Hybrid Senior Scientist II - Watershed & Water Resources at West Yost Associates

Who we are:

We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work® based on feedback from our community of over 250 team members.  We ranked top three in the AEC Advisors 2021 and 2022 Diversity Index Top Firms and were recognized as one of Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services in 2023 and 2024.  Since 1990, our mission has been to be the water firm of choice for both our clients and our team. Over the years we have built upon that mission and now integrate a host of high-quality services in groundwater, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater, recycled water, construction management, and operations technology from our multiple locations in the west.  As a team, we work with our clients to understand their true needs. Our long-term relationships are based on integrity, partnership, and high-value solutions. In 2025 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

Standard benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

SENIOR SCIENTIST II - WATERSHED & WATER RESOURCES 

West Yost is seeking a Senior Scientist with experience in water resources, watershed program planning and management, public communications, grant funding, and project development and management for our Northern California offices. In this role, the successful candidate will lead water resources and watershed projects and programs for municipal clients and stakeholder processes. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 15 years of experience with supporting and managing municipal programs including integrated water resources planning and implementation, developing and managing budgets, staff, and technical subcontractors, stakeholder engagement, multi-party collaborations, and public outreach. The candidate will work collaboratively with other senior staff and be responsible for coordination and completion of various project elements. The candidate will serve in a senior client-focused role leading and managing projects, producing high quality deliverables, maintaining project schedules and budgets, coordinating with clients, contributing to practice growth, and mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities will include:

• Lead or support high-profile regional programs such as watershed and groundwater basin-defined collaborations formed to support water resource initiatives, advocate for public agency interests, conduct or facilitate technical tasks, and provide a public forum.
• Lead or support high-profile, complex planning projects, such as water resource resiliency and watershed studies, regional master plans, and other planning or restoration studies.
• Lead or support grant funding initiatives including project development and advocacy, preparation of applications, oversight of task implementation, and administration. 
• Lead or support stakeholder processes
• Mentor junior staff to advance technical and professional skill sets 
• Lead or support watershed and water quality assessments and conventional aspects of watershed planning, Best Management Practices (BMP) prioritization, and management.
• Provide technical support in the areas of environmental and water resources management initiatives, research, field work, analysis, GIS/data management, and monitoring
• Evaluate water and other integrated benefit programs and project costs
• Prepare written and graphic reports and make presentations
• Prepare scientific documents regarding water quality, watershed management, land use, and best management practices
• Participate in client meetings and coordinate with regulatory agencies
• Develop and manage project budgets and schedules
• Participate in local and regional water resources organizations, as appropriate on behalf of West Yost
• Some local travel will be required and occasional travel outside of local area may be required

Minimum Requirements:

• BA/BS in environmental sciences, natural resources, or related field and 15+ years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience
• Experience working in the capacity of a program or project manager
• Experience in business development and client relationship management with municipal agencies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in environmental sciences, natural resources, or related field and 10+ years of directly applicable experience
• Experience developing strategies and planning initiatives related to watershed resiliency, climate adaptation, integrated water resources management, TMDL development or compliance, and water quality related studies
• Ability to write well, distill supporting information in the scientific literature, and communicate technical issues to a wide range of readers
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills; experience facilitating stakeholder groups
• Understanding of personal role in supporting marketing of company services by delivering high-quality, accurate work products to clients and internal groups
• Proficient in using software applications such as the Microsoft Office Suite and ArcGIS

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

*This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence.  We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees.  Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

A day in the life:

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance.  All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs.  We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us. Our annual company-wide monthly staff meetings, annual in-person All Staff meeting, Duck Dinner, company camping events, company celebrations, and other company-sponsored events provide an important part of the West Yost culture, which is to have fun.

Other unique benefits:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.