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Southern California Water Practice Lead

Job Description

Dewberry’s National Water Practice is currently seeking a Southern California Water Practice Lead in our Long Beach, CA office. This strategic leadership role will be an integral part of our National Water Practice’s continued growth in California.  This team helps deliver award winning water, wastewater and water resource projects across the country to municipal, federal and private clients. 

 

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500+ professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.

 

Overview:

Excellent opportunity for an ambitious and talented individual to have direct impact on the growth of Dewberry’s National Water Practice in the West.  The successful candidate will be an engineer with a diverse background and experience in developing and executing water and wastewater treatment, conveyance, storage, and pumping projects.  

This leader will have an opportunity to support national projects. A sample of our active project backlog available to assist with includes;

  • Flood protection, resiliency, large scale infrastructure construction management, and large PS design projects in the Northeast including Boston and New York City.
  • Design of subaqueous water crossings, flood control and water supply systems including both indirect and direct reuse in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast
  • Design of large diameter water supply lines, pumping systems and wastewater treatment systems in Colorado.
  • Federal projects across the country delivering traditional and design build wet infrastructure projects including greenfield wastewater treatment, pump station replacement, infrastructure rehabilitation or replacement, and disaster recovery.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

  • Leverages existing local and regional client connections to strategically expand and grow our client portfolio. 
  • Helps teams mine work through existing client connections and contracts.
  • Applies thorough knowledge and expertise of current principles and practices of engineering acquired through progressive experience to resolve crucial issues and/or project challenges.
  • Keeps informed of new methods and developments affecting the water business and recommends new practices or changes to internal programs.
  • Supervises a growing staff of engineers and technicians.
  • Plans, schedules, coordinates and performs the preparation of engineering assessments, preliminary designs, and the preparation of design documents and activities for multiple projects, or is responsible for an entire program.
  • Develops statement of qualifications, detailed proposals, project execution plans, and contracts to include project understanding, scope of work, project approaches, pricing, schedule, terms and conditions, and performs contract negotiations.
  • Ensures quality of own work and the work of others, while maintaining budget and schedule.
  • Reviews operational procedures to ensure compliance with applicable company policies and performance measures.
  • Increases Dewberry’s visibility in the public sector water business through active participation in national, state and local professional and community organizations.
  • Participates in personnel decisions and manages personnel.
  • Works in team environment to leverage assets of the business unit and the Water Service Line to position, win, execute and deliver work.

Required Skills & Required Experience

  • B.S. Degree in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering field; Master’s Degree in Engineering is a plus.
  • California Professional Engineering license.
  • 20+ years’ consulting experience, with increasing levels of project and client responsibilities for public sector water and wastewater projects.
  • A minimum of 10 years of project and client management experience.
  • A recognized area of technical expertise is a plus.
  • Successful track record of building client relationships in the water and wastewater field, with a reputation for being highly responsive and delivering quality work.
  • A successful track record of managing projects scope, schedule and budget compliance.
  • Proven experience with the planning, design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure facilities.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong client management and business development skills.
  • Strong leadership qualities and ability to coach and mentor staff.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for our employees. So if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

 

Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

 

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

 

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

 

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

 

Notice to Third Party Recruiters:  Dewberry only compensates job placement recruiters that have a valid Dewberry-approved written agreement in place for recruiting services. Dewberry does not compensate third party recruiters for unsolicited job placement candidate information.

 

#LI-EMM

#LI-Hybrid

Salary Range

The projected range for this position is $200,000-$240,000 annually. Depending upon other factors, i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.

 

Average salary estimate

$220000 / YEARLY (est.)
min
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$200000K
$240000K

If an employer mentions a salary or salary range on their job, we display it as an "Employer Estimate". If a job has no salary data, Rise displays an estimate if available.

What You Should Know About Southern California Water Practice Lead, Dewberry

Dewberry is on the lookout for an experienced Southern California Water Practice Lead to join our Long Beach team! In this strategic leadership role within our National Water Practice, you will play a key part in driving our growth and success in California’s water sector. Imagine leading innovative water, wastewater, and resource projects that make a substantial difference across municipal, federal, and private sectors. At Dewberry, we pride ourselves on our talented professionals—over 2,500 across the country—who collaborate on exciting and complex projects. This is a remarkable chance for someone with an engineering background and a passion for making an impact in water and wastewater treatment. You’ll develop and supervise a talented team of engineers while enhancing client relationships and strategically growing our portfolio. You'll also dive into diverse projects that span flood protection, large infrastructure management, and wastewater treatment systems—all while helping in the oversight of national projects. Dewberry champions a culture of integrity and excellence that has defined us for over 50 years. If you're ready to step into a pivotal role in the water business, where you can leverage your skills and knowledge to help our team flourish, we want to hear from you!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Southern California Water Practice Lead Role at Dewberry
What responsibilities will the Southern California Water Practice Lead have at Dewberry?

