Asset Management Practice Area Lead presso 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 260 team members.  We ranked top three in the AEC Advisors 2021 and 2022 Diversity Index Top Firms and have been recognized as one of Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 – 2025.  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:  $126,640 - $185,530.  Based on our Davis, CA office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

LOCATION: Can sit in any of our office locations - (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).

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

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.

ASSET MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AREA LEAD

The Practice Area Lead (PAL) of the Asset Management practice is a leadership role focused on guiding West Yost’s asset management practice across clients, teams, and business sectors. The PAL will lead and grow the delivery of asset management services that help our clients make data-informed, risk-based decisions about how and when to maintain, repair, or replace infrastructure. West Yost services span the full spectrum of asset management maturity – from foundational assessments and inventory development to strategic planning, system integration, and advanced modeling.

As a senior leader, the PAL will oversee a growing team of multidisciplinary professionals, supporting their technical development, workload balance, and career growth. The PAL will guide project delivery and quality assurance, and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and client-focused service.

West Yost is a values-driven, 100% employee-owned firm committed to building long-term partnerships with our clients and our people. We invest in technical excellence, mentorship, and professional growth across all levels. The Asset Management Practice Area is central to West Yost’s mission of delivering resilient, data-informed infrastructure solutions.

This role is ideal for a technically strong and relationship-driven professional who is ready to lead a practice, mentor staff, and shape the future of asset management for West Yost. 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, contributing and/or leading firm-wide initiatives, and driving consistent revenue performance for the practice.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Practice Leadership and Development

• Lead and mentor the Asset Management team, including staff supervision, workload management, performance reviews, and professional development.
• Recruit, onboard, and grow the practice with a focus on staff retention, culture-building, and career progression.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and growth-oriented team environment that values technical excellence and client service.
• Oversee quality assurance/quality control processes and guide the development of internal standards and best practices.
• Shape the long-term culture and direction of a future-focused practice area within West Yost.

Business Development and Strategic Growth

• Develop and maintain a 3-year strategic growth plan for the Asset Management practice area.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand services with current and new clients, including cross-sector collaboration.
• Lead proposal development and/or serve as a technical contributor and reviewer for proposals and strategic documents.
• Strengthen internal awareness of asset management by educating Client Service Managers, Business Sector Leaders, and cross-functional teams.
• Maintain visibility in the industry by attending conferences and professional events, building new relationships, and promoting West Yost’s services.
• Partner with marketing and communications to maintain and update practice-related content on the firm’s website, intranet, and external-facing materials.

Project Delivery and Technical Oversight

• Manage a diverse client portfolio, serving as project manager and strategic advisor for asset management projects.
• Guide project delivery and oversee work performed by staff, including technical quality, schedule, budget, and client communication.
• Deliver projects aligned with asset management industry best practices including IIMM, IAM, and the EPA.
• Provide subject matter expertise in:
  • Asset management maturity/gap assessment
  • Asset inventory and hierarchy
  • Asset and facility condition and risk assessment
  • Capital planning and decision frameworks
  • Maintenance strategy and CMMS selection & integration
  • Lifecycle cost analysis and asset performance modeling
  • KPI development and levels of service/performance measurement
  • Budgeting and resource prioritization
  • Technology evaluations and functional requirements development
• Develop and apply technical standards, process guides, and specifications tailored to municipal utility clients.
• Participate in professional organizations such as AWWA, WEF, and IAM, and stay current on emerging trends and technologies.
• Collaborate with other West Yost practice areas (e.g., Water Resources, Treatment, Infrastructure, Groundwater, OT & Cybersecurity) to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support internal initiatives, including succession planning, staff development, and firmwide collaboration.

Other Duties

This job description is not intended to cover every possible task, responsibility, or activity. Duties may evolve over time based on client needs, practice growth, and strategic direction.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Finance, or Economics
• 15+ years’ experience in municipal utility management or engineering consulting or engineering management with emphasis in municipal utility management
• Excellent writing and communication skills are essential
• Strong communication and collaboration skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Knowledge of municipal water and wastewater utility operation, maintenance, and management practices
• Knowledge of municipal water and wastewater utility assets and equipment
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems and their value supporting asset management programs
• Knowledge of advanced asset management principles associated with the Institute of Asset Management
• Knowledge of condition assessment practices associated with water and sewer pipelines and mechanical equipment found at water and wastewater treatment plants

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.