Applied AI Transformation Leader

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 270 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range: $115,020 - $155,265.  Based on our office Davis, CA location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location(s): Davis, CA  ( ).

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

You will assume responsibility for helping shape and advance the practical application of Artificial Intelligence throughout West Yost. This role combines strategic leadership, organizational transformation, client engagement, and applied AI expertise. The ultimate goal is to help West Yost responsibly leverage AI to improve how we operate, enhance the value we deliver to clients, and position the firm as a trusted leader in the responsible application of AI within the water industry.

• The Applied AI Transformation Lead is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and advancing AI opportunities that support West Yost's Strategic Plan and long-term business objectives.
• This role will partner with leaders across the firm to propose, refine, and help execute an enterprise AI strategy that aligns with our values, culture, and business priorities. The Applied AI Transformation Lead will provide recommendations and strategic direction to leadership while taking ownership of implementing approved initiatives.
• This role will help establish a long-term vision for how AI can transform West Yost's operations, service delivery, knowledge management, and client experience.
• This role will serve as a catalyst for organizational change by helping teams understand, adopt, and effectively utilize AI-enabled tools, processes, and services.
• The Applied AI Transformation Lead will collaborate with Business Sector Leaders, project managers, technical experts, and operational leaders to identify opportunities where AI can improve efficiency, quality, knowledge management, decision making, and client service.
• This role will help leadership evaluate emerging technologies, distinguish between experimentation and strategic investment opportunities, and establish achievable priorities that deliver measurable business value.
• This role will help develop and mature AI-enabled consulting services that create value for clients, including AI advisory services, AI readiness assessments, AI strategy development, and AI-supported solutions that complement West Yost's existing service offerings.
• The Applied AI Transformation Lead will participate in strategic client discussions, support proposals and pursuits, and help position West Yost as a trusted advisor in the responsible application of AI within the water industry.
• People are our core asset. As such, this role will support the development of AI capabilities across the firm by creating training programs, facilitating knowledge sharing, building communities of practice, and helping staff confidently adopt new tools and ways of working.

Specific goals and metrics will be developed with you and the Director of Strategic Initiatives. We want goals that are ambitious, achievable, and aligned with your strengths, interests, and professional development objectives. The following are representative performance objectives for your first year. These objectives are intended to guide priorities and will be refined collaboratively based on business needs, opportunities, and organizational priorities.

• Develop an enterprise AI roadmap that identifies strategic priorities, implementation opportunities, and measurable business outcomes.
• Establish a baseline understanding of AI adoption and maturity across the organization and develop recommendations for future advancement.
• Successfully launch and evaluate several high-value AI pilots or solutions that demonstrate measurable benefits to staff and project teams.
• Develop and implement a firmwide AI training and enablement program that supports effective and responsible AI adoption.
• Establish and lead an AI Champions Network that promotes knowledge sharing, innovation, and adoption across all business sectors.
• Support the development of AI-enabled service offerings and contribute to AI-related proposals, pursuits, and client engagements.
• Partner with Business Sector Leaders and project teams to identify opportunities for AI-supported client solutions and future advisory services.
• Develop practical tools, templates, guidance, and best practices that improve consistency and scalability across AI initiatives.

• Lead recurring AI Champions Network meetings and facilitate collaboration across sectors and shared services departments.
• Participate in AI Operations Team meetings and help establish priorities, monitor progress, and coordinate implementation efforts.
• Attend Business Sector meetings periodically to understand business needs, identify opportunities, and support adoption efforts.
• Attend Leadership Team meetings as requested to provide updates, present recommendations, seek input, and support strategic decision making.

Travel Requirements

*This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost 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.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

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.

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.

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.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.