Director​/Principal - Water Resources

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.

We are seeking a Water Market focused Director/Principal to join our Environmental Sciences, Planning & Sustainability (EPS) practice. This senior leadership role is responsible for leading and growing Rincon’s Water Market presence throughout Southern California.

As a member of Rincon’s senior leadership team, you will guide strategic growth, strengthen client relationships, and elevate Rincon’s visibility in the water sector. This role offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with local and statewide leadership, lead multi‑disciplinary teams, and oversee complex, high‑impact projects supporting water agencies and infrastructure providers throughout the region.

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 Los Angeles, Ventura, Carlsbad or San Diego.

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Please note:

While this position may be listed under a specific city, candidates located near any of the offices listed above are encouraged to apply)

Technical Leadership and Client Delivery

• Lead and oversee multi‑disciplinary water resources programs, including planning, permitting, CEQA/NEPA compliance, and construction compliance efforts.
• Direct complex project teams across water resources planning, groundwater sustainability, climate adaptation and resilience, regulatory permitting, environmental investigations, and construction mitigation monitoring.
• Serve as primary client manager and trusted advisor for strategic water‑sector clients.
• Guide and ensure consistency, quality, and technical excellence across all phases of project delivery, from proposal development through final reporting.
• Conduct and oversee agency consultations at the federal, state, and local levels to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Represent Rincon at public meetings, hearings, and presentations to agency decision‑making bodies.

Business Development and Operations

• Expand and strengthen Rincon’s Water Market client base throughout Southern California.
• Lead business development efforts, including proposal strategy, pursuit development, interviews, marketing, networking, and client outreach.
• Contribute to and implement the annual Business Plan and five‑year Strategic Plan for the Water Market sector.
• Support financial performance, project management oversight, backlog planning, utilization tracking, and reporting requirements.
• Oversee quality assurance/quality control procedures and support company risk management initiatives.

Technical Development and Team Leadership

• Grow, mentor, and develop Rincon’s Water Team through recruitment, staffing, coaching, and performance management.
• Supervise and guide staff to promote productivity, engagement, professional development, and recognition.
• Mentor mid‑level staff in developing leadership, client management, and project management skills.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental science, planning, or a related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in project, program, or client management supporting potable water, wastewater, recycled water, or water supply infrastructure projects.
• Demonst…