Engineer I/II/III/IV – Volumetric Water Benefits (VWB)

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

Internal opportunity – lateral transfer only

The Engineer – VWBA will be responsible for assisting in the development, quantification, and documentation of volumetric water benefits across recharge, stormwater, and water quality project types. The role supports basin screening, site selection, and concept/feasibility design for all VWBA / WQBA methodology pathways; prepares standardized VWBA calculations and M&V plans; and contributes to audit‑ready proposals and design packages. This role also supports in‑project execution by completing field verification, site data collection, and hydrologic analysis while ensuring full traceability to VWBA 2.0 and emerging WQBA guidance. The position requires understanding of loss pathways (ET, soil moisture, plant uptake), recharge defensibility, and alignment with large‑volume VWBA needs for corporate buyers (e.g., data centers).

You will operate as a member of the VWBA Center of Excellence (CoE) and collaborate with engineering/design teams, scientists, hydrogeology and GIS specialists, proposal/pricing, and regional delivery teams. You will also interface with sales/account teams and external partners (e.g., NGOs, advisors) to support basin screening, project scoping, and M&V requirements. You will work directly with hydrologists, M&V leads, and regional SMEs to maintain defensible calculations, site‑scoring logic, and QA/QC expectations for VWBA projects.

What Your Day-to-Day Will Look Like

Depending on your level, you will:

• Assist with rapid basin screening and GIS‑driven filters to prioritize target watersheds; participate in SME‑guided site selection criteria development.
• Support concept-level designs and feasibility analyses for stream-aligned recharge projects, including floodplain reconnection and BDAs, as well as infiltration basins. Contribute to alternatives development and comparative evaluations across D4, D5, D6, D7, and all applicable methods.
• Assist in the development of hydrologic and hydraulic models using AutoCAD, FlowMaster, HEC‑RAS, GIS, HEC-HMS, PCSWMM and other relevant modeling tools; compile soils, hydrology, and infrastructure data to support VWBA designs.
• Build and maintain standardized VWBA calculators and inputs; draft M&V plans and auditable assumptions, data sources, and calculation logs consistent with VWBA 2.0 and WQBA.
• Support pricing inputs and unit‑economics worksheets (e.g., $/MGY, expected yield ranges) for internal review; maintain version‑controlled documentation.
• Prepare figures, exhibits, and concise narratives for proposals that frame benefits at the basin/watershed scale; organize data rooms and contribute to QA/QC checklists to reduce rework and scope creep.
• Aid in data collection, organization, and report writing for engineering assessments and design documentation; assist with field reconnaissance and site assessments under supervision.
• Participate in team discussions and project meetings, contributing to problem‑solving, risk identification, and scope discipline in pilot/innovative contexts.
• Maintain accurate project documentation in line with company standards and compliance requirements; contribute to a central repository of methods, templates, and playbooks.
• Execute early‑stage site‑scoring workflows, including soils/Ksat screening, CN evaluation, floodplain geometry review, slope filters, infrastructure constraints, and land‑use compatibility.
• Support WQBA and dual VWBA/WQBA opportunities where applicable (residence time, treatment pathways).
• Mentor and train junior engineers on VWBA methodologies and its processes.
• Works collaboratively as part of a team under direct guidance; demonstrates attention to technical accuracy, unit economics, and schedule.

We would like to talk to you if you have many of the following:

• Degree in Engineering from an accredited program (e.g., Water Resources, Civil, Environmental) or Hydrogeology; prior internship/co‑op in hydrology, stormwater, restoration, or groundwater recharge; coursework in GIS and data analysis.
• 5 year progressive experience in water resources, stormwater, restoration, or related field (internships/co‑op acceptable); exposure to VWBA/WQBA frameworks and M&V planning preferred.
• Growth mindset - willingness to learn, take direction, and adapt methods in pilot environments while maintaining scope discipline.
• Understanding of data‑center water‑stewardship needs, high‑volume recharge requirements, and region‑specific constraints (permitting, aquifer sensitivity, floodplain dynamics).
• Ability to understand VWBA 2.0 / WQBA and defend assumptions under audit (e.g., LimnoTech review).
• Foundational knowledge of VWBA pathways and nature‑aligned recharge concepts; awareness of tradeoffs among D4, D5, D6, D7 for yield, defensibility, and cost.
• Basic proficiency with H&H modeling and GIS; ability to compile hydrologic datasets (flows, soils, infiltration, stage) and translate into calculator inputs and design parameters.
• Understanding of M&V principles and data traceability for audit‑ready documentation.
• Ability to frame technical work for proposals and cross‑functional stakeholders; concise written and verbal communication.

Licensure

Licensure expectations will align with your current level:

• Engineer I: EIT preferred (or ability to obtain within an agreed-upon timeframe).

• Engineer II: EIT required; PE preferred (or clear path to PE licensure).

• Engineer III: Active PE license required in at least one state, with ability to obtain additional state licensure as needed for project work.

(Internal candidates should already meet the licensure expectations for their current level or be on an approved plan to do so.)

Note: This is an internal lateral transfer opportunity open to engineers at levels I, II, and III (or equivalent). Moving into this role will not change your current RES job level or grade. Future promotions will follow the standard RES promotion process

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.