regulatory agencies.
• Manage a team of field engineers, inspectors, project managers, coordinators, and planners, attending project meetings, approving payroll, invoices, and providing training and performance evaluations.
• Mitigate and troubleshoot issues between employees, teach staff to accomplish tasks, and develop training programs.
• Ensure availability of training programs for Department of Watershed Management staff, and assist in budget development and review.
• Work with external vendors to develop partnership agreements, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.
• These duties encompass the various managerial, operational, financial, compliance, and personnel management responsibilities of the Watershed Manager II role.
• Develop and implement an integrated strategy for waste management associated with providing safe drinking water.
• Conduct performance reviews of key organizational areas and critical functions to identify key performance indicators and recommend improvements.
• Optimize limited resources to gain greater operational efficiencies.
• Manage the Stormwater Compliance Team to ensure compliance with MS4/NPDES permit.
• Manage the Post Development Green Infrastructure Team to ensure compliance with city ordinances.
• Manage the Creek Crossing Right of Way Team to ensure compliance with the Consent Decree.
• Review and schedule various water quality sampling and results.
• Review and write Notices of Violation and Citations, attend court sessions.
• Ensure teams are properly trained to conduct inspections and have adequate equipment.
• Establish departmental inspection groups and schedule inspections.
• Handle departmental budget, purchasing, and equipment repair.
• Interview, hire, and process personnel, conduct performance evaluations.
• Provide sampling data and analysis for internal and external reports.
• Manage work schedules, leave requests, and payroll inquiries for personnel.
• Coordinate with other departments to resolve stormwater-related issues and address customer complaints.
• Maintain testing program review, monitor trends, and review construction plans.
• Coordinate various conservation programs, including recycling and energy conservation.
• Respond to requests for information from the Commissioner's Office and track various activities.
• Develop and distribute departmental reports and justifications for budgets and expenditures.
• Teach mandated refresher courses on emergency response plans and spill reporting.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

The above statements reflect the general duties, responsibilities and competencies considered necessary to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements of the position. COA may change the specific job duties with or without prior notice based on the needs of the organization.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

This is a partial listing of necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job successfully, it is not an exhaustive list.

• Knowledge of programming languages, application frameworks, design patterns, and development methods
• Knowledge of software databases (e.g., Oracle, MS SQL)
• Knowledge of existing facilities and past projects
• Extensive knowledge of billing and collections management
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Understanding of relational databases and ERP systems
• Knowledge of engineering and construction terminology
• Knowledge of environmental compliance terminology and regulations (including "EPA" terminology)
• Knowledge of applicable laws and the Code of Ordinances
• Knowledge of typical engineering practices
• Thorough knowledge of water resource management and watershed science principles and practices
• Knowledge and experience with watershed modeling and GIS applications
• Thorough knowledge of land use planning principles and practices

Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
• Strong leadership and team collaboration skills

Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively with diverse personality styles and communicate with upper management and/or elected officials
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, and guidelines
• Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office and project management software
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, employees, and representatives of other public agencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience -

1. Bachelor's degree in water resources management, environmental science or policy, land use planning, engineering, soils science, or hydrology with some experience in water quality management (Additional years of experience may be considered as a substitute for the required degree on an exceptional basis, with a minimum of nine (9) years of professional related experience in Water Management role with some experience in Billing & Collections.
2. 5 years' of work experience in a Water Management role with some experience in Billing & Collections

Licensures and Certifications - Class 1 Water Treatment Operator, Level II, MS4 Cert, Green Infrastructure, Georgia Driver's License, Georgia Wastewater Collections System License, (Atlanta) Georgia Association of Code Enforcement Officials Certification, CPPO, NIGP-CPP.

Preferred Requirements - Certified Professional in Talent Development, Waste Water Operator Class III License.

Work Environment:

Work is performed in a professional office setting with regular computer use and occasional field or site visits, meetings, and trainings as required.

Work Schedule:

This position follows the City's hybrid work schedule policy as assigned by the Department of Human Resources Commissioner and requires in-person work at City worksites/facilities at least four (4) days per week, with the option to work remotely one (1) day per week, based on eligibility, departmental needs, and supervisor approval. The hybrid work schedule is subject to change at any time to five (5) days in-person work. 

Lifting Requirements: 

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Light work:  Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.

It is the policy of the City of Atlanta ("COA") that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities regarding job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of the COA to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. The COA is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Director for your department.

The City of Atlanta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, ender identity, marital status, veteran's status or national origin, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.  We value and encourage diversity in our workforce.