Impact Where It Counts: ISG's Rural Surface Water Careers

Flooding, water quality concerns, aging drainage systems, and climate variability continue to reshape how rural landscapes function. ISG’s rural surface water professionals are at the forefront of these challenges, designing solutions that protect land, improve water quality, and strengthen communities.

Inside ISG’s Rural Surface Water Team

Our team includes project managers, environmental scientists, and engineers who collaborate to move projects from concept through construction. These efforts include recent Batch and Build projects, tiered wetland systems, and drainage water recycling practices.

By emphasizing collaboration and follow-through, ISG professionals develop technical depth, project leadership skills, and a clear understanding of how their work creates lasting impact on communities and landscapes. Each role, including those below, offers team members opportunities to contribute to creative solutions and strengthen client relationships.

• Project Management + Delivery: Guide projects from planning through completion, align solutions with client goals, coordinate teams, and mentor colleagues.
• Engineering Design + Conservation Practices: Design edge-of-field and landscape-scale solutions such as wetlands, buffers, bioreactors, and stormwater systems to improve water quality and manage runoff.
• Modeling, Data, and Geographic Information System (GIS) Applications: Use hydrologic, hydraulic, and water quality modeling plus GIS and spatial analysis to evaluate flood risk, optimize drainage, and support watershed planning.
• Watershed + Climate-Resilient Planning: Develop strategies that prioritize conservation, enhance resilience, and align solutions with community and landowner goals.

“After finishing college as a nontraditional student, joining ISG gave me the chance to jump into batch and build projects I really care about and take the lead on them from day one,” said Erin Dwenger, graduate engineer. “My team has been so supportive. Thanks to them, I’ve been able to grow and pick up new skills right away while also exploring other professional development opportunities.”

Where Engineering Meets Stewardship

From urban and rural stormwater management to wetland restoration and mitigation, our rural surface water services connect engineering, data, and stewardship to deliver practical results where they matter most—the people and places ISG serves.

We help landowners, communities, and watershed organizations manage water effectively, reducing flood risk, improving water quality, and supporting sustainable land use through the expertise of our civil engineering water resources team.

Build A Career That Makes A Difference

Our surface water professionals are trusted early, supported by collaborative teams, and encouraged to grow specialized expertise. The work is purposeful, impactful, and engaging, making ISG a place to build a meaningful career while shaping better water outcomes. We bring together talent from universities across the nation, creating a culture where fresh ideas thrive. This is paired with direct access to experienced leaders who are passionate about coaching the next generation of innovators.

ISG empowers multidisciplinary team members to grow their careers, make a real impact, and take ownership of their work. As an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) firm, every team member is an employee owner who shares in the firm’s success and shapes its future. We invest in employee success through programs including internships, firm-sponsored training and licensure, annual workshops, mentorship, and coaching.

Curious about our career opportunities? Visit our Careers page for more information.