Project Engineer – Recharge Master Plan & Basin Planning

Who We Are: West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities. Our team of more than 265 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities. We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality. Compensation Range: $85,525- $138,575.  Based on our Irvine, CA office location.   (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).  Status: Full-time, Exempt Location(s): Irvine, CA ( https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ). This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote. Project Engineer – Recharge Master Plan & Basin Planning (3–8 Years Experience) Position Summary We are seeking a motivated Water Resources Engineer with 3–8 years of experience to support the development and implementation of regional groundwater recharge planning efforts and related groundwater management initiatives. The engineer will work closely with senior technical staff to evaluate recharge opportunities, develop planning studies, develop conceptual engineering designs, coordinate with agencies, analyze hydrologic and hydraulic data, and prepare technical reports that support long-term groundwater sustainability, stormwater capture, and water supply reliability. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys combining technical analysis, planning, field investigations, and collaboration with public agencies. Essential Responsibilities Recharge Master Planning Support preparation of Recharge Master Plans and basin-wide planning studies. Evaluