Water Resources Planner

Rincon Consultants, Inc • San Diego, CA

5d • $65,000 - $114,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Water Resources Planner who is excited about supporting and advancing our growing portfolio of watershed resilience planning, Groundwater Sustainability Plans and Alternatives, and other water resource planning efforts across California. In this role, you will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to conduct research and site investigations, perform technical and policy analysis, and prepare high-quality planning documents that guide long-term water sustainability. This work is in collaboration with the Project Manager and Principal-in-Charge. You will contribute to community outreach and engagement efforts and help build and support strong client relationships throughout project delivery.
We are looking for a motivated, curious, enthusiastic, and eager individual to make a tangible impact from day one! This is your chance to grow fast, learn from quality leaders in the field, and help shape the next generation of water resources planning across California.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Water Resources Management, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Geology, or another related field
• (2) Two years of relevant experience required
• Strong writing and communication skills, especially for summarizing technical information
• Strong understanding of California’s water resources, systems, and policies
• Basic experience working with organizing, analyzing, and interpreting data information
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft products (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Ability to work collaboratively, ask questions, stay organized, and manage several small tasks at one time
• Background in water resources, water policy, climate resilience, or environmental planning.
• Willingness to learn new tools, methods, and regulatory frameworks
• Ability to participate in office-based collaboration at one of the Rincon offices
• Has prior experience/research for water supply or watershed management
• Must possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and willingness to travel as projects require

Nice To Haves

• Coursework, internship experience, or project work related to watershed science, groundwater, climate adaptation, hydrology, hydrogeology, or water supply planning
• Familiarity with California water policies (i.e., water rights, Clean Water Act, SGMA) and exposure to water quality or environmental regulatory compliance topics
• Experience contributing or writing UWMPs and other regional water management planning documents
• Experience analyzing water demand, working with water-use datasets, or evaluating climate-influenced trends
• Excellent planning, budgeting, and organizational skills
• Eager to streamline and improve process and workflows
• Highly motivated with strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team
• Detail-oriented, resourceful, strong time management skills, and innovative
• Self-starter willing to tackle a variety of tasks simultaneously

Responsibilities

• Contribute to Urban and Agricultural Water Management Plans (UWMPs/AWMPs) that guide how California’s cities and farms use and manage water
• Support the implementation, periodic evaluations, annual reporting, Groundwater Sustainability Plan updates, and other Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) related activities by gathering data, analyzing trends, and helping evaluate long-term solutions
• Help create watershed resilience plans that protect communities and ecosystems from climate impacts
• Analyze water use patterns and help forecast future water demand using real-world data, land-use trends, and climate considerations
• Research and summarize information on local and regional water supplies, including groundwater, recycled water, stormwater, and imported sources
• Participate in research, compilation, and summary of regional water supply sources and infrastructure
• Assist with development of water supply projections based on historical and climate-influenced hydrology
• Evaluate drought and climate change impacts on water supply reliability and help identify strategies to make systems more resilient
• Explore and assess nature-based solutions like habitat restoration, recharge projects, and green infrastructure to support long-term sustainability
• Assist with development of grant applications that help fund imported water, groundwater, watershed projects, recycled water, stormwater, and other water resource projects across California
• Assist with analysis of surface, groundwater, and treated water quality improvements
• Interact with various members of public agency staff on matters related to water resources
• Review and analysis of data for compliance with state and federal clean water regulations, plans, and policies
• Support marketing efforts related to water, climate, and agriculture, as well as the importance of nature-based solutions to help drive Rincon’s reputation as a leader in this space

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees