Department Manager Jobs in North Carolina

JOB DESCRIPTION

North Carolina Surface Water Department Manager

(Hybrid)

What We’re Looking For:

Michael Baker International is seeking a talented Surface Water Department Manager to support and help grow our Mid-Atlantic Water Practice in North Carolina. This role is ideal for a motivated engineer who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to clearly communicate, lead projects and pursuits, and build lasting client relationships.

You will play a key role growing the NC Surface Water Department through capture and delivery of stormwater, drainage, stream restoration, and resilient infrastructure projects—from planning and design through construction—while helping position our team for continued growth across municipal and state programs.

We are looking for someone who brings both technical depth and project execution discipline, with an interest in expanding into broader leadership over time.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop client relationships to help grow our North Carolina water practice and position for opportunities, including serving as capture manager.
• Contribute to proposal development, including technical approaches and supporting materials.
• Oversee department operations, staff utilization, and overall performance of the NC Surface Water Department.
• Manage and deliver stormwater, drainage, and stream restoration projects, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
• Direct and manage tasks and/or other staff and sub-consultants on efficient project execution including adherence to project scopes, budgets, and schedules to ensure Baker project management and quality standards are maintained.

Lead or support design and technical oversight for:

• Watershed master plans
• Stormwater conveyance and drainage systems
• Stream and channel restoration, stabilization, and watershed improvements
• Flood mitigation infrastructure (e.g., stormwater pump stations, storage systems, Best Management Practices (BMPs), etc.)
• Erosion and sediment control and BMP implementation
• Oversee preparation and/or review of engineering reports, design plans, calculations, and technical memoranda; permitting and compliance with state and federal requirements; and/or overall construction management/construction phase services for execution of projects
• Support development of scopes, fee estimates, staffing plans, and schedules
• Serve as a key point of coordination with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies
• Conduct coordination meetings as needed internally, with the Client, and/or other stakeholders.
• Mentor junior staff and support team development

What You Need to Succeed:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related field (master's degree is a plus)
• 10+ years of relevant experience in stormwater, drainage, stream restoration, or water resources engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina (or ability to obtain)
• Demonstrated experience managing projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and drive them to completion
• Strong technical background in stormwater design, drainage systems, channel/stream restoration, and infrastructure improvements

Experience working with:

• 2D Hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and modeling
• Stormwater management and water quality requirements
• Permitting and regulatory coordination (including environmental/resource agencies)
• Strong communication and client-facing skills, including the ability to translate technical concepts for varied audiences
• Demonstrated history of project/program management, technical leadership, and independent success
• Experience with design-build or progressive delivery is a plus.
• Ability to travel across the state of North Carolina up to 25%.

Compensation:

The approximate compensation range for this position is $150,000 – $195,000 per year, based on experience, qualifications, and location. This compensation range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation is dependent upon factors such as education, qualifications, experience, skillset, and physical work location.

Why Choose Us:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• 401k Retirement Plan
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term, and long-term disability
• Professional and personal development
• Generous paid time off
• Commuter and wellness benefits

About us

Michael Baker International, a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management, has been solving some of the world’s most complex infrastructure challenges for more than 85 years with a legacy of expertise, experience, innovation and integrity.

Based in Pittsburgh and with over 100 offices nationwide, we partner with clients on everything from roads, bridges, tunnels, mass transit, and airports, to water treatment plants, arctic oil pipelines, environmental restoration and specialized overseas construction. We serve as a trusted adviser to the communities we serve, making them safer, more accessible, more sustainable and more prosperous.

We provide visionary leadership in facilitating transformational change for our clients. Our work delivers differentiating innovations and dedicated experts who challenge the status quo and share a world of diverse experience and an impassioned entrepreneurial spirit. We deliver quality of life.

We Make a Difference.

Michael Baker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Michael Baker International provides equal employment opportunity for all persons, in all facets of employment. Michael Baker International maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for any open position for which they feel they are qualified and all will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy or childbirth, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, status with regard to public assistance, or membership or activity in a local human rights commission, or any other legally protected status.

EEO is the Law. Applicants to and employees of Michael Baker International are protected under Federal law from discrimination.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. There is no current application deadline. Michael Baker will continue to accept applications on an ongoing basis until the position is filled or no longer needed.

ABOUT THE TEAM

WATER RESOURCES PRACTICE

Michael Baker International’s Water Group provides innovative consulting, planning and engineering solutions for the entire spectrum of the water cycle. We have proven experience in providing a full range of professional services from scientific and technical analysis, concept through design, and construction support services. Protection and management of water resources starts at the watershed level and follows the movement of water through urban and agricultural areas, streams, lakes and reservoirs, water distribution systems, wastewater collection systems, and water/wastewater treatment plants.