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. About The Role 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. How We Collaborate 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. (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) What You’ll Do 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.
• What You’ll Bring 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.
• Demonstrated success developing and maintaining a strong client base within Southern California. Established relationships with municipal, regional, or state water agencies.
• Experience with water supply planning, recycled water, wastewater, groundwater, water quality, modeling, asset management, and SGMA studies and implementation.
• Active involvement in water-sector or environmental industry organizations at the regional or statewide level.
• Proven leadership, business development, and client service management experience.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of project management systems, budgeting, scheduling, scoping, cost analysis, and resource planning.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and AI-driven tools supporting water resource planning, infrastructure asset management, predictive modeling, or regulatory compliance.
• Experience integrating data analytics, automation, or digital workflows into environmental planning or water infrastructure programs.
• Experience leading large, multi-office or programmatic client accounts. (Nice to Have) Investing In You The base salary range for this full-time position is $140,000–$180,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
• We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.
• Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page . Additional Employment Information Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment.
• Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws. Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants.
• Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual.
• Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer.
• All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs.
• We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.
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