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Watershed Planning Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Trilon

Director of Water Resources

Jackson, MS

Provide strategic leadership for Waggoner's Water Resources discipline, including watershed planning, stormwater engineering, H&H modeling, and flood mitigation services. * Lead business development ...

Mannik Smith Group

Director of Water Resources

Jackson, MS · On-site

$160 - $180/hr

Provide strategic leadership for Waggoner's Water Resources discipline, including watershed planning, stormwater engineering, H&H modeling, and flood mitigation services. * Lead business development ...

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Watershed Planning information

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$56K

$102K

$155.5K

How much do watershed planning jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for watershed planning in the United States is $102,002.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,000.00 and $120,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is watershed planning?

Watershed planning is the process of developing and implementing strategies to manage water resources, land use, and environmental impacts within a specific watershed area. It involves assessing the current conditions of the watershed, identifying sources of pollution or degradation, and collaborating with various stakeholders to create a plan that supports both environmental health and community needs. Effective watershed planning helps protect water quality, reduce flooding, and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. These efforts often include public education, restoration projects, and policy recommendations to guide future development.

What are some common challenges faced when collaborating with stakeholders in watershed planning projects?

Collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders—including local governments, community groups, environmental agencies, and private landowners—can present challenges such as balancing competing interests, addressing conflicting priorities, and ensuring clear communication. Watershed planners often need to facilitate consensus-building and mediate between groups with different goals or concerns. Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial for developing practical, sustainable watershed management plans and typically involves regular meetings, workshops, and transparent data sharing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a watershed planner, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Watershed Planner, you need expertise in environmental science, hydrology, GIS mapping, and often a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with watershed modeling software, geographic information systems (GIS), and regulatory frameworks is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, project management, and stakeholder communication skills help you build consensus and implement effective plans. These skills are crucial for developing sustainable watershed management strategies that balance environmental, social, and regulatory needs.

What is the difference between Watershed Planning vs Hydrologist?

AspectWatershed PlanningHydrologist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Hydrology, Geology, or related fields
Work EnvironmentFieldwork, planning meetings, environmental assessmentsField measurements, data analysis, modeling
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, environmental consulting firms, NGOsResearch institutions, government agencies, consulting firms

Watershed Planning focuses on developing strategies to manage and protect entire watersheds, involving planning, stakeholder engagement, and policy development. Hydrologists primarily analyze water movement, distribution, and quality through scientific research and data modeling. While both roles work within environmental and water resource sectors, Watershed Planners emphasize planning and coordination, whereas Hydrologists focus on scientific analysis and data interpretation.

More about Watershed Planning jobs

What cities are hiring for Watershed Planning jobs?

Cities with the most Watershed Planning job openings:

What states have the most Watershed Planning jobs?

States with the most job openings for Watershed Planning jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Watershed Planning jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Watershed Planning jobs are:

Watershed Planning jobs near you
Infographic showing various Watershed Planning job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,002 per year, or $49 per hour.

Research Associate - National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering (NCCHE)

University of Mississippi

Oxford, MS

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

University Of Mississippi rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

208th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The University of Mississippi - fondly referred to as Ole Miss - stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member - student, faculty, and staff - can achieve their fullest potential.

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will support research focused on watershed hydrology, surface water systems, flooding, and water quality through the development and application of advanced hydrologic and hydraulic models. Responsibilities include developing, implementing, calibrating, verifying, and validating numerical models; simulating watershed processes; evaluating the effects of land use change, climate variability, and extreme weather events on water resources; and supporting the development of computational tools and decision-support systems for flood forecasting, watershed planning, and water resources management.

Job Description:

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Develop, implement, and apply surface water, watershed, and flood models for hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality analyses.
  • Verify and validate hydrologic and hydraulic models using field observations, monitoring data, and historical flood events.
  • Simulate watershed processes, including rainfall-runoff transformation, streamflow routing, flood inundation, sediment transport, and pollutant fate and transport.
  • Evaluate the impacts of land use change, climate variability, and extreme weather events on flooding, watershed hydrology, water quantity, and water quality.
  • Support the development of computational tools and decision-support systems for flood forecasting, watershed planning, and water resources management.

Job Responsibilities:

Preferred Experience, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Experience in numerical modeling of watershed hydrology, surface water systems, flood processes, and/or water quality.
  • Experience in model calibration, verification, and validation using field, laboratory, and/or observational datasets.
  • Experience in writing peer-reviewed scientific publications.
  • Experience in scientific programming (e.g., FORTRAN, Python, R).
  • Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills (both technical and non-technical).
  • Experience with CCHE numerical models is preferred.
  • Experience in laboratory and/or field experimental studies related to hydrology, hydraulics, watersheds, flooding, or water quality is preferred.
  • Experience in computer systems development, scientific software development, or computational tool development is preferred.
Preferrd Education:
  • Graduate degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Atmospheric Science, Earth Science, Hydrology, Water Resources Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Candidates who are expected to receive their degree by the end of the current semester are also encouraged to apply.

* This position is fully or partially funded by external research grants. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory performance and the ongoing availability of funding.


** Applicants are requested to attach a Resume/CV with their application.

Education Qualifications:

Master's (Required)

Experience:

Interview Requirement:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement:

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

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