Principal or Director, Stormwater & Watershed Sciences

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

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Principal or Director, Stormwater & Watershed Sciences to lead and grow our construction and industrial stormwater quality services throughout California.

This senior leadership role will focus on developing client programs related to California’s Construction and Industrial General Permits compliance, stormwater monitoring, SWPPP development and BMP implementation, regulatory strategy, and program management. The ideal candidate will be a strong seller-doer who can build client relationships, win work, provide senior technical leadership, and grow a high-performing practice.

Candidates with broader experience in municipal stormwater and MS4 compliance, TMDLs, watershed management, and regional water quality programs will also have opportunities to support and expand Rincon’s broader Watershed Sciences practice.

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. We may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible office locations for this role include Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and grow Rincon’s construction, industrial, and related stormwater quality services through strategic business development and client program expansion.
• Serve as a senior advisor to clients NPDES and WDR requirements, compliance obligations, and regulatory challenges.
• Develop and expand programs involving water quality compliance, SWPPP development and implementation, compliance inspections, monitoring and sampling, SMARTS reporting, BMPs, corrective actions, and training.
• Lead pursuits, proposals, scopes, budgets, and capture strategies for new and existing clients.
• Provide senior technical and program oversight to ensure quality, schedule, budget, and client satisfaction.
• Build long-term relationships with public agencies, utilities, transportation and infrastructure clients, industrial operators, developers, contractors, and other regulated entities.
• Mentor staff and support recruiting, team development, and consistent technical delivery across the practice.
• Collaborate across Rincon to identify opportunities that connect construction and industrial stormwater services with broader municipal stormwater, watersheds, and water quality programs.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Geology, Water Resources, or a related field.
• ​​​​​​​15+ years of progressively responsible experience in stormwater, water quality compliance, environmental consulting, or related services.
• Strong knowledge of California’s Construction General Permit and/or Industrial General Permit.
• Experience developing and managing large compliance programs with SWPPP implementation, BMP inspections, water quality sampling and monitoring, reporting, and corrective action planning.
• Proven business development experience, including cultivating client relationships, identifying opportunities, leading proposals, and winning work.
• Experience leading complex client programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong business acumen and experience with budgets, staffing, scopes, contracts, and risk management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage clients, regulators, and technical teams.

Nice to Have

• Experience with municipal stormwater programs, MS4 permit compliance, TMDLs, watershed management, or regional water quality initiatives.
• ​​​​​​​Established relationships with California public agencies, utilities, transportation agencies, industrial operators, developers, or contractors.
• California PE, PG, or other relevant professional registration.
• Stormwater credentials such as QISP, QSD, QSP, CPSWQ, CISEC, or similar certifications.
• Experience developing multi-office or statewide client programs.
• Industry visibility through professional associations, conferences, publications, training, or related leadership activities.
• Experience and client relationships in Southern California and the greater Los Angeles region.

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $150,000 to $200,000 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 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.