As the Southern California Water Practice Lead at Dewberry, you will be responsible for leveraging your engineering expertise to manage and execute water and wastewater projects. You’ll oversee a growing team, ensuring quality and compliance while enhancing client relationships to expand our portfolio. Your role will involve applying strategic thinking to project development, including preparing proposals and negotiating contracts, all while maintaining budget and schedule adherence.

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What qualifications are needed for the Southern California Water Practice Lead position at Dewberry?

To be a strong candidate for the Southern California Water Practice Lead role at Dewberry, you will need a B.S. Degree in a relevant engineering field, with a California Professional Engineering license being essential. Ideally, you should have over 20 years of experience in consulting, with project management skills and a demonstrated ability to build successful client relationships in the water sector.

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How does the Southern California Water Practice Lead contribute to Dewberry's National Water Practice?

The Southern California Water Practice Lead plays a vital role in shaping the growth and direction of Dewberry's National Water Practice. By overseeing water and wastewater treatment projects and expanding client connections, you will ensure that Dewberry remains at the forefront of innovative solutions in the water industry, effectively responding to market demands and project challenges.

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What kind of projects can a Southern California Water Practice Lead expect to work on at Dewberry?

In the Southern California Water Practice Lead position at Dewberry, you can expect to work on a diverse range of projects, including flood protection measures, large-scale infrastructure construction, and wastewater treatment systems. You will be involved in both regional and national projects, which could encompass everything from subaqueous water crossings to disaster recovery efforts, making for an exciting and varied workload.

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What kind of work culture can a new Southern California Water Practice Lead expect at Dewberry?

At Dewberry, the work culture is built around collaboration, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. As a Southern California Water Practice Lead, you'll join a team that values innovative thinking and teamwork, while also emphasizing professional growth and mentorship. Dewberry fosters an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to impactful projects.

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Common Interview Questions for Southern California Water Practice Lead
Can you discuss your experience with water and wastewater treatment projects in your past roles?

When answering this question, focus on specific projects where you demonstrated your technical skills and leadership abilities. Highlight key challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your role in project management, execution, and successful collaboration with clients and teams.

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How do you approach client management and relationship building in the water sector?

Demonstrate your strategy for building and maintaining strong relationships. Share anecdotes that showcase your communication skills, responsiveness, and your understanding of client needs. Explain how you leverage existing connections to drive business growth, and emphasize your focus on delivering high-quality work that fosters loyalty.

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What methodologies do you implement to ensure successful project management within the water industry?

Discuss the project management strategies you utilize, such as agile methodologies or traditional project management frameworks. Emphasize your experiences in planning, scheduling, and maintaining budgetary compliance, and how you ensure that project goals align with client expectations.

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Describe a time you had to lead a team through a challenging project. What was your approach?

Reflect on your leadership style, focusing on how you motivate and guide your team in challenging circumstances. Highlight your ability to communicate clearly, delegate effectively, and mentor your staff, showcasing any successful outcomes that resulted from your guidance.

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What strategies do you use to stay informed about new methodologies and developments in the water business?

Share your commitment to professional development, mentioning specific resources such as industry publications, conferences, or networking opportunities that you utilize to stay updated. Explain how you apply this knowledge to recommend improvements in projects and areas of practice.

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How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within your team?

Describe your conflict resolution techniques, focusing on your ability to facilitate open communication and promote a collaborative environment. Provide examples of past experiences where you successfully navigated disagreements to reach a productive resolution, emphasizing the importance of maintaining team cohesion.

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Can you share an experience where you successfully developed a proposal for a major project?

Outline the key elements involved in crafting impactful proposals. Discuss how you integrated project understanding, scope, and client requirements to design a compelling and competitive proposal, concluding with the result of the proposal submission and its impact on the company’s growth.

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What experience do you have with managing project budgets and schedules?

Discuss your comprehensive approach to budget and schedule management. Provide insights on your methodologies for tracking progress and controlling costs, detailing any software or tools you utilize. Mention how effective budget management has contributed to your project successes.

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Describe your experience working with federal or state agencies in public sector water projects.

Highlight specific instances where you've collaborated with federal or state agencies. Discuss the unique aspects of public sector work, including compliance requirements and regulatory standards, and how you navigated relationships and approvals effectively.

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How do you ensure high-quality work within your projects?

Explain your approach to quality assurance and quality control throughout project execution. Highlight any frameworks or processes you utilize to uphold standards, ensure compliance, and seek continuous improvement through feedback and evaluations.

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Full-time, on-site
DATE POSTED
April 11, 2025

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