Watershed Projects Manager

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The pay range listed above is effective July 1, 2026.

The Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management (OSEM) within the Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a Watershed Projects Manager to join our team! The Sustainability and Environmental Management office manages the County’s regulatory and stewardship programs focused on water quality, stream health and climate resiliency. This position will implement water quality capital improvement projects as a component of the County’s comprehensive stormwater management, sustainability and climate resiliency programs.

The Watershed Project Manager works collaboratively with internal and external design teams, construction managers, and stormwater outreach and maintenance specialists to identify, plan, promote, design, construct, track, and monitor capital improvements, including stream restoration, outfall repairs, and green stormwater infrastructure projects, to support Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit and Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan compliance and protect local water quality. This position will also review development plans impacting riparian buffers, streams and wetlands to ensure compliance with Arlington County’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance.

Major Job Duties:

• Identifying, evaluating, and developing scopes of work for watershed, stream, and related capital improvement projects;
• Managing green stormwater infrastructure, outfall repair, and stream restoration projects, with potential budgets of several million dollars, from concept design through construction in coordination with the County’s Engineering Bureau;
• Coordinating project outreach and engagement with residents, civic associations, community groups, County leadership, and elected officials;
• Reviewing and supporting development of construction documents and specifications, assisting with competitive procurement processes, and managing contracted tasks.
• Establishing and monitoring project budgets, including reviewing invoices and processing project-related expenditures;
• Monitoring completed projects to ensure performance objectives and post-construction vegetation establishment requirements are achieved;
• Reviewing development plans for compliance with the County’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance, conducting inspections, performing enforcement activities, and tracking required regulatory data; and
• Providing technical assistance to residents, engineers, contractors, and County staff regarding riparian buffer management and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will possess collaborative problem-solving skills with a demonstrated understanding of the complexities and challenges of implementing water quality capital improvements in an urban environment. They will have experience working with a team to enact watershed protection projects or programs. The ideal candidate will also be equally comfortable working in an office or in the field and will demonstrate strong interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Landscape Architecture or a related field from an accredited college or university; and
• Two years’ progressively responsible watershed or stormwater management experience, including experience managing, designing, or constructing stream, wetland, outfall repair or green stormwater infrastructure projects.

Substitution(s): Additional education may be substituted for qualifying experience.

Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with a Master’s degree in a related field or one or more of the following:

• Experience managing stream, wetland, or green stormwater infrastructure capital projects, including design and construction, for a government agency, non-profit organization, or conservation district;
• Experience conducting watershed or stream assessments and supporting riparian buffer, habitat restoration, or ecological restoration projects;
• Experience maintaining, or developing planting and landscape plans for green stormwater infrastructure, riparian buffer, wetland or stream restoration projects;
• Experience with federal, state, or local environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, including wetlands and Chesapeake Bay protection requirements;
• DEQ Stormwater or Erosion and Sediment Control certification;
• Society of Ecological Restoration CERPIT or CERP credentials; and/or
• Proficiency using AutoCAD or similar design software.

Special Requirements

Resume Requirement: A complete application includes a resume. Please attach your resume to the application and verify that the details of your application provide further evidence of your experience and qualifications as displayed on your resume.

Letter of Interest: A complete application includes a letter of interest. Please attach your letter to this application detailing your background and experience and how they have prepared you for this position.

Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.

Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver’s license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant’s driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.

Professional License/Certifications: Required to hold or be able to obtain ESC and SWM Inspector certifications from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality within one year of hire.

Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions.

Additional Information

Work hours: Flexible work schedule Monday through Friday between 7 am to 6 pm with telework opportunities. Employee must be able to attend occasional evening and weekend events outside of regular working hours.

Working Conditions:

• Physical Requirements: Must be able to navigate steep slopes, uneven terrain and active construction sites as well as undertake sedentary work involving sitting most of the time, occasional walking/standing, and exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally.

The official title of this position is: Associate Environmental Management Specialist.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected.

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.

For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.

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