Senior Economic and Financial Consultant, Water

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

About the role

In this role, you will support the efforts of our clients, including cities, counties, regional authorities, state departments of transportation, transit agencies, and water, wastewater and stormwater utilities to identify appropriate infrastructure investments, develop funding and rate plans to enable implementation of the recommended projects, and support clients in implementing the recommended financing plans for those projects. A key part of this work is anticipated to include leading projects that involve developing economic and financial models, such as benefit-cost studies and pro forma financial model projections, to support clients in developing competitive federal and state funding applications to secure grants and low-interest rate loans. You will collaborate with diverse teams at Jacobs such as our federal grant writing experts, government relations team, transportation and water planners and engineers, fellow economists, resiliency specialists, and many others to understand our clients’ infrastructure projects and funding needs, and ultimately to develop technical economic and financial analyses to support competitive federal and state grant applications. You will also support clients in securing funding from the municipal bond market and rate and fee increases.

Responsibilities

• Lead funding strategy and financial planning projects to help identify the appropriate mix of outside funding, debt, and equity funding sources to implement capital projects and pay for ongoing operation and maintenance expenditures.
• Lead Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) prioritization studies and other related studies to help identify the appropriate sequencing of capital projects and related operating initiatives for municipal, regional, and state clients.
• Lead business case analyses, financial pro forma projections, benefit-cost analyses, cost of service, rate and valuation models, and other related forms of economic and financial analysis with support from more junior members of the financial services team.
• Lead pursuits for economic and financial studies or financial tasks within larger multi-disciplinary pursuits, including developing appropriate scopes of work and fee estimates for economic and financial consulting tasks.
• Present findings of economic and financial studies to client staff and governing bodies.

Requirements

• Training and significant experience in principles of economics and finance, including business case analysis, benefit-cost analysis, cost of service and rate-making, and financial forecasting.
• Proven ability to successfully lead multi-disciplinary teams such as teams that include engineers, planners, economists, and scientists, all contributing to their respective elements of a project within required schedules and budgets.
• Strong writing skills, including the ability to develop and review write-ups of the findings of economic and financial analyses.
• Experience in developing and documenting economic and financial analyses to support successful grant applications to State and Federal agencies in the United States is preferred, but not required.
• Industry domain economic and financial expertise and leadership in at least one primary sector of infrastructure (water, wastewater, stormwater, transportation, or other) as demonstrated by:
  • Proactive involvement in recognized industry associations and committees related to economics and finance for the related sector of infrastructure.
  • Published articles in recognized industry publications and/or presentations at recognized conferences in the related sector.
  • Contributions to industry guidance documents or research studies in the related sector.
  • Notable project experience in leading financial and economic studies in the related sector, either as a consultant or a government agency lead.
• Ability to train and mentor more junior members of the consulting team.
• Master’s degree in economics, finance, or related field and a minimum of 5 years of professional experience required, with 5+ years preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company stock purchase options at a discount.
• Deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan (for eligible employees).
• Unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees.
• Seven paid holidays and caregiver leave.
• Additional rewards for certain roles, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

Pay

The base salary range for this position is $123,000.00 to $163,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

Schedule

We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations.

Job posted on January 07, 2026.