Associate Water Resources Engineer

RiseMe; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Provost & Pritchard seeks an Associate or Senior Water Resources Engineer to support irrigation districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and agricultural clients across California's Central Valley. You will lead or assist projects through concept to completion, collaborating with engineers, hydrogeologists, planners, and environmental professionals to deliver practical, fundable solutions.

You will build trusted client relationships, contribute to technical analyses and reports, and help

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Agricultural, or Water Resources Engineering.
• Active California PE license or ability to obtain within 18 months.
• Experience contributing to engineering studies, investigations, planning efforts, or design projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams while building client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support water resources planning, engineering, and implementation projects.
• Work with public agency and agricultural clients to understand needs and develop practical solutions.
• Prepare technical analyses, engineering reports, planning studies, grant applications, cost estimates, and design documents.
• Manage or support project scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Coordinate with engineers, hydrogeologists, planners, scientists, environmental professionals, surveyors, and construction managers.
• Participate in client meetings, field visits, and public meetings.
• Assist with client development activities.
• Mentor junior staff (senior-level candidates).

Skills

Project management

Client relations

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Agricultural/Water Resources Engineering

California PE license or ability to obtain in 18 months

Job description

Summary

Provost & Pritchard is seeking Water Resources/Agricultural Engineers to actively participate in projects with a team of dedicated engineering professionals that serve irrigation districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and agricultural entities throughout California's Central Valley. This position offers engineering professionals the opportunity to work

Help Shape the Future of Water in California

Looking for more ownership, stronger client relationships, and work that makes a visible difference?

Provost & Pritchard is seeking an Associate or Senior Water Resources Engineer to help irrigation districts, groundwater sustainability agencies, and agricultural clients address some of California's most complex water management challenges.

You will be part of a team with experienced professionals across many disciplines to develop innovative, practical solutions for water supply, long-term resource planning, groundwater sustainability, recharge projects, and infrastructure improvements. Depending on your experience, you will contribute to or lead projects from concept through completion while building meaningful relationships with clients throughout California's Central Valley and beyond.

What You'll Do

• Lead or support water resources planning, engineering, and implementation projects.
• Work directly with public agency and agricultural clients to understand needs and develop practical solutions.
• Prepare technical analyses, engineering reports, planning studies, grant applications, cost estimates, and design documents.
• Manage or support project scope, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Coordinate with engineers, hydrogeologists, planners, scientists, environmental professionals, surveyors, and construction managers.
• Participate in client meetings, field visits, and public meetings.
• Assist with client development activities.
• Mentor junior staff (senior-level candidates).

Areas of Practice

You may work on projects involving:

• Groundwater management and sustainability
• Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and Aquifer Storage & Recovery (ASR)
• Surface water conveyance and distribution systems
• Water conservation and sustainability planning
• Irrigation district operations and infrastructure
• Infrastructure repair, rehabilitation, and modernization
• Water rights, transfers, and exchanges
• Grant funding and project financing
• Environmental compliance
• Feasibility studies
• Public works infrastructure planning and design

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Active California Professional Engineer (PE) license, or PE licensure in another state with the ability to obtain California licensure within 18 months of hire.
• Experience contributing to engineering studies, investigations, planning efforts, or design projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams while building trusted client relationships.

Ideal Associate-Level Candidate

• Typically 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated technical capability and growing project responsibility.
• Interest in developing project management and client-facing skills.

Preferred Experience

• Irrigation districts and agricultural water systems.
• California water rights and water management programs.
• Groundwater sustainability and recharge projects.

Why Join Provost & Pritchard?

Employee Ownership: As an employee-owned company, you directly share in the success you help create.

Meaningful Work: Help clients solve some of California's most important water resource challenges, supporting agriculture, communities, and long-term sustainability.

Career Growth: Whether your interests are technical leadership, project management, business development, or client management, we support employees in pursuing their professional goals.

Direct Client Engagement: Build meaningful relationships and see projects progress from concept through construction and implementation.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Work alongside civil engineers, hydrogeologists, water resource professionals, environmental professionals, planners, surveyors, and construction management specialists.

Work-Life Balance: We believe people do their best work when they enjoy both their profession and their