Senior Water Resources Engineer or Environmental Scientist 3

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Water Resources Engineer or Scientist who is a technical expert in Stormwater Compliance to work in a technical support role with highly skilled professionals on diverse project teams. This full-time position is located in our Oakland, CA or Walnut Creek, CA office, with the possibility of limited remote work for candidates assigned to either office.

In this senior technical leadership role, you will help municipal and utility clients navigate complex stormwater and related regulatory requirements throughout California and elsewhere. You will lead multidisciplinary compliance programs involving municipal stormwater/MS4 programs, utility-scale stormwater compliance, NPDES permits, and California Water Boards requirements. You will serve as a trusted technical representative for clients, develop regulatory strategies, advise during regulator interactions, and support project managers in delivering high-quality, practical solutions. This role also focuses on growing H&A’s municipal and utility client relationships and mentoring staff across project teams. Experience with construction and industrial stormwater programs is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Support the execution of project work and proposals on large and/or complex multidisciplinary projects to align with company-defined business objectives and client expectations.
• Demonstrate strong technical competence, knowledge of codes and regulations, and professional standards of practice in municipal, utility, construction, and/or industrial stormwater compliance.
• Coach, mentor, and direct staff in the quality execution of projects and preparation of analyses, technical reports, and other deliverables.
• Leverage understanding of codes, regulations, and professional standards to align project scopes with client objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and grow relationships with municipal and utility clients by understanding their operational and regulatory challenges.
• Serve as a trusted technical representative for clients, advising on stormwater compliance obligations, regulatory risks, and practical implementation strategies.
• Support project managers with technical strategy, scope development, quality review, client communications, and resolution of complex regulatory issues.
• Increase the technical capabilities of others and the overall technical performance of the company through knowledge sharing.
• Engage with external organizations, deliver presentations, and contribute to technical publications to excel in your field.
• Play a significant role in client and agency communications and negotiations.
• Lead all work in accordance with company and client health and safety protocols.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, or a related field.
• 15+ years of applicable experience in stormwater management, environmental regulatory compliance, or a related field.
• Demonstrated expertise with municipal stormwater/MS4 programs, utility-scale stormwater compliance, NPDES permits, and California Water Boards requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to develop regulatory strategies and lead audits, inspections, compliance evaluations, and regulatory reporting.
• Experience serving as a client-facing technical representative and advising clients on complex regulatory and compliance matters.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary technical assignments while effectively supporting project managers, client account leaders, and project teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical and regulatory information to clients, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to apply emotional intelligence to achieve greater impact in project team, client, and regulator communications.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff, transfer technical knowledge, and support the professional development of project team members.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain municipal and utility client relationships.
• Ability to work remotely or from the Oakland or Walnut Creek office while collaborating with clients and multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or other advanced degree in environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, or a related field.
• California Professional Engineer registration.
• Current CASQA Qualified SWPPP Practitioner (QSP) and/or Qualified SWPPP Developer (QSD) certification.
• Experience with construction stormwater permitting and compliance programs.
• Experience with industrial stormwater permitting and compliance programs.
• Experience developing and growing consulting relationships with municipal agencies and utility clients in California.

Pay

The salary range for this position in Walnut Creek, CA and Oakland, CA is $160,000 - $175,000 annually. Actual compensation will be based upon education, related work experience, certificates, skills, and current market conditions. Haley & Aldrich reviews salary ranges each quarter to assess competitiveness with the market.

About Haley & Aldrich

Haley & Aldrich is committed to solving our clients’ most meaningful challenges in the built and natural environments. Our team of 1,000+ engineers and scientists across the United States draws inspiration from one mission: to work closely with clients as they navigate change to create safer, more robust places to live and work. Since our founding in 1957, organizations across the public and private sectors have relied on us for technical excellence and empathetic leadership that achieve results and secure a thriving tomorrow.