Water Resources Planner / Scientist

Rincon Consultants, Inc; California; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Rincon Consultants, Inc is seeking a Water Resources Planner/Scientist to advance California SGMA planning and groundwater resilience. You will analyze groundwater data, contribute to watershed resilience efforts, and assist with grant funding strategies while collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams.

The role emphasizes technical reporting, client engagement, and delivering planning documents across California, with a hybrid work setup and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Strong data analysis and interpretation of groundwater, hydrologic data and water resources.
• Excellent technical writing and communication for planning documents and reports.
• Ability to collaborate across multiple technical disciplines and manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support SGMA planning and implementation including Groundwater Sustainability Plans and updates.
• Contribute to watershed resilience planning and climate adaptation through data evaluation.
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, and planning documents for public agencies.
• Work with hydrogeologists, geologists, engineers, and planners to deliver project outcomes.

Skills

Data analysis

Technical writing

Communication

Team collaboration

Fieldwork readiness

MS Word/Excel/PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geology/Hydrogeology/Hydrology/Water Resources/Environmental Engineering/Environmental Science

Tools

GIS

Job description

About Us

We are an award-winning California-based environmental consulting firm with 600+ professionals and more than 30 years of diverse experience serving clients in transportation, energy, water, infrastructure, private development, and government sectors. Our mission is to deliver practical, science-based environmental and planning solutions that support communities, infrastructure, and natural systems.

As a people-centric organization, we value collaboration, fairness, and transparency, and are committed to fostering a workplace that supports both personal and professional growth while offering robust career opportunities. We are especially proud of our recent Great Place To Work certification, which reflects an independent assessment of our culture and our team-member experiences.

About The Role

Rincon is seeking a Water Resources Planner/Scientist with a background in California water supply/reliability, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), geology, hydrology, or hydrogeology to support our growing groundwater and water resources practice across California. This role will focus primarily on SGMA planning and implementation, watershed resilience planning, nature-based and groundwater recharge solutions, water resources planning, and grant funding strategies that move water resource solutions from planning toward implementation. Working with Project Managers, Principals-in-Charge, and interdisciplinary technical teams, you will conduct technical research and analysis; analyze groundwater, hydrologic, water quality, and other water resource data; and contribute to technical reports, planning documents, and funding applications. You will also work with public agency clients and interested parties throughout the planning process, helping to gather and evaluate data, support technical analyses, and communicate findings and recommendations. You will have opportunities to build the technical experience needed for greater responsibility and professional growth.

You will interact with public agency clients, contribute to community outreach and engagement, and help strengthen client relationships through high-quality project delivery.

We are looking for a motivated, curious, and collaborative professional who is eager to learn and make a tangible impact. This is an opportunity to build technical expertise, work alongside experienced water resources professionals, and help shape the next generation of sustainable and resilient water management across California.

How We Collaborate

This role may offer a hybrid work setup, blending time in the office with remote work as business needs evolve. We enjoy coming together in person to collaborate, connect with teammates, and partner with clients, and may prioritize candidates who live within 50 miles of a Rincon office.

Eligible office locations for this role include

Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

What You’ll Do

• Support SGMA planning and implementation, including Groundwater Sustainability Plans and Alternatives, annual reports, periodic evaluations, plan updates, groundwater monitoring and data analysis, and evaluation of projects and management actions.
• Contribute to watershed resilience and climate adaptation planning by evaluating groundwater and surface water conditions, hydrology, water supply reliability, drought and climate impacts, and opportunities to improve long-term watershed resilience.
• Evaluate nature-based and groundwater sustainability solutions, including managed aquifer recharge, groundwater recharge, habitat and watershed restoration, stormwater capture, and green infrastructure, using geologic, hydrologic, hydrogeologic, and other technical information.
• Support grant applications and funding strategies for groundwater sustainability, recharge, watershed resilience, water supply, recycled water, wastewater, stormwater, and other water resource projects, including evaluating project benefits, readiness, and alignment with funding opportunities.
• Contribute to complex water resources planning documents, including Urban Water Management Plans, Water Shortage Contingency Plans, water supply and recycled water feasibility studies, watershed management plans, technical memoranda, and permitting and funding applications for water/wastewater facilities.
• Conduct technical research, field investigations, and analysis of groundwater, surface water, water supply, water quality, and related geologic and hydrologic conditions to support water resource planning, permitting, and project implementation.
• Prepare materials to support community and governing body engagement related to water resources projects, including drafting e-blasts, social media posts, presentations, resolutions and staff reports, posters, interview/input questions, surveys, and summaries of engagement efforts.
• Analyze and interpret technical data, including groundwater levels, water quality, water use, hydrologic conditions, and other datasets, and translate findings into clear, client-ready technical conclusions and recommendations.
• Prepare technical memoranda, reports, planning documents, presentations, and other materials for public agency clients and interested parties.
• Work collaboratively with hydrogeologists, geologists, engineers, planners, biologists, and other technical specialists and support client and stakeholder meetings, outreach, and project delivery.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Water Resources, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related technical field.
• Two or more years of relevant professional experience in groundwater, water resources, watershed management, hydrology, environmental planning, or a related field with an emphasis on SGMA and watershed resiliency.
• Foundational understanding of California water resources and interest in groundwater sustainability, water supply/reliability, watershed management, or climate resilience.
• Experience collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting technical or environmental data.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively across technical disciplines, stay organized, and manage multiple assignments and priorities.
• Willingness to learn new technical tools, methods, and regulatory frameworks.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and other Microsoft products.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and willingness to conduct fieldwork and travel as project needs require.

Nice to Have

• Masters degree, coursework, or professional experience in geology, hydrogeology, hydrology, groundwater science, or another water-focused technical discipline.
• Experience with or interest in SGMA implementation, including Groundwater Sustainability Plans, annual reports, periodic evaluations, groundwater monitoring, or implementation of groundwater projects and management actions.
• Experience with groundwater or surface water monitoring, inter-connected surface water studies, groundwater dependent ecosystems, hydrologic analysis, water quality, managed aquifer recharge, groundwater-surface water interactions, or watershed assessment.
• Familiarity with California water laws, regulations, and programs, particularly SGMA and water rights.
• Experience with GIS, groundwater or hydrologic datasets, databases, modeling tools, or other technical analytical applications.
• Experience supporting grant applications, funding strategies, or implementation of groundwater, watershed, climate resilience, or water infrastructure projects.
• Professional certification or licensure, such as Professional Geologist (PG) license, Geologist-in-Training (GIT), Professional Engineer (PE), Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, or other relevant professional credential, or interest in pursuing professional licensure.

Investing in You

The base salary range for this full-time position is $70,000-$95,000, plus a generous benefits program. Salary ranges are based on the market median of similar jobs, according to third-party salary benchmark surveys. Base pay is determined based on internal equity and a candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security. Our benefits are designed to offer flexibility and choice, including health coverage options, employer-sponsored insurance, retirement benefits, generous time off, and programs that support learning, growth, and community engagement.

Explore more about our culture, benefits, and life at Rincon on our Culture and Benefits page.

Additional Employment Information

Individuals offered employment must successfully complete a pre-employment drug screening as a condition of employment. Additionally, those hired who may be assigned to federal projects will be subject to further drug testing, including screening for cannabinoids (THC/marijuana), in compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 and other applicable federal regulations, which take precedence over California state and local laws.

Rincon Consultants does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.