Planning Analyst

Planning Analyst – LCA WaterWorks

Help shape the future of water in the Lehigh Valley!

Are you someone who thinks beyond the project in front of you, and wants a hand in shaping how a growing region delivers safe, reliable water and wastewater service for decades to come?

As a Planning Analyst at LCA WaterWorks (LCA) in Allentown, PA, you'll lead planning studies that protect public health and the environment - work that reaches from addressing sanitary sewer overflows and changing source water quality conditions to meeting increasingly stringent treatment goals. You'll help protect drinking water from emerging contaminants, develop new treatment solutions, pilot innovative technologies, and develop new approaches to water reuse. Along the way, you'll work closely with experienced leaders at LCA and our teaming partners, and collaborate directly with operators and field services teams.

This is a strategic, high-impact role where planning meets execution. You'll influence major infrastructure investment decisions while collaborating with municipalities, regulators, and internal teams to ensure the region's systems can meet evolving demand.

If you're energized by complex systems, meaningful public impact, and the opportunity to think beyond the immediate project, this is a role where your work truly matters - we'd love to hear from you!

What the Job Looks Like

This role blends long-term system planning with hands-on project development to support regional infrastructure growth and resiliency. Day to day you'll:

• Lead planning studies that protect public health and the environment, addressing challenges such as sanitary sewer overflows, changing source water quality conditions, and more stringent treatment goals
• Help protect drinking water from emerging contaminants and develop new treatment solutions
• Pilot innovative technologies and develop new approaches to water reuse
• Evaluate at-risk pipeline crossings and help plan for armoring along river beds
• Direct and execute infiltration and inflow (I&I) reduction initiatives to improve system performance and reduce excess treatment costs
• Produce and manage technical planning studies, including hydraulic modeling, watershed planning, and water supply optimization
• Serve as a technical resource on system planning, evaluating treatment, distribution, and collection asset capacity and identifying capital investment needs
• Analyze system data such as sewer metering and billing trends to uncover anomalies and inform operational and financial decisions
• Work closely with experienced leaders at LCA and teaming partners, and collaborate with operators and field services teams to keep planning grounded in how the system actually runs
• Collaborate with municipal leaders, regulators, and large customers to address compliance requirements and advance regional service strategies
• Coordinate closely with internal teams to ensure a smooth transition of projects from planning through design and construction

What We're Looking For

This role is ideal for someone with an engineering, technical or scientific background who enjoys solving complex infrastructure challenges while balancing technical depth with collaboration and communication. You might have:

• Around 5+ years of experience in water or wastewater engineering within a utility, municipality, or consulting environment
• Hands-on experience with system planning, hydraulic modeling, or infrastructure design - and the ability to interpret complex operational data
• A strong foundation in water and wastewater systems, including collection, treatment, transmission, or supply management
• Working knowledge of environmental and utility regulations such as the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, or NPDES programs
• Experience managing or collaborating with engineering consultants and cross-functional teams on technical studies or capital projects
• The ability to clearly communicate technical and financial concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• A degree in engineering is preferred; a PE license is a plus, but not required

Just as important - you're curious, proactive, and comfortable working independently while influencing decisions across a broad group of stakeholders.

About Us

LCA WaterWorks is committed to delivering high-quality water and wastewater services to the communities it serves. The Capital Works team plays a key role in maintaining and improving the infrastructure systems that residents and businesses depend on every day. Here, you'll find a balance of technical challenge, public service, and long-term impact - where your work contributes to the safety, sustainability, and growth of the region.

What We Offer You

We value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package that ensures you and your family are well taken care of. Here's what you can look forward to when you join our team:

• Competitive Salary: $85,000 - $95,000/yr. depending on experience and role alignment
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: coverage for you and your eligible dependents, at affordable employee contribution rates
• Generous Paid Time Off: ample vacation days, excused absences, personal days, and holidays to recharge and spend quality time doing the things you enjoy
• Comprehensive Insurance: LCA provides company-paid life insurance, long-term disability, and short-term disability coverage to support you in unexpected situations
• Retirement Plans: eligibility for two retirement plans - the Pennsylvania Municipal Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and a 457 plan through Empower

I'm interested; how do I get started?