Colorado Water Resources Engineering Leader
Colorado Water Resources Engineering Leader
Location: Denver, CO (Hybrid)
Compensation: $160,000 - $190,000 Base + Bonus
Lead the Future of Water Resources in Colorado
A well-established employee-owned engineering and environmental consulting firm is seeking a Colorado Water Resources Engineering Leader to drive the growth and technical excellence of its water resources and water rights practice throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.
This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for a senior water resources professional who combines deep technical expertise in Colorado water rights with business development, client management, and team leadership experience. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping strategy, expanding market presence, mentoring technical staff, and delivering complex projects that support water supply reliability and long-term resource management.
What You'll Do
Technical & Project Leadership
- Lead and grow a portfolio of Colorado water resources and water rights projects.
- Serve as a senior technical advisor on water rights, water supply planning, and resource management efforts.
- Oversee water supply studies, yield analyses, augmentation planning, and water rights evaluations.
- Direct river and stream system modeling, water accounting frameworks, and strategic water planning initiatives.
- Support expert witness efforts, litigation support, and technical testimony when required.
- Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within budget, and to the highest technical standards.
Business Development & Client Management
- Expand an existing client base and develop new business opportunities throughout Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region.
- Build and maintain long-term relationships with municipalities, water districts, utilities, developers, legal teams, and other stakeholders.
- Lead proposals, presentations, and competitive pursuits.
- Contribute to strategic growth initiatives and market expansion efforts.
Team Leadership
- Mentor and develop engineers, scientists, and technical professionals.
- Help build and manage a high-performing water resources team.
- Foster technical innovation, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Provide QA/QC review and technical oversight across project deliverables.
Desired Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Geology, Earth Sciences, or a related discipline.
- Master's degree preferred.
- 12+ years of water resources experience, including significant experience working within Colorado's water rights framework.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
- Expertise in:
- Colorado water rights administration
- Water supply planning and development
- Surface water and water balance modeling
- Water accounting
- Water transfers and augmentation planning
- Water rights evaluations and yield analyses
- Technical report writing and presentation development
- Prior business development and client management experience.
- Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and complex projects.
- Expert testimony or litigation support experience is a plus.
What Makes This Opportunity Unique
- Opportunity to build and lead a growing Colorado water resources practice.
- Influence major water supply and water rights initiatives across the Rocky Mountain region.
- Work alongside recognized technical experts on some of the region's most challenging water resource issues.
- Strong leadership visibility with a clear path to continued growth and expanded responsibility.
- Employee-focused culture emphasizing collaboration, flexibility, and professional development.
Compensation & Benefits
- Base Salary: $160,000 - $190,000
- Annual performance bonus opportunity
- Employee ownership participation
- 401(k) with company contributions
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Generous PTO and flexible work arrangements
- Professional development and continuing education support
- Leadership growth opportunities
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