How to hire a water project engineer

How to hire a water project engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step water project engineer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The water project engineer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   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 water project engineer 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 water project engineer that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of water project engineers.

   Type of Water Project Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Water Project Engineer	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.	$26-50
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Autocad
   • Hec Ras
   • HEC-RAS
   • HEC-HMS
   • EPA
   • Water Management
   • SCADA
   • Water Systems
   • Geotechnical
   • Distribution Systems
   • Water Treatment Plant
   • Water Samples

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage utilities and wastewater, infrastructure and cost savings projects from ideas to complete projects.
   • Update AutoCAD map of water distribution system.
   • Contribute to successful investments in water and energy-from-waste projects in the UK by conducting in-depth project analysis and regulatory due diligence.
   • Check HVAC equipment; change filters, belts, bearings and lubricate as necessary.
   • Perform regularly schedule maintenance boilers, heaters, pumps and HVAC equipment such as filter changes, greasing, etc.
   • Conduct condition assessment of pipelines for the WWTP (60 MGD) during normal operation.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your water project engineer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A water project engineer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, water project engineers' average salary in hawaii is 40% less than in idaho.
   • Seniority. Entry-level water project engineers 48% less than senior-level water project engineers.
   • Certifications. A water project engineer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a water project engineer's salary.

   Average water project engineer salary

   $76,978yearly

   $37.01 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level water project engineer salary

   $55,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 23, 2026

4. Writing a water project engineer job description

   A good water project engineer 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 water project engineer job description:

   Water project engineer job description example

   We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
   
   Golden State Water Company is one of the largest investor-owned water utilities in the United States. We have been all about water for more than 80 years. Our team of professionals delivers reliable, quality water and great service to customers in 75 communities across California.
   Accountability:
   
   The Project Engineer II reports to the Capital Program Engineer who is accountable for ensuring the delivery and completion of capital projects on time and within budget. The Project Engineer II is accountable for delivering assigned projects on time and within budget and for coordinating pre-construction, construction and commissioning activities with Operations, Environmental Quality, and Asset Management departments to minimize disruptions to core business activities and to deliver projects that meet the needs of front-line utility personnel.
   
   Job Summary:
   
   The Project Engineer II, serving in a high level support role, and working independently on multiple projects, is accountable for the delivery and completion of capital projects on time and within budget. May be required to provide limited supervision and/or direction of support staff. May also report directly to the Capital Program Manager on specific projects. Represents GSWC through communications with City, County and other government agencies and other utilities.
   
   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   Oversees construction of multiple capital projects for the regulated utilities of American States Water including Golden State Water.
   Works independently on smaller projects when required.
   Coordinates internal and external resources towards the completion of assigned capital projects while balancing the needs of operations and customer service functions and schedules.
   Prioritizes assigned capital projects within area of responsibility.
   Prepares and monitors and reports on project schedules and budgets and implements corrective actions when needed.
   Monitors quality control and inspection activities on assigned projects and implements corrective actions when required.
   Coordinates field changes with appropriate engineering staff.
   Prepares and presents to supervisor periodic reports on progress of assigned capital projects.
   
   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
   
   Bachelors degree in civil, mechanical, electrical or environmental engineering OR bachelors degree in construction management or a closely related field.
   Registration as a Professional Engineer in the state the individual is assigned OR Project management certification by the Project Management Institute (PMI) or the American Academy of Project Management (AAPM) strongly preferred.
   Two years of construction management experience on public works or public utility projects.
   Knowledge of and experience using project management software (particularly MS Project) preferred.
   Experience with PowerPlan fixed assets software and JD Edwards accounting software package a plus.
   Strong oral and written communication and analytical skills.
   May include but not limited to standing, walking, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, lifting, reaching, climbing, stooping and crouching, color determination, typing, sitting, reading, writing, speaking and listening, for extended periods on time.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right water project engineer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting water project engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 water project engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect water project engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new water project engineer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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