Watershed Manager Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $76,232.00 - $118,164.80 Annually
Location : Cary, NC
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 27-02652
Department: Town Manager's Office
Division: Stormwater
Opening Date: 08/06/2026
Closing Date: 9/4/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: N/A
Description
Cary is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live and work in the country and our commitment to thoughtful growth, environmental stewardship, and exceptional public service is at the heart of that reputation. As Cary continues to grow, we're looking for a collaborative and forward-thinking Stormwater Development Specialist to help ensure new development enhances, rather than compromises, the quality of life our community enjoys.
This is more than a development review position, it's an opportunity to influence how one of North Carolina's fastest-growing communities plans, builds, and protects its future. As part of Cary's innovative Stormwater Division, you'll work alongside talented professionals, developers, engineers, and community partners to guide sustainable development, protect our waterways and floodplains, preserve natural resources, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations that keep our community resilient.
In this role, you'll combine technical expertise with collaboration and problem-solving, reviewing development plans, advising stakeholders, and helping deliver infrastructure and development projects that balance growth with environmental responsibility. Whether you're evaluating stormwater management systems, supporting capital improvement projects, or serving as a trusted resource for colleagues and the development community, your work will have a lasting impact on Cary's neighborhoods, parks, streams, and public spaces.
If you're passionate about stormwater management, environmental protection, and helping shape a thriving community through innovative, sustainable development practices, we'd love to have you join our team here at Cary!
Typical Tasks
Erosion & Sediment Control Plan Review
Reviews, processes, and tracks all grading/land disturbing permits submitted to and approved by the Town. Review development plans, including site, subdivision, Cary capital improvement projects, and commercial and residential single-lot permits, for compliance with NC SPCA requirements and Cary Standards & Specifications. Assess construction sequencing and phasing of E&SC measures to prevent off-site sedimentation. Collaborate regularly with Stormwater Field Service Technicians, providing support, technical guidance, and approvals for field modifications, especially in unusual or difficult situations.
Stormwater Management
Review site and subdivision development plans for compliance with NPDES Phase 2 Post Construction Stormwater regulations, watershed protection, flood control ordinances, and Cary's construction details and specifications. Review plans for compliance with riparian buffer, urban transition buffer, and floodplain management regulations. Evaluate SCM and GSI designs, stormwater control calculations, nutrient loading worksheets, impervious surface calculations, and drainage system designs for ordinance compliance. Utilize GeoCivix and Bluebeam PDF review software to track reviews.Maintain databases for nutrient load tracking and nitrogen mitigation payments for issued permits.
Approve site development plans for Cary Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs), such as roadways, greenways, utility extensions, and public facilities.Review surveys and plats for compliance with stormwater and watershed protection, floodplain regulations, riparian buffer rules, and easements before signing off.
Attend Cary's Development Review Committee (DRC) weekly, and Planning and Zoning Board, Environmental Advisory Board, and Town Council meetings as needed.
Collaborate with Cary staff to continue to improve efficient business processes as they relate to development plan review, permitting, and field inspections.
Interpret the Cary Land Development Ordinance (LDO) and serve as a resource for builders, municipal staff, developers, consultants, public, local officials, and Town Council regarding Town codes, ordinances, and policies related to stormwater.
Enforce and Cary standard specifications and detail drawings relative to stormwater quality, runoff control, drainage, and erosion control design and educate stakeholders on Cary standards.
Floodplain Management
Assist with reviewing and issuing floodplain development permits and tracking elevation certificates. Document floodplain management activities and support CRS membership and class rating requirements.
Miscellaneous
Collaborate with Cary staff to improve business processes and tracking systems for permits, grading, flood studies, buffer determinations, impact approvals, and field inspections using the latest approved technology platforms and programs.
Stay updated on new trends and innovations in erosion control, stormwater management, floodplain management, and GSI.
Assist the Senior Stormwater Project Manager with identifying suitable retrofit or SCM demonstration sites and integrating stormwater practices with CIPs such as roadways, parks, and public facilities. Serve as a technical resource to town staff regarding the design, construction, and maintenance of SCMs.
Support Stormwater Field Services Technicians during site visits to ensure compliance with approved erosion control, stormwater management, and watershed protection plans. Enforce the Town's erosion control, stormwater management, and watershed protection ordinances as needed, notifying appropriate officials of non-conformance.
