Water Resources Principal Hydrogeologist

EKI Environment & Water, Inc.; Arvada (CO); On-site; USD 170,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. is seeking a Water Resources Principal Hydrogeologist to lead hydrogeologic consulting in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region. The role requires managing technical projects, growing a team, and strengthening client relationships.

Responsibilities include developing groundwater models, water rights engineering, and strategic initiatives while supporting EKI’s growth across multiple geographies. Travel to project sites and client offices is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Earth Sciences, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise and oversight on water resources projects including hydrogeologic models, water balances, and groundwater sustainability plans.
• Lead and mentor a team of hydrogeologists and groundwater modelers.
• Support business development and client relationships; participate in strategy and hiring.

Skills

Hydrogeology expertise

Project leadership

Client relationship management

Contract management

Colorado water rights knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Company Overview

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI) is an employee-owned engineering, environmental, and water resources consulting firm serving private- and public-sector clients throughout the United States. The Water Resources Principal Hydrogeologist reports to the Regional Director (RD) and is responsible for leading and executing hydrogeologic consulting services in the Colorado and Rocky Mountain growth areas while supporting EKI’s business in other geographies such as California, Washington, Texas, and New England. The Principal Hydrogeologist will manage technical projects, grow and lead a team of hydrogeologist and groundwater modelers, provide technical leadership within the Colorado water resource professional community, grow technical capabilities across the organization, lead strategic initiatives, encourage risk stewardship, and develop business and client relationships. Projects may include groundwater management assistance, water rights engineering, groundwater basin characterization, groundwater modeling, water supply planning and development, reuse planning, litigation support, managed aquifer recharge, and more.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Provide expertise, technical guidance, and oversight on water resources projects such as:
• Hydrogeologic conceptual models, water balances, numerical model development, and groundwater sustainability plans
• Colorado water rights engineering
• Expert testimony and litigation support
• Water supply assessments and water management plans
• Water supply strategies and integrated plans; and/or
• Groundwater well design, construction, and testing
• Maintain awareness of technical innovations, new industry developments and standards, and identify opportunities to pursue, with a focus on Colorado
• Design, develop, and implement quality assurance/quality control protocols for projects and proposals
• Provide external leadership and support regional presence in professional groups and forums, including leading and participating in client meetings, conferences, industry associations, and/or technical committees
• Provide internal leadership strengthening EKI’s technical capabilities across the organization and mentoring early to mid-career professionals
• Participate in strategic plan development and implementation
• Identify hiring and training needs and support the hiring processes
• Support professional development of team members to provide growth opportunities and expand technical capabilities, innovation, and expertise
• Other duties as required

Qualifications & Requirements

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Hydrogeology, Geology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrology, Earth Sciences, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Fifteen or more (15+) years of experience as a hydrogeologist working on water resources projects, experience in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain West preferred
• Registration or licensure as a professional engineer or geoscientist preferred
• Excellent client management skills with a proven ability to maintain long‑term client relationships
• Proven track record of executing contracts and developing ongoing and/or expanded services for clients
• Knowledge of and experience with Colorado water rights, planning, management, and development

Competencies

• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with clients, subconsultants, regulatory agencies, and members of the public
• Must have ability to conduct work in a manner consistent with EKI’s values – Integrated Solutions, Responsiveness, Ingenuity, Quality, Results
• Must have a current valid driver’s license

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Must be able to work in a fast paced environment with high volume workload and frequent short deadlines
• Must be able to lift up to 25 lbs
• Must be able to work remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
• Must be able to assess the accuracy, quality and thoroughness of the work assigned

Travel Requirements

• Must be able to travel within Colorado and occasionally to other sites such as EKI offices, client offices, and project locations
• Travel 25 to 40 percent of the time, occasionally overnight

SALARY RANGE

• The expected base salary range for this position is $170,000 - $190,000 per year. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including the candidate's skills, experience, qualifications, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, this position is eligible for an annual performance bonus based on individual and company performance.

As an employee-owned firm, EKI offers a unique company culture with a corporate commitment to maintaining a positive work/life experience. EKI provides excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits packages, including career advancement opportunities, outstanding training opportunities, incentive compensation including bonuses, retirement benefits and 401(k) profit sharing contributions, and group medical, vision, and dental benefits.

EKI Environment & Water, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Notice To Third Party Agencies

EKI Environment & Water, Inc does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and approved engagement request with EKI Environment & Water, Inc. reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.