Senior Field Hydrologist

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore projects across communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeast United States.

ESA is seeking a highly motivated Senior Field Hydrologist to join our team of hydrologists, geomorphologists, ecologists, and engineers in the Northern California region
. This is an exempt, full-time salary role with flexible hybrid expectations. Qualified candidates must be willing to work hybrid from one of our Northern CA ESA office locations as needed (Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, or Petaluma). The role involves occasional travel for site visits, projects, and in-person collaboration.

Work samples may be requested as a step in the interview process.

• Proficient working knowledge in MATLAB or Python (preferred); R experience also considered.
• Professional experience with topo-bathymetric surveys (Hypack) or continuous monitoring networks.
• Experience with ArcGIS.
• Experience with QA/QC of scientific datasets.
• 10+ years of professional work experience in scientific data collection and quality control, including topographic/bathymetric surveying, UAV, sidescan sonar, ADCP, stream gauging, sediment studies, water‑quality monitoring, or related skills, plus project‑management experience.
• Extensive experience with continuous hydrodynamic and water‑quality data collection and telemetered data delivery systems.
• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Land Surveying, Water Quality, or a related field.
• Effective team member with excellent oral and written communication skills; can work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Can communicate technical information clearly and concisely to individuals and groups.
• Comfortable working in and around water, with experience using tools on boats.
• Preference for candidates with certifications or skills such as Certified/Trained Boat Operator, Sidescan Sonar, FAA‑Certified Drone Pilot with LiDAR, Estuarine Water Quality Analysis, Certified Hydrographer, or Professional Land Surveyor.
• Enjoys fieldwork, can walk long distances carrying a backpack, and is able to lift at least 50 pounds. Confident working outdoors in remote, rural, and urban environments and in all weather conditions. May require early morning, late night, weekend work, and long hours.

• Plan, schedule, and execute field data collection, quality control, and analysis for ecosystem restoration, flood management, fish passage, and other water‑resource and environmental engineering projects.
• Deploy and maintain instrumentation; conduct topographic and bathymetric surveys, geomorphic, discharge, sediment transport, and wave studies; and manage construction and post‑construction monitoring activities.
• Apply Python, MATLAB, ArcGIS, AutoCAD, HYPACK, Aquarius, and other tools to process data, develop basemaps, evaluate discharge, tide, and water‑quality conditions, monitor channel and vegetation development, calculate sedimentation rates, and perform related tasks.
• Write technical reports describing data collection methods and results; develop and adhere to data‑collection and quality‑control procedures.
• Work both at desk and outdoors—along coastlines, estuaries, streams, rivers, and on boats; manage projects and tasks independently and supervise others in executing work assignments.
• Demonstrate solid data‑collection, analysis, and writing skills; thrive in a fast‑paced, challenging environment; balance multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
• Perform other ad‑hoc tasks as needed.

Our Environmental Hydrology and Design team includes engineers, hydrologists, geomorphologists, and landscape architects. Much of our work is oriented toward the restoration of habitat and ecosystem function, often as part of multi‑benefit projects. As a highly integrated team, we value creative thinking, teamwork, and multidisciplinary engagement.

To read about some of our exciting…