Principal Scientist I

About the role

This position represents a critical technical leadership role where you will own the full lifecycle of complex water resources projects from initial scoping through final delivery. You will integrate scientific investigation with practical engineering solutions to address surface water and groundwater challenges for public agency clients. The role requires you to blend technical excellence with business development, ensuring project success while expanding our partnership with clients. You will serve as a scientific authority, guiding investigations that shape water management strategies and influence regional planning. In this capacity, you will translate complex hydrogeologic data into actionable recommendations that support resilient community infrastructure. Ultimately, you will drive innovation in our consulting approach while mentoring the next generation of water professionals within our collaborative environment.

Key facts

What you'll do

Orchestrate and supervise multiple intricate water resources projects that demand pioneering investigative methodologies and cross-disciplinary integration.

Compose sophisticated technical reports, scientific analyses, and strategic documents that communicate findings to diverse stakeholders and inform high-stakes decisions.

Implement rigorous quality assurance and quality control protocols to validate technical investigations and ensure data integrity across all project deliverables.

Cultivate and expand business opportunities with established clients through proactive relationship management and demonstration of technical value.

Direct and coordinate field data collection and sampling programs, ensuring that field methodologies align with project objectives and regulatory requirements.

Provide advanced technical leadership and targeted training to emerging professionals, elevating the overall capability of the project team.

Administer supervision over as many as eight direct reports, fostering professional growth, performance excellence, and adherence to project standards.

Exercise comprehensive project lifecycle management, guiding initiatives from initial client engagement and scoping through execution and completion.

Champion innovation in water resource solutions by evaluating emerging technologies and integrating them into practical project applications.

Serve as a primary technical resource for complex groundwater and surface water challenges, influencing strategic direction for client programs.

Collaborate with internal experts to develop holistic solutions that address interconnected water management issues within California regulatory frameworks.

Contribute to the growth of the firm through active participation in corporate initiatives, business development efforts, and knowledge-sharing practices.

Provide subject matter expertise during project review processes, ensuring alignment with best practices and client expectations.

Support the development and refinement of technical approaches that enhance service delivery and client satisfaction across diverse sectors.

Requirements

Possess a Bachelor degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or Environmental Science from an accredited institution.

Bring a minimum of 15 years professional experience working in a related technical field involving water resources or environmental consulting.

Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills necessary for presenting complex technical information to varied audiences.

Show proven experience as an experienced project manager capable of managing combined budgets of $1 million or higher.

Develop comprehensive understanding of California law and policy related to groundwater management and regulatory compliance.

Have prior experience managing at least 3 direct reports while fostering their professional development and project contributions.

Exhibit strong leadership capabilities in guiding technical investigations and interdisciplinary project teams.

Maintain ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment balancing office collaboration and remote productivity.

Nice to have

Earn a Master's degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, or Environmental Science, deepening expertise in water resources science.

Accumulate 10+ years of engineering consulting experience, with a focus on complex water resources projects.

Possess expertise in California law and policy related to groundwater management at an advanced level.

Complete leadership training that enhances ability to guide teams and drive organizational development.

Practical notes

This position operates under full-time exempt status with a hybrid schedule requiring 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

The compensation range for this position in Davis, CA is $131,397 - $205,210, reflecting West Yost's commitment to competitive regional compensation practices.

Travel requirements include potential visits to other offices and client locations as project needs dictate.

This role reports to senior leadership within the Water Resources practice and participates in broader firm governance initiatives.