How to hire a water systems designer

How to hire a water systems designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step water systems designer 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 systems designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new water systems designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a water systems designer, 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

   A water systems designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, water systems designers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of water systems designer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Water Systems Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Water Systems Designer	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.	$20-66
   Wastewater Project Engineer	A wastewater project engineer is responsible for overseeing projects that involve the provision of potable water, prevention of flood damage, and the disposal of sewage or wastewater. Wastewater project engineers are tasked with data management and analysis, regulatory program compliance, and fieldwork... Show more	$26-50
   Designer	A designer is someone who creates a master plan of the look or workings of something before it will be made. It could be tangible or intangible objects, products, procedures, laws, events, games, graphics, services, and even experiences... Show more	$21-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GIS
   • Water Quality
   • Auto CAD

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage relationships through CRM documentation and complete post-sale customer follow ups.
   • Enhance working knowledge of EPA, DEP and MWRA regulations.
   • Design and develop a custom web-base CRM primarily using store procedures and triggers for data manipulation and business logic.
   • Evaluate pipes and determine structural integrity using CCTV.
   • Develop custom concepts and details coordinating across multiple disciplines and with outside companies including AECOM and Wyatt.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, water systems designers' average salary in hawaii is 55% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level water systems designers earn 70% less than senior-level water systems designers.
   • Certifications. A water systems designer 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 water systems designer's salary.

   Average water systems designer salary

   $76,935yearly

   $36.99 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level water systems designer salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a water systems designer job description

   A good water systems designer 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 systems designer job description:

   Water systems designer job description example

   Essential Functions + Responsibilities
   • Resolve both technical and design problems and work collaboratively on all aspects of project execution
   • Work independently as well as effectively communicate and collaborate with City and McAdams staff methodology and approach for projects.
   • Designers are expected to complete (design complete/ready for construction) multiple minor projects per year. This requires flexibility and multitasking of multiple projects at one time.
   • Compose comprehensive technical reports related to existing conditions analysis and proposed recommendations.
   • Design and produce civil engineering construction documents (site plans, utility plan/profile, design reports, specifications)
   • Designers shall be proficient with the following applications and able to perform engineering evaluation, calculations, reports, in support of project design: AutoCAD Civil 3D and embedded hydrology and hydraulics software, ArcGIS, StormCAD, FlowMaster, HY8, CulvertMaster, HEC-RAS, HydroCAD, AdobePro, Excel, and other various public applications.
   • Create exhibits using GIS based on existing & proposed land use, drainage area information.
   • Be able to convey complex engineering topics to property owners, and various roles in an effective manner.
   • Experience in the design and preparation of construction plans for storm drainage projects.
   • Delineate watersheds and prepare time of concentration calculations.
   • Gutter spread calculations and analysis.
   • Pipe video assessment and analysis.
   • Understanding of SCS and Rational methods.
   • Design of rip rap aprons.
   • Communicate to the public regarding project specific information representing City Storm Water Services.
   • Familiar with water quality buffers and environmental permitting processes.
   • Understanding of local and FEMA flood requirements
   • Storm drainage and culvert design
   • Stormwater control measure design
   • Site grading, earthworks, and sediment/erosion control design and permitting
   • Coordination with contractors, utility representatives, and owners
   • Coordination with local and third-party utility providers regarding impacts associated with projects
   • Work in accordance with McAdams and City of Charlotte standards with project team from concept phase through construction administration for a variety of projects

   We participate in E-Verify. Information from all employees’ Form I-9 is used to confirm work authorization.
   EOE: Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. We are equal opportunity employers.

   Decisions regarding hiring, promotions and terminations are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (over 40), disability, genetic information, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right water systems designer 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 systems designer job on Zippia to find and recruit water systems designer 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 water systems designers, 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 systems designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect water systems designer 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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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