How to apply for Drinking Water Project Manager | Ownership Opportunity

About Woodard & Curran

Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm focused on clean water, a safe environment, and healthy communities. The employee-ownership model means staff have a direct stake in the firm's success, and the company states it supports professional growth and flexibility.

About the role

This is a project manager role in the Drinking Water Business, leading drinking water projects for municipal clients across Missouri and Illinois. You would work with the Operations & Maintenance Division to develop, design, and deliver water infrastructure projects, partnering with engineers, scientists, and operations specialists.

A typical day

A typical day might involve meeting with a municipal client to review project progress, coordinating with engineers and operations specialists on design details, and reviewing budgets or schedules for drinking water projects in Missouri or Illinois. You would also spend time communicating with internal teams across the country and documenting project decisions. Ask the hiring manager during the interview how the team structures its week and what tools they use for project tracking.

Who Woodard & Curran is looking for

• A licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with experience in drinking water infrastructure, treatment, or distribution.
• Someone who is detail-oriented and client-focused, comfortable working directly with municipal clients.
• An engineer who can manage projects end to end, from development and design through delivery.
• A person who can collaborate across disciplines, including with operations and maintenance staff, scientists, and design professionals.

Tips for this application

• State your PE license clearly, including the state(s) where you are licensed, since this is a requirement for the role.
• Highlight specific drinking water projects you have managed or supported, especially any involving municipal clients in Missouri or Illinois.
• Mention any experience working with operations and maintenance teams, since the role involves close coordination with that division.
• Reference Woodard & Curran's employee-ownership structure in your cover letter to show you understand how the firm operates.
• If you have worked on projects in Missouri or Illinois, name the communities or utilities involved to show regional familiarity.

What to cover in your cover letter

Explain why you want to work for an employee-owned firm and what that means to you. Describe your experience managing drinking water projects for municipal clients. Show that you can collaborate with operations and maintenance staff, not just design teams. Give a concrete example of a drinking water project you delivered and the outcome for the community.

Research before applying

• Read Woodard & Curran's website sections on drinking water services and their Operations & Maintenance Division.
• Look up recent drinking water projects the firm has completed in Missouri and Illinois.
• Understand what employee ownership means at Woodard & Curran, including how it affects decision-making and culture.
• Check the firm's stated values around clean water, safe environment, and healthy communities to see if they match your own priorities.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How you have managed drinking water projects for municipal clients, including scope, budget, and schedule.
• Your experience coordinating with operations and maintenance teams on water infrastructure projects.
• How you handle client relationships when project requirements or timelines change.
• Your familiarity with drinking water regulations and treatment or distribution systems in Missouri and Illinois.
• Why you want to work at an employee-owned firm and how you would contribute to its culture.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without a PE license or without stating your license status clearly.
• Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention drinking water, municipal clients, or Missouri/Illinois.
• Focusing only on design experience and ignoring the project management and client-facing aspects of the role.