Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc, Sparks

Water Resources Section Head

Energy & Utilities
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field
  • Minimum of 15 years of experience in water resources engineering
  • Professional Engineer License or ability to obtain upon hire
  • Proven experience in project management and team leadership
  • Demonstrated business development capabilities

Responsibilities

  • Drive growth of JMT's water resources practice in Central Virginia
  • Engage in industry events and build client relationships
  • Lead new business opportunities and proposals
  • Recruit and mentor water resources professionals
  • Ensure high-quality design of stormwater and drainage systems
  • Manage financial performance of the water resources group
  • Guide teams through complex regulatory environments

Benefits

  • Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Caregiver Leave Program
  • 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • Career Development Programs
Full Job Description
Job Description

Position Summary: JMT is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader to help shape the future of Water Resources in our Richmond office. This is a unique opportunity to drive growth, build a high-performing team, and expand our presence across the Central Virginia region and beyond while delivering impactful, resilient solutions for our clients. Compensation for this position is $184,000 - $186,000, commensurate with experience, education and certifications. The provided range is a good faith estimate based on the requirements described within the job description. We notice that we receive a wide variety of applicants and recognize that the person selected may be less experienced or more experienced. If so, the actual salary range may vary from the estimate provided.

In this role, the individual will not just manage projects-they will lead with purpose, advancing JMT's core focus on people, projects, performance, profit, and promotion both internally and externally. They will champion business development, oversee financial performance, mentor the next generation of water resources leaders, and play a pivotal role in expanding the firm's presence across Virginia.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise with entrepreneurial drive-someone who thrives on building client relationships, pursuing new opportunities, and delivering innovative solutions in stormwater, drainage, and water resources engineering. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate across JMT's regional offices, engage with key clients and industry leaders, and elevate our presence in Virginia's evolving regulatory and infrastructure landscape.

This role will support the continued growth of the Water Resources discipline in JMT's Richmond office, building on a strong, multi-discipline engineering team with an established transportation client base. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of Virginia stormwater regulations, demonstrated experience in stormwater and drainage design for transportation projects, and the ability to support municipalities with MS4 permit compliance and TMDL implementation. The position involves applying sound engineering principles to plan, organize, and execute design assignments, while also serving as a technical mentor to junior staff.

Why This Role Is Exciting
  • Shape the future of JMT's Water Resources practice in a high-growth area
  • Lead impactful projects that improve resilience, infrastructure, and communities
  • Build and mentor a team, leaving a lasting legacy in the profession
  • Engage with industry leaders and expand your professional network
  • Drive innovation and growth within a nationally recognized firm

Essential Functions and Responsibilities
  • Lead Growth & Client Engagement
    • Drive the expansion of JMT's water resources practice in the Richmond/Central Virginia area through strategic business development and client relationship building
    • Serve as a visible leader in the industry by attending and participating in local and state conferences, client meetings, and professional organizations
    • Identify, pursue, and lead new opportunities, proposals, and interviews, positioning JMT for continued success
    • Strengthen partnerships with municipalities, agencies, and transportation clients
  • Build & Lead a High-Performing Team
    • Recruit, mentor, and develop a strong, collaborative team of water resources professionals
    • Provide coaching, career development, and performance feedback to support growth and succession planning
    • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
  • Deliver Technical Excellence
    • Oversee and contribute to the design of stormwater management, drainage, and erosion & sediment control systems
    • Ensure adherence to JMT's quality management processes and deliver high-quality engineering solutions
    • Lead and oversee Water Resources analysis, design, and modeling efforts for projects, including transportation initiatives, specialized Water Resources assignments, and work performed under other office-wide on-call contracts.
    • Lead and oversee Water Resources analysis, design, and modeling efforts for projects in the office, to include transportation projects, Water Resources specific assignments and projects, and other projects associated with the office on-call contracts
    • Guide teams through complex regulatory environments, including Virginia stormwater requirements, MS4 compliance, and TMDL implementation
  • Drive Operational & Financial Performance
    • Manage the financial performance of the water resources group, including budgeting, staffing, and profitability
    • Align resources with workload demands to maximize efficiency and project delivery
    • Contribute to the overall success of the office through strategic decision-making and performance management


Required Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or a related field from an accredited program
  • Minimum of 15 years of experience in water resources engineering
  • Professional Engineer License or ability to obtain upon hire
  • Proven experience in project management, team leadership, and business development
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office

Qualifications Preferred
  • Expertise in Virginia stormwater regulations, MS4 programs, TMDL implementation, drainage design, stormwater management, and erosion and sediment control.
  • Experience in transportation-related Water Resources design and evaluation
  • Proficiency with industry tools such as MicroStation, AutoCAD, ORD, HEC-RAS, SWMM, or similar
  • Demonstrated success leading teams and managing staff performance
  • Experience working with Virginia-based local clients and agencies at the county and state level
  • Experience working with Chesterfield County, Henrico County, City of Richmond, City of Petersburg, and other local Central Virginia cities, municipalities, and counties.
  • Experience working with Virginia agencies including VDEQ, VDCR, and VDOT
  • Experience with Virginia stormwater regulations, MS4 compliance, TMDL implementation, stormwater management, drainage design, and erosion and sediment control,
  • Experience with MicroStation/AutoCAD and ORD
  • Supervisory experience

Working Conditions

Work is performed within a general office environment. Work is generally sedentary in nature, but may require occasional standing and walking. Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. within the office environment.

Benefits

JMT offers outstanding opportunities for career and professional growth. We are 100% employee-owned (ESOP) and offer outstanding health care coverage and other benefits, including:
  • Affordable Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
  • Company paid Life and Disability Insurance
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Caregiver Leave Program
  • 401K Retirement Plan (Traditional and Roth options)
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • Career Development Programs
  • And more...
  • Benefits | JMT

About Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc, Sparks

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT) is an engineering and architecture firm that provides a range of services, including transportation planning and design, environmental engineering, construction management, and surveying. The company serves clients in the transportation, environmental, and construction industries, as well as government agencies and municipalities. JMT is headquartered in Sparks, Maryland, and has offices throughout the United States. The company was founded in 1971 and has grown to become one of the largest engineering firms in the country. JMT is committed to sustainability and has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of renewable energy sources and the implementation of green building practices.
Learn more about Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson Inc, Sparks
Size
1,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1971

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