Entry-Level Restoration Engineer

WRA is an employee-owned environmental consultancy. We are a tenacious team of planners, engineers, and scientists, and we aim to leave the lands we love better than we found them. 

Our clients and partners hire us because we’re skilled at navigating through challenging projects involving wildlands, parks, community spaces, restoration and infrastructure. We bring over four decades of expertise, long-standing relationships, and connections to our local communities to make sure that projects are pursued in responsible ways where both people and the environment thrive. 

As an organization, we believe that independence and interdependence are not mutually exclusive. We invest in systems, processes, and employee programs to support our staff’s collective engagement and success while simultaneously encouraging our employees to operate with an ownership mindset, taking responsibility for outcomes and being true to our commitments. 

WRA has been growing an interdisciplinary team of river and wetland restoration professionals including engineers, landscape architects, geomorphologists, ecologists, and fisheries biologists. Our projects range from large floodplain restoration to dam removal to urban stream rehabilitation across California. We are passionate about restoring riverine and coastal systems that support healthy and resilient natural and human communities. We are invested from start to finish in our projects with our expertise including site selection, topographic and bathymetric surveys, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, ecological assessments, biological surveys, drafting, design, project management, bidding and construction support, performance monitoring, and adaptive land management. As a team, we strive to make positive lasting changes to our natural landscapes where we both work and play. 

WRA has a diverse portfolio of projects with clients including decades-long private clients, public agencies, and non-profit organizations. In addition to our technical expertise, we help clients deliver on projects by developing grant proposals, preparing financial models, partnering with investors, and engaging stakeholders.

Our Riverscapes and Shorelines Team is looking for an early career professional with a strong interest in water resources or coastal engineering. We are seeking someone who is eager to contribute their passion and learn from our dynamic group. The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in supporting and working on projects related to water resources, particularly riverine systems, and is excited about gaining experience in a variety of project complexities including planning, design, and construction phases.

The position location is for the San Francisco Bay Area with projects located within 2-3 hours of driving. We anticipate the successful candidate will work in a hybrid role, reporting to one of our Bay Area offices approximately three days per week and with the option to work remotely the other two days per week. A company vehicle can be provided or travel will be reimbursed for project related purposes.

Interest and/or Technical Expertise in Supporting:

• Hydrology and Hydraulics Modeling and Analysis
• Stormwater Management Planning and Design
• Stream Restoration
• Watershed Planning and Master Plan Preparation
• AutoCAD Civil 3D Drafting and Coordination with CAD Designers
• Construction Observation and Coordination with Construction Contractors

To be successful in this role, you will need: 

• 0 – 3 years of relevant experience
• Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental or agricultural engineering.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently as well as collaborate with teams
• Passion to learn and assist in delivering quality projects
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Additional, preferred qualifications include: 

• 1 – 2 years of progressive, comprehensive Water Resources experience
• Graduate degree in civil, environmental, agricultural engineering, or related field with an emphasis in water resources, geomorphology, hydrology, or hydraulic engineering
• EIT certificate
• Strong industry relationships and an understanding of municipal, state and federal criteria
• Experience and understanding of local, regional, state and federal policies, programs and procedures

WRA has an established internal leveling system for our staff that maps to salary bands that have been informed by market data. Our leveling system is dependent on years of relevant industry experience, education, and the level of responsibility and autonomy at which you’re expected to operate.

The salary range for this position is $67,000 – $75,000

Who are we?

WRA’s company vision is “cultivating a sustainable future where people and the environment thrive” and that starts with our staff. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment, and we have developed flexible policies, internal practices, and are investing in programs that prioritize learning and sustainability. We aim to create conditions that allow employees to prioritize their families, lead healthy and balanced lives, and to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We believe that by creating an exceptional workplace, our employees will be able to do their best work and be able to meaningfully contribute to the sustainability of the environment and the communities in which we live.

WRA is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to creating a diverse environment. Our leadership team represents the diversity we strive to build within our company: to learn more about our Executive Committee, visit us here. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.