Groundwater & Water Resources Project Manager

Rincon Consultants, Inc • Sacramento, CA

8d • $100,000 - $125,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

Rincon is seeking an experienced Project Manager to help lead its growing groundwater and water resources practice across California. The role focuses primarily on Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) planning and implementation, watershed resilience, nature-based and groundwater recharge solutions, water resources planning, and grant funding strategies that help move water resource solutions from planning through implementation. The successful candidate will bring groundwater and water resources expertise alongside project management and client leadership skills, working with groundwater modelers, hydrologists, engineers, planners, environmental scientists, and other specialists. The position offers an opportunity to take greater ownership of projects and client relationships while deepening expertise in groundwater sustainability and integrated water resources management.

The role may offer a hybrid work setup, combining office and remote work as business needs evolve. Rincon values in-person collaboration with teammates and clients and may prioritize candidates within 50 miles of a Rincon office. Eligible offices are in Carlsbad, Fresno, Los Angeles, Monterey, Oakland, Palm Springs, Riverside, Sacramento, San Luis Obispo, San Diego, San Jose, Santa Barbara, and Ventura.

California Professional Geologist (PG), Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG), or Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG) licensure is preferred for candidates whose background is centered in geology or environmental engineering. The position is full-time, with a base salary range of $100,000–$125,000 plus a benefits program. Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening. Employees assigned to federal projects may be subject to additional drug testing.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geological Engineering, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, or a closely related technical field.
• Five or more years of relevant professional experience in groundwater, hydrogeology, hydrology, water resources, SGMA planning and implementation, watershed management, or related technical consulting.
• Demonstrated technical understanding of groundwater systems and hydrogeologic principles, with the ability to interpret and critically evaluate groundwater, hydrologic, water quality, and other water resource data.
• Experience with SGMA or technically comparable groundwater management work, including GSP implementation, groundwater assessments, monitoring, water budgets, sustainability evaluations, or projects and management actions.
• Experience managing projects, including scopes, schedules, budgets, technical teams, deliverables, and client communications.
• Ability to understand and work effectively with groundwater models, water budgets, and other technical analyses and modeling outputs, even if numerical modeling is not the candidate’s primary specialty.
• Strong technical writing, QA/QC, presentation, and communication skills.
• Experience working directly with public agencies, water agencies, or other water resource clients.
• Working knowledge of California groundwater and water resource regulations and programs.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and work effectively across technical disciplines.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and willingness to travel and participate in field activities as project needs require.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG) or Certified Engineering Geologist (CEG).
• Master’s degree in Geology, Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Geological Engineering, Water Resources, or a closely related technical discipline.
• Significant experience implementing SGMA, including GSPs or Alternatives, annual reports, periodic evaluations, sustainable management criteria, water budgets, monitoring networks, or projects and management actions.
• Experience interpreting groundwater model results and working directly with modelers on model development, calibration, scenarios, water budgets, or decision-support analyses.
• Experience evaluating groundwater-surface water interactions, managed aquifer recharge, subsidence, groundwater dependent ecosystems, water quality, or other SGMA sustainability issues.
• Experience developing and implementing monitoring programs, field investigations, or hydrogeologic studies.
• Experience with GIS, groundwater databases, hydrologic or groundwater modeling tools, or other technical analytical platforms.
• Experience developing successful grant applications or funding strategies for groundwater, watershed, climate resilience, or water infrastructure projects.
• Experience developing water supply and demand forecast models to support long-range water resources planning efforts.
• Demonstrated experience leading client meetings, workshops, technical discussions, and public or stakeholder presentations.
• Experience developing scopes and budgets, preparing proposals, supporting business development, and developing long-term client relationships.
• Experience mentoring geologists, hydrologists, scientists, engineers, or other technical professionals.
• California Professional Geologist (PG) licensure is preferred for candidates whose background is centered in geology or environmental engineering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage SGMA planning and implementation, including Groundwater Sustainability Plans and Alternatives, annual reports, periodic evaluations, monitoring programs, sustainable management criteria, groundwater projects and management actions, and adaptive management strategies.
• Evaluate complex groundwater and water resource conditions using hydrogeologic, hydrologic, water quality, land use, and climate information, including groundwater levels and storage, water budgets, groundwater-surface water interactions, groundwater dependent ecosystems, and basin sustainability issues.
• Lead or support watershed resilience and climate adaptation efforts by integrating groundwater, surface water, water supply, land use, climate vulnerability, and other technical information into practical long-term resilience strategies.
• Evaluate and advance nature-based and groundwater sustainability solutions, including managed aquifer recharge, groundwater recharge, stormwater capture, watershed restoration, green infrastructure, and related water infrastructure.
• Lead grant application development and funding strategies for groundwater sustainability, watershed resilience, recharge, water supply, and other water resource projects.
• Direct and integrate multidisciplinary technical work and review analyses and work products for quality, consistency, and defensibility.
• Lead development and QA/QC of multidisciplinary 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 funding applications.
• Lead development of water supply and demand forecasting models using Excel-based decision-support tools, considering demand factors, conservation savings, climate change impacts, wastewater and return flow generation, and recycled water or non-potable connections.
• Manage projects and client relationships, including scopes, budgets, schedules, contracts, subcontractors, deliverables, meetings, and multidisciplinary teams across concurrent assignments.
• Lead planning and facilitation of community and governing body engagement for water resources projects, including e-blasts, social media posts, presentations, resolutions and staff reports, posters, interview and input sessions, surveys, and engagement summaries.
• Communicate technical information through reports, memoranda, presentations, workshops, public meetings, and discussions with Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, water districts, municipalities, state agencies, stakeholders, and other clients.
• Support proposals, client development, and business development, and mentor and develop early- and mid-career water resources professionals.

Benefits

• Health coverage options.
• Employer-sponsored insurance.
• Retirement benefits.
• Generous time off.
• Programs supporting learning, growth, and community engagement.
• A comprehensive Total Rewards Package designed to support employee well-being, growth, and financial security.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level