Surface & Storm Water Practice Area Lead

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 260 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: $150,250 - $210,050. Based on our Irvine, CA office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location: Our preferred locations are – Irvine, Sacramento, Davis, or San Diego ( ).

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

Position Description:

Surface and Storm Water Practice Area Lead

This role will have close collaboration with executive leaders and other practice area leads across the firm.

West Yost is seeking an entrepreneurial and collaborative leader to grow and guide our Surface and Storm Water practice across California. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a practice area that is essential to resilient communities and integrated water management.

Our Surface and Storm Water Practice Area Lead (PAL) will lead a team of passionate, multidisciplinary professionals within a company known for its values-driven culture, technical excellence, and strong client partnerships. At West Yost, we prioritize long-term relationships—with our clients and our people. We are 100% employee-owned and deeply committed to fostering an environment of trust, mentorship, and continuous learning.

This role is ideal for a technically strong and relationship-savvy professional who is motivated to make a lasting impact. The PAL will be empowered to build the practice with support from West Yost’s leadership, access to our robust network of sector leaders and clients, and resources to expand their influence regionally. This position also offers a clear path to future advancement, including potential progression to a Business Sector Leader role, for individuals who demonstrate initiative, vision, and integrity.

In addition to technical and project leadership, the PAL will partner with West Yost’s Business Sector Leader managing the operational and financial health of the practice. This includes planning and managing growth, developing new and existing markets, and driving consistent revenue performance for the practice.

Essential Duties:

Practice Leadership and Development

• Provide leadership, direction, and mentorship to a team of engineers and technical staff across multiple offices.
• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented team environment, focused on technical excellence and client service.
• Balance team workload, track resourcing needs, and support recruiting and onboarding of new staff.
• Guide quality control/quality assurance efforts and support technical skill development aligned with career progression.
• This role provides the opportunity to shape culture, drive innovation, and leave a meaningful legacy within a growing, future-focused practice.

Business Management, Development and Strategic Growth

• Develop and implement an annual business plan aligned with company strategic goals.
• Lead efforts to expand the Surface and Storm Water portfolio, identifying emerging markets, trends, and client needs.
• Identify and pursue stormwater and surface water project opportunities across California.
• Strengthen and expand client relationships with public agencies and regional partners.
• Establish annual performance goals and practice-level Key Performance Indexes (KPIs) in partnership with the BSL.
• Partner with the Business Sector Leader (BSL) to track performance against revenue, utilization, backlog, write-offs, and other KPIs.
• Manage forecasting, utilization, and resource planning to meet practice area revenue and profit targets.
• Coordinate with Area Market Leads, Client Service Managers, and other PALs to cross-sell West Yost services.
• Support grant strategy, pursuit of funded projects, and alternative delivery models.
• Success in this role will directly influence the trajectory of West Yost’s service offerings and create new pathways for the PAL’s professional growth within the firm.

Technical Oversight and Project Delivery

• Serve as project manager, technical advisor, or QA/QC lead for complex water resources projects.
• Oversee and contribute to hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using tools such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, InfoWorks, and similar platforms.
• Lead or contribute to design and planning of storm drainage systems, flood control infrastructure, and green/nature-based solutions.
• Integrate restoration of wetlands, riparian corridors, and riverine systems into infrastructure planning where appropriate.
• Develop and review engineering reports, technical memoranda, and construction documents.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without written notice.

Qualifications:

Required Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or Water Resources Engineering.
• 15+ years of experience in consulting engineering with increasing leadership responsibility.
• PE licensure in California, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Demonstrated expertise in stormwater and flood control modeling and design.
• Proven ability to manage financial performance, lead strategic pursuits, and translate technical expertise into market growth strategies.
• Proven experience mentoring staff and leading multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Master’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• Background in environmental restoration or green infrastructure.
• Knowledge of regulatory and funding frameworks (e.g., FEMA, SWRCB, Cal OES).
• Active involvement in relevant professional associations (e.g., CASQA, FMA, APWA).

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.