Water Resources Planner

San Diego, CA
Full Time
Environmental & Earth Systems
Mid Level

About Us

We are a California-based environmental consulting firm with 500+ professionals and over 30 years of experience serving clients across the transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. We are proud to be a Certified Great Place to Work, as reflected in the experiences our employees share on Glassdoor and the trust, connection, and sense of purpose felt across our company. 

Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems. At Rincon, people come first. We value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and we are committed to creating an environment where everyone can grow, contribute meaningfully, and do their best work. 

About The Role 

We are seeking a Water Resources Planner who is excited about supporting and advancing our growing portfolio of watershed resilience planning, Groundwater Sustainability Plans and Alternatives, and other water resource planning efforts across California. In this role, your will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to conduct research and site investigations, perform policy analysis, and prepare high-quality planning documents that guide long-term water sustainability. This work is in collaboration with the Project Manager and Principal-in-Charge. You will contribute to community outreach and engagement efforts and help build and support strong client relationships through project delivery. We are looking for a motivated, curious, enthusiastic, and eager individual to make tangible impact from day one! This is your chance to grow fast, learn from quality leaders in the field, and help shape the next generation of water resources planning across California.


How We Collaborate 

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include: Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and/or Ventura.   
 
What You’ll Do 

  • Contribute to Urban and Agricultural Water Management Plans (UWMPs/AWMPs) that guide how California’s cities and farms use and manage water 
  • Support the implementation, periodic evaluations, annual reporting, Groundwater Sustainability Plan updates, and other Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) related activities by gathering data, analyzing trends, and helping evaluate long-term solutions 
  • Help create watershed resilience plans that protect communities and ecosystems from climate impacts 
  • Analyze water use patterns and help forecast future water demand using real-world data, land-use trends, and climate considerations 
  • Research and summarize information on local and regional water supplies, including groundwater, recycled water, stormwater, and imported sources 
  • Participate in research, compilation, and summary of regional water supply sources and infrastructure 
  • Assist with development of water supply projections based on historical and climate-influenced hydrology 
  • Evaluate drought and climate change impacts on water supply reliability and help identify strategies to make systems more resilient 
  • Explore and assess nature-based solutions like habitat restoration, recharge projects, and green infrastructure to support long-term sustainability 
  • Assist with development of grant applications that help fund imported water, groundwater, watershed projects, recycled water, stormwater, and other water resource projects across California 
  • Assist with analysis of surface, groundwater, and treated water quality improvements 
  • Interact with various members of public agency staff on matters related to water resources 
  • Review and analysis of data for compliance with state and federal clean water regulations, plans, and policies 
  • Support marketing efforts related to water, climate, and agriculture, as well as the importance of nature-based solutions to help drive Rincon’s reputation as a leader in this space 

What You’ll Bring   

  • Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or another related field 
  • (2) Two years of relevant experience required 
  • Strong writing and communication skills, especially for summarizing technical information 
  • Strong understanding of California’s water resources, systems, and policies
  • Basic experience working with organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data information 
  • Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft products (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) 
  • Ability to work collaboratively, ask questions, stay organized, and manage several small tasks at one time 
  • Background in water resources, water policy, climate resilience, or environmental planning. 
  • Willingness to learn new tools, methods, and regulatory frameworks 
  • Ability to participate in office-based collaboration at one of the Rincon offices
  • Has prior experience/research for water supply or watershed management 
  • Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and willingness to travel as projects require 

Nice To Have

  • Coursework, internship experience, or project work related to watershed science, groundwater, climate adaptation, hydrology, hydrogeology, or water supply planning 
  • Familiarity with California water policies (i.e., water rights, Clean Water Act, SGMA) and exposure to water quality or environmental regulatory compliance topics 
  • Experience contributing or writing UWMPs and other regional water management planning documents 
  • Experience analyzing water demand, working with water-use datasets, or evaluating climate-influenced trends 
  • Excellent planning, budgeting, and organizational skills 
  • Eager to streamline and improve process and workflows 
  • Highly motivated with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team 
  • Detail-oriented, resourceful, strong time management skills, and innovative 
  • Self-starter willing to tackle a variety of tasks simultaneously 

Investing In You 
 

The base salary range for this full-time position is $65,000.00–$114,000.00, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. 
 

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement. 
 

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page. 
 

Additional Employment Information 

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws. 


 

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

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