Subject Matter Expert – Stormwater Management

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Job Description:

Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Stormwater Management

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Subject Matter Expert - Stormwater Management to join our team! The SME – Stormwater Management is responsible for providing technical expertise, strategic guidance, and project oversight for stormwater programs, infrastructure, and compliance. This role supports planning, design, implementation, and optimization of stormwater systems to reduce flooding, protect water quality, and ensure regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal requirements. The SME will serve as the primary technical resource on stormwater issues, supporting cross-functional teams (engineering, operations, environmental compliance, construction, and maintenance).

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the planning and design of stormwater and urban drainage systems in Abu Dhabi, including:
  • Stormwater networks (pipelines, culverts, channels)
  • Detention/retention basins, soakaways, and infiltration systems
  • Pumping stations and outfalls
  • Coastal and marine outfall considerations
• Review and approve stormwater designs, drawings, and technical reports submitted by consultants and contractors.
• Recommend innovative solutions including green infrastructure, low impact development (LID), and nature-based solutions adapted to Abu Dhabi’s climate and soil conditions.
• Interpret and apply relevant Abu Dhabi and UAE regulations, codes, and guidelines, including:
  • Abu Dhabi Emirate environmental regulations and guidance
  • Abu Dhabi Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) standards
  • Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (QCC) standards, where applicable
  • Applicable Federal UAE environmental and water regulations
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Stormwater and drainage design manuals and codes of practice
  • Environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements for major projects
  • Coastal and marine protection guidelines for discharge points.
• Support permitting and approvals processes with Abu Dhabi authorities (e.g., DMT, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), and other relevant entities).
• Contribute to the development and updating of:
  • Stormwater and drainage master plans
  • Design criteria and technical standards for Abu Dhabi
  • Stormwater management policies, including sustainability and environmental protection goals.
• Support integration of stormwater considerations into urban planning, transport corridors, and large-scale developments (e.g., new city expansions, industrial areas, coastal developments).
• Provide input into asset management strategies for stormwater infrastructures, including inventory, condition assessment, and lifecycle planning.
• Provide expert support during construction phases:
  • Review and approve method statements related to stormwater works.
  • Monitor quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) for stormwater infrastructure construction.
• Investigate recurring drainage issues, system failures, and provide root-cause analysis and corrective action plans.
• Support integration of stormwater quality controls (e.g., oil-water separators, sediment traps, filtration systems) where relevant.
• Coordinate with government agencies (DMT, EAD, municipalities, utility providers), developers, consultants, and contractors, and key stakeholders in transport, industrial, and coastal development.
• Prepare clear, concise technical documentation, guidelines, and presentations suitable for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Support the development and maintenance of stormwater GIS databases and asset registers.
• Use modeling tools and spatial analysis to identify risk hotspots and system capacity constraints.
• Prepare technical reports, concept and feasibility studied, and periodic performance reviews of stromwater systems and projects.
• Contribute to dashboards and key performance indicators (KPIs) for stormwater and flood risk management in Abu Dhabi.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Typically, 20+ years of experience in stormwater management, urban drainage, or water resources engineering, with at least part of this experience in arid or semi-arid climates, large-scale urban or infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Stormwater and drainage design and modeling
  • Flood risk assessment and mitigation
  • Coordination with government authorities and regulatory bodies.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Hydrology and hydraulics in arid climates
  • Urban drainage systems and flood mitigation measures
  • Stormwater BMPs and feasible green infrastructure for hot, dry regions.
• Proficiency in:
  • Stormwater modeling software (e.g., SWMM, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, MIKE URBAN, or similar)
  • GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS)
  • Standard office applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical findings into practical solutions.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, including cross-cultural collaboration.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Master’s degree in Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, or Infrastructure Planning is preferred.
• Familiarity with Abu Dhabi and UAE regulatory framework for infrastructure, planning, and environment.
• Relevant certificates in flood risk management, hydrology/hydraulics, or environmental management are beneficial.
• Previous experience in the GCC region, particularly UAE/Abu Dhabi, is strongly preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE), Chartered Engineer, or equivalent professional registration is preferred.
• Membership in recognized engineering bodies (e.g., ICE, ASCE, or similar) is an advantage.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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