How to hire a surface water manager

How to hire a surface water manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step surface water manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a surface water manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new surface water manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a surface water manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a surface water manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a surface water manager that fits the bill.

   This list presents surface water manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Surface Water Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Surface Water Manager	Environmental engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. They are involved in efforts to improve recycling, waste disposal, public health, and water and air pollution control.	$11-66
   Water/Wastewater Engineer	Water/wastewater engineers are professionals who are responsible for designing treatment facilities that dispose of wastewater and sewage to prevent flood-related damage and provide portable water. These engineers are required to perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design as well as map out the water distribution system using AutoCAD... Show more	$27-60
   Water Resources Engineer	A water resource engineer develops new systems and equipment for a water resource management facility. You will be responsible for dealing with the provision for wastewater and sewage disposal, and prevention of flood damage... Show more	$27-53

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Plumbing
   • Water Treatment Plant
   • Water Samples
   • Process Control
   • Potable Water
   • Water Management
   • NPDES
   • Distribution Operations
   • MGD

   Responsibilities:

   • Create and manage comprehensive database of groundwater production assets.
   • Prepare TCC unit and environment for external audit under ISO guide lines.
   • Conduct several meetings with clients to review project operational issues and provide solutions to problems arising from rig site.3.
   • Provide technical assistance to rig site operators.4.
   • Review, consult and work with reclamation district representatives or their contractors when performing field geotechnical studies and/or geophysical measurements.
   • Create and manage comprehensive database of groundwater production assets.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your surface water manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A surface water manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, surface water managers' average salary in wyoming is 57% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level surface water managers earn 83% less than senior-level surface water managers.
   • Certifications. A surface water manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a surface water manager's salary.

   Average surface water manager salary

   $58,279yearly

   $28.02 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level surface water manager salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a surface water manager job description

   A good surface water manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a surface water manager job description:

   Surface water manager job description example

   Michael Baker International is seeking a Dams and Surface Water Project Manager to join our team. The successful candidate will manage projects that may involve a broad range of project types, including inspection, assessment, remediation, and design of high hazard dam facilities as well as public and private drainage systems, BMP design, NPDES permitting, and H&H analysis. The Project Manager will act as the design task leader for dams and surface water projects; responsible for task budget and schedules, attending and actively participating in client meetings, and assisting in developing marketing proposals. Ideal candidates will be expected to demonstrate experience in design and assessment of spillways, penstocks, and other dam structure components; stormwater collection and conveyance systems; natural channel design; and bridge hydraulics, scour, floodplain evaluation projects. Candidates should also be experienced with permitting processes through agencies such as dam safety, FERC, and Army Corps.
   Other specific duties include:
   
   Develop and manage projects and proposals to meet client and regulatory needs Work closely with the clients and regulatory agencies as part of a multi-discipline team Develop project scope of work documents and project plans that include an analysis of benefit, cost, work schedule, and any related risks Lead design team in developing project drawings, technical specifications, schedule, and bid tabs Monitor and communicate project related issues, scope changes variances and contingencies that may arise during the construction of projects Develop innovative and cost-effective solutions to construction related conflicts and RFIs Meet with and effectively communicate with project partners, project stakeholders and public to maintain strong relationships Mentor junior staff Assist in marketing for the surface water discipline, the office, and the Company
   PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
   
   A four- year degree in Civil Engineering or related Engineering degree Registered Professional Engineer (PE) Minimum of 7 years of experience in related dams and surface water design and management Familiarity with basic hydrology and hydraulic design software Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D Familiarity with permit application development and coordination for federal, state and local agencies Previous experience working with projects that include planning & feasibility, assessments, design, grading, and detailing of dam and surface water facilities FERC experience and certification experience is a plus
   Workplace Flexibility : Whether you want to work in the office, at home, or in a hybrid model, we accommodate a variety of preferences. We recognize our employees face many factors when it comes to selecting the best work location, and we are passionate about providing options and flexibility.
   
   COMPENSATION
   The salary range for this position is $82,804 - $172,523. This will be dependent on the experience and expertise of the incoming candidate.
   
   BENEFITS
   We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:
   Medical, dental, vision insurance 401k Retirement Plan Health Savings Account (HSA) Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability Professional and personal development Generous paid time off Commuter and wellness benefits

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right surface water manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with surface water managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit surface water managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your surface water manager job on Zippia to find and recruit surface water manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit surface water managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new surface water manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the surface water manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new surface water manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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