How to apply for Drinking Water Technical 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 ownership model means employees have a direct stake in the firm's success. The company describes a collaborative culture with flexibility and professional growth.

About the role

This role leads drinking water infrastructure projects for municipal clients across the Northeast. You will serve as a technical advisor and manager for treatment facilities, distribution systems, storage, resiliency planning, and regulatory compliance. The position combines technical leadership with the chance to build ownership in the firm.

A typical day

A typical day may include reviewing design work for a water treatment or distribution project, meeting with a municipal client about a capital improvement program, and coordinating with internal engineering teams. The role also involves mentoring staff and tracking project delivery against regulatory and budget requirements. Exact daily routines should be confirmed in the interview, as the job description does not detail them.

Who Woodard & Curran is looking for

• Licensed Professional Engineer with 15+ years of drinking water infrastructure design experience
• Experience managing planning, design, and delivery of municipal drinking water projects
• Knowledge of water treatment, transmission and distribution, storage, and regulatory compliance
• Able to serve as a trusted technical advisor to municipal clients and influence capital improvement programs

Tips for this application

• State your PE license number and the state(s) where you are licensed clearly on your resume and application.
• Quantify your 15+ years of drinking water design experience with specific project types, sizes, and client types (municipal, Northeast region if applicable).
• Name specific drinking water regulations or compliance initiatives you have worked on, since the role includes regulatory compliance.
• Mention any experience with capital improvement programs or infrastructure investment decisions, as the role involves influencing major infrastructure investments.
• Address the ownership opportunity directly in your cover letter by explaining why an employee-owned firm appeals to you.

What to cover in your cover letter

Highlight your PE license and 15+ years of drinking water design experience. Describe specific municipal drinking water projects you have led, including treatment, distribution, or storage. Explain your approach to advising municipal clients on capital improvement and regulatory compliance. State why employee ownership at Woodard & Curran fits your career goals.

Research before applying

• Review Woodard & Curran's drinking water project portfolio and any Northeast regional projects listed on their website.
• Understand the employee ownership structure (ESOP or similar) and what it means for compensation and decision-making.
• Look up recent news or press releases about Woodard & Curran's water practice growth or major project wins.
• Check the backgrounds of the Water Team leadership to understand the practice's technical focus areas.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Your experience leading drinking water treatment facility design from planning through delivery
• How you have advised municipal clients on capital improvement programs and infrastructure investments
• Specific regulatory compliance challenges you have solved for drinking water systems
• How you manage technical teams and coordinate across engineering disciplines
• Why you want to work at an employee-owned firm and how ownership changes your approach to work

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without a PE license or without stating your license status, since this is a stated requirement.
• Submitting a generic resume that does not show 15+ years of drinking water-specific design experience.
• Ignoring the employee ownership aspect, which is a central part of the company's identity and this job's pitch.