Surface & Storm Water Practice Area Lead at West Yost

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.

Compensation range:  $150,250 - $210,050.  Based on our Irvine, CA office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

LOCATION: **Our preference is for this role to sit in one of these locations - Irvine, Sacramento, Davis, or San Diego - (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).**

**This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.**

Surface and Storm Water Practice Area Lead

Business Sector: Stormwater and Groundwater

Position Reports to: Business Sector Leader

This role will have close collaboration with executive leaders and other practice area leads across the firm.

BASIC JOB FUNCTION

West Yost is seeking an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader to grow and guide our Surface and Storm Water practice across California. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a practice area that is essential to resilient communities and integrated water management.

Our Surface and Storm Water Practice Area Lead (PAL) will lead a team of passionate, multidisciplinary professionals within a company known for its values-driven culture, technical excellence, and strong client partnerships. At West Yost, we prioritize long-term relationships—with our clients and our people. We are 100% employee-owned and deeply committed to fostering an environment of trust, mentorship, and continuous learning.

This role is ideal for a technically strong and relationship-savvy professional who is motivated to make a lasting impact. The PAL will be empowered to build the practice with support from West Yost’s leadership, access to our robust network of sector leaders and clients, and resources to expand their influence regionally. This position also offers a clear path to future advancement, including potential progression to a Business Sector Leader role, for individuals who demonstrate initiative, vision, and integrity.

In addition to technical and project leadership, the PAL will partner with West Yost’s Business Sector Leader managing the operational and financial health of the practice. This includes planning and managing growth, developing new and existing markets, and driving consistent revenue performance for the practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Practice Leadership and Development

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to a team of engineers and technical staff across multiple offices.
• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented team environment, focused on technical excellence and client service.
• Balance team workload, track resourcing needs, and support recruiting and onboarding of new staff.
• Guide quality control/quality assurance efforts and support technical skill development aligned with career progression.
• This role provides the opportunity to shape culture, drive innovation, and leave a meaningful legacy within a growing, future-focused practice.

Business Management, Development and Strategic Growth

• Develop and implement an annual business plan aligned with company strategic goals.
• Lead efforts to expand the Surface and Storm Water portfolio, identifying emerging markets, trends, and client needs.
• Identify and pursue stormwater and surface water project opportunities across California.
• Strengthen and expand client relationships with public agencies and regional partners.
• Establish annual performance goals and practice-level Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) in partnership with the BSL.
• Partner with the Business Sector Leader (BSL) to track performance against revenue, utilization, backlog, write-offs, and other KPIs.
• Manage forecasting, utilization, and resource planning to meet practice area revenue and profit targets.
• Coordinate with Area Market Leads, Client Service Managers, and other PALs to cross-sell West Yost services.
• Support grant strategy, pursuit of funded projects, and alternative delivery models.
• Success in this role will directly influence the trajectory of West Yost’s service offerings and create new pathways for the PAL’s professional growth within the firm.

 Technical Oversight and Project Delivery

• Serve as project manager, technical advisor, or QA/QC lead for complex water resources projects.
• Oversee and contribute to hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using tools such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, InfoWorks, and similar platforms.
• Lead or contribute to design and planning of storm drainage systems, flood control infrastructure, and green/nature-based solutions.
• Integrate restoration of wetlands, riparian corridors, and riverine systems into infrastructure planning where appropriate.
• Develop and review engineering reports, technical memoranda, and construction documents.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without written notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or Water Resources Engineering.
• 15+ years of experience in consulting engineering with increasing leadership responsibility.
• PE licensure in California, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Demonstrated expertise in stormwater and flood control modeling and design.
• Proven ability to manage financial performance, lead strategic pursuits, and translate technical expertise into market growth strategies.
• Proven experience mentoring staff and leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• Background in environmental restoration or green infrastructure.
• Knowledge of regulatory and funding frameworks (e.g., FEMA, SWRCB, Cal OES).
• Active involvement in relevant professional associations (e.g., CASQA, FMA, APWA).

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.

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.

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.