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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Water Resource Program Supervisor

💰 $ - $

Water ResourcesEnvironmental ManagementSupervisionStormwater

🎯 Role Definition

The Water Resource Program Supervisor leads and manages the planning, design, permitting, implementation, and monitoring of municipal and regional water resource programs. This role supervises technical staff and consultants, ensures compliance with federal, state and local water regulations (including NPDES/MS4 and TMDL requirements), administers capital and grant-funded projects, and works with stakeholders across agencies, utilities, developers, and the public to advance watershed protection, stormwater management, and sustainable water infrastructure. The supervisor integrates hydrologic modeling, GIS, asset management, and performance measurement to deliver resilient, cost-effective water resource solutions.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Water Resources Specialist / Analyst
  • Civil or Environmental Engineer (entry-level to mid-level)
  • Stormwater Program Coordinator or Hydrologic Technician

Advancement To:

  • Water Resources Program Manager
  • Director of Watershed Management / Utilities
  • Chief of Environmental Services / Public Works

Lateral Moves:

  • Environmental Compliance Manager
  • Watershed Planner
  • Capital Projects Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead, plan, and administer comprehensive water resources programs, including stormwater management, watershed restoration, floodplain management, and water quality monitoring to meet regulatory, environmental, and community goals.
  • Supervise, mentor, evaluate, and develop a multidisciplinary team of engineers, hydrologists, GIS analysts, inspectors, and support staff; establish clear performance expectations and ensure continuous technical training.
  • Develop, implement, and monitor program budgets, capital improvement plans (CIP), and operating budgets; prioritize projects based on risk, regulatory deadlines, grant opportunities, and lifecycle costs.
  • Manage NPDES/MS4 permit compliance programs including preparation and submission of annual reports, monitoring plans, BMP inspections, illicit discharge detection and elimination (IDDE), and public education/outreach initiatives.
  • Oversee the design review and permitting process for public and private development projects to ensure stormwater control measures, low impact development (LID) practices, and erosion control meet local ordinances and state regulations.
  • Direct consultant selection, contract negotiation, scope of work development, and contract management for technical studies, construction administration, monitoring programs, and design services.
  • Lead watershed-scale planning efforts and integrate hydrologic and hydraulic analyses (e.g., HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM) to evaluate flood risk, design conveyance and detention facilities, and prioritize restoration opportunities.
  • Coordinate multi-agency and cross-departmental efforts with public works, planning, parks, utilities, county/state regulatory agencies, and community groups to align water resource objectives and permit obligations.
  • Oversee field programs including construction inspection, BMP installation, maintenance of stormwater infrastructure, and water quality and flow monitoring to ensure projects meet design standards and performance expectations.
  • Prepare, review, and present technical reports, regulatory submissions, grant applications, engineering specifications, and board/City Council briefings that translate complex analyses into actionable recommendations.
  • Administer grant programs and pursue external funding (federal, state, and foundation grants); manage grant budgeting, reporting, compliance, and deliverables to maximize program revenue and impact.
  • Implement asset management strategies for stormwater systems and natural infrastructure, including condition assessment, lifecycle replacement planning, and prioritization of maintenance and rehabilitation needs.
  • Maintain and enhance GIS datasets, stormwater models, and databases used for mapping, analysis, permitting, and capital planning; ensure data quality, metadata standards, and accessibility for decision-makers.
  • Establish and track program performance metrics, key performance indicators (KPIs), and adaptive management practices to demonstrate outcomes, inform continuous improvement, and support regulatory negotiations.
  • Ensure project and program compliance with environmental laws, CEQA/NEPA processes, endangered species and habitat protections, and local ordinances; coordinate environmental permitting and mitigation strategies.
  • Respond to emergencies and complaints related to flooding, illicit discharges, or infrastructure failures; lead incident response coordination with operations, public safety, and regulatory agencies.
  • Oversee public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community education programs, including workshops, technical advisory committees, and bilingual communication strategies to build public support and encourage behavior change.
  • Evaluate new technologies, green infrastructure practices, and best management practices for stormwater and watershed resilience; pilot, scale, and integrate innovations that reduce cost and improve environmental outcomes.
  • Lead development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), construction standards, and specifications for stormwater and watershed projects that improve consistency, quality, and regulatory defensibility.
  • Review and approve engineering plans, technical analyses, cost estimates, and change orders for construction and maintenance work; enforce quality control and ensure contractor compliance.
  • Serve as the primary liaison to regulatory agencies (EPA, state water boards, county flood control districts) during audits, inspections, negotiations, and formal regulatory processes to protect agency interests and maintain compliance.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests, conduct exploratory data analysis, and produce dashboards and maps for senior management and stakeholders to support program decisions.
  • Contribute to organizational strategy and long-range water resource planning by providing technical insights, forecasting needs, and identifying funding opportunities.
  • Collaborate with procurement and legal teams on RFP development, contract language, and vendor performance metrics to ensure successful service delivery.
  • Participate in public meetings, advisory committees, and interjurisdictional workgroups to represent the program and gather input for inclusive decision-making.
  • Provide oversight for staff safety, permittee training, and field protocols to ensure safe operations and regulatory compliance during inspections and construction activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Water resources program management and regulatory compliance (NPDES/MS4, TMDL, state water quality programs)
  • Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling proficiency (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, EPA SWMM or similar)
  • Geographic Information Systems (ArcGIS, QGIS) for watershed mapping, asset inventory, and spatial analysis
  • Stormwater engineering design and plan review, including LID/green infrastructure, detention/retention systems, and conveyance design
  • Water quality monitoring design, sampling protocols, laboratory QA/QC, and interpretation of results
  • Grant writing, grant administration, and familiarity with federal/state funding programs (EPA, FEMA, state water boards)
  • Capital project planning and construction contract management, including specs, RFPs, and change order review
  • Asset management systems, condition assessment, and lifecycle cost analysis for stormwater infrastructure
  • Environmental permitting processes (CEQA/NEPA coordination), mitigation planning, and regulatory negotiation
  • Technical writing and preparation of regulatory reports, permit submissions, technical memos, presentations, and Council/Board packages
  • Proficiency in data tools and analytics (Excel advanced functions, SQL, Python/R for analysis is a plus) and dashboard tools (Power BI, Tableau)

Soft Skills

  • Leadership and people management: hiring, coaching, performance evaluation, and team development
  • Strategic planning and program prioritization with a focus on measurable outcomes and ROI
  • Clear, persuasive communication for technical and non-technical audiences, including public presentations
  • Stakeholder engagement and consensus-building across agencies, NGOs, developers, and community groups
  • Project management: scheduling, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and contract oversight
  • Problem-solving and adaptive decision-making under regulatory and budget constraints
  • Negotiation skills for interagency agreements, easements, and contractor disputes
  • Attention to detail and quality assurance in technical reviews and regulatory submissions
  • Time management, multitasking, and ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
  • Conflict resolution and political acumen to navigate public meetings and stakeholder disagreements

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Water Resources, Environmental Science, Geography, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, or Public Administration with emphasis on environmental management.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Water Resources Engineering
  • Environmental Science or Environmental Management
  • Hydrology / Hydraulics
  • Civil Engineering
  • GIS / Geospatial Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5–10+ years of progressively responsible experience in water resources, stormwater, or environmental program management.

Preferred:

  • 7+ years with demonstrated supervisory experience, direct oversight of NPDES/MS4 programs, experience managing capital projects and grants, and proven track record in stakeholder engagement and regulatory negotiations. Certification such as Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), or relevant state certifications is a plus.
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