Respond to citizen inquiries regarding stormwater runoff, construction site impacts, and drainage system concerns, as well as questions related to new and proposed development activities.
Keep the Stormwater Development Administrator informed of issues related to new development plans and permits. Support the Town's illegal discharge detection and elimination program as needed.
Performs other job-related tasks as required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of all aspects of stormwater and floodplain management associated with development activities and must understand the applicability of federal, state, and local rules, regulations, and ordinances for stormwater management, floodplain management, and Cary's standards and specifications during development plan reviews; comprehensive understanding of principles and practices including civil and environmental engineering, hydrology and hydraulic design and modeling, E&SC measures and SCM design criteria is required; knowledge of construction practices, methods and equipment applied in landscaping, grading, and other related activities; ability to read and interpret engineering plans and drawings; communicate effectively orally and in writing; keep and maintain accurate records; establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, developers, property owners and the public; supervise other personnel; and resolve complex problems; proficiency with technology and software such as Office 365, Salesforce, Box, GeoCivix, Bluebeam Revu, PlanGrid, and ArcGIS is essential.
Physical Requirements
Work in this class is generally light; an employee must be able to hear and talk and have the necessary visual acuity to read and write handwritten and typewritten materials and to view drawings, plans, and computer screen; employee must have the physical ability to make site visits in the field and move about freely over rough and undeveloped terrain within typical construction settings on a frequent basis.
Minimum and Preferred Qualifications
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from a four-year college with a bachelor's degree in engineering or environmental science, or related field, and extensive experience working in stormwater management programs.
Special Requirements
Requires a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Requires NCDEMLR SCM Reviewer Certification or ability to obtain.
Requires CFM (Certified Floodplain Manager) or ability to obtain.
CPESC or CESSWI or ability to obtain preferred (Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control or Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector).
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Requires drug testing and background check (which may include criminal history check, motor vehicle records check, education verification and credit history review) and satisfactory reference checks prior to employment.
Cary ensures equal employment opportunities (EEO) are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information.
Regular Full-Time Employees
Cary is pleased to provide excellent, competitive, and comprehensive benefits to serve the needs of our employees and their families.
Because Cary believes that employees are one of our most important resources, significant dollars (averaging about 40% of annual salary per employee) are spent each year on employee benefits.
All regular full-time employees of Cary are eligible, and benefits coverage for new employees and family members is effective upon an employee's hire date.
01
What is the highest level of education you have completed? (Note: Details, including degree type, must be provided in the education section of your application.)

• High School or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

02
Is your degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field?

• Yes
• No

03
How many years of professional experience do you have working in stormwater management, stormwater development review, or a closely related field? (Note: Details must be provided in the work history section of your application.)

• Less than 2 years
• 2 - 4 years
• 5 -7 years
• 8 years or more

04
Please describe your experience reviewing development plans for compliance with stormwater, erosion and sediment control, floodplain, or watershed protection regulations.
05
Which of the following areas have you worked in? (Select all that apply.)

• Erosion and Sediment Control (E&SC) plan review
• Stormwater Management plan review
• Floodplain management
• Watershed protection
• Development permitting
• Construction inspections
• Riparian buffer compliance
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)
• Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) design or review
• None of the above

06
Please describe your experience interpreting engineering plans, grading plans, drainage studies, or stormwater calculations.
07
Do you currently hold the NCDEMLR Stormwater Control Measure (SCM) Reviewer Certification?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you currently hold the Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you currently hold any of the following certifications? (Select all that apply.)

• Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC)
• Certified Erosion, Sediment and Stormwater Inspector (CESSWI)
• Other related certification
• None

10
Do you possess a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

11
This position requires frequent site visits over active construction sites and uneven terrain. Are you able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

Required Question