Senior Watershed Scientist, Engineer or Hydrologist

Los Angeles, CA

Full Time

Environmental & Earth Systems

Experienced

About Us
We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 550+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place to Work® certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team member experiences.

About The Role

Rincon Consultants is seeking a Senior Watershed Scientist, Engineer, or Hydrologist with strong experience in stormwater compliance, watershed management, and water quality program implementation. This role will lead high-visibility projects, manage key client relationships, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to deliver complex regulatory and watershed programs. Working closely with Principals and Directors, the selected candidate will drive program development, regulatory strategy, and practice growth across municipal, utility, and private sector clients, with a focus on leadership and project delivery rather than hands-on modeling

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 the following Rincon offices: Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura. Targeting candidates in the Los Angeles, Central Coast and NorCal areas.

What You'll Do

Lead high-visibility stormwater compliance, watershed management, and water quality program projects for municipal, utility, and private sector clients
Serve as the day-to-day project and task order lead across multiple contracts, ensuring successful delivery, schedule, and budget performance
Provide technical leadership and regulatory strategy support for NPDES permitting and compliance programs (e.g., MS4, construction, industrial stormwater)
Oversee watershed management programs, compliance monitoring and reporting, and special study efforts related to water quality, surface water, and groundwater
Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams and collaborate closely with Principals and Directors to deliver complex environmental work
Manage and strengthen key client relationships, supporting program development and long-term account growth
Contribute to practice growth by identifying new opportunities, supporting proposals, and expanding Rincon’s stormwater and watershed service offerings
Support leadership opportunities in integrated water resource management and sustainable groundwater management (as aligned with candidate expertise)

What You'll Bring

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Hydrology, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Geology, Environmental Science, or another related field
QSD/P or QISP certification with 5 years of experience,
10+ years of direct experience, including senior project management responsibilities in water resources, stormwater, or watershed programs.
California PE/PG, or EIT/GIT license with strong experience,
In-depth knowledge of, and demonstrated experience, managing one or multiple of the following:
NPDES Phase I/II MS4 permit and municipal stormwater compliance programs
NPDES construction and industrial stormwater permits
TMDL implementation and water quality monitoring and reporting
Water quality special studies
Watershed level planning, monitoring programs, or multi-agency initiatives
Exceptional knowledge of hydrologic, water quality, and ecological processes in watersheds and water bodies, including pollutant sources and their impacts on water quality and human health effects and risk
Experience with or understanding surface water, watershed, and/or groundwater modeling software (e.g., HEC-HMS, SWAT, MODFLOW)
Demonstrated ability to formulate and solve highly technical problems related to water quality, with strong organizational and time management skills
Demonstrated experience tracking, pursuing, and winning new opportunities with new or existing clients
Exceptional technical writing, interpersonal, and communication skills
Use of statistical programs and techniques to support data analyses
Strong skills and proficiency in ArcGIS and using remote data

Preferred Qualifications

Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) or CPSWQ,
Caltrans Water Pollution Control Manager certification or related experience,
Advanced degree in hydrogeology, environmental engineering, environmental science, geology, or natural resources science, with emphasis on water resources or closely related discipline,
Current OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER, or
Additional water resource or watershed credentials a plus.

Investing In You
The base salary range for this full-time position is $110,000–$150,000, 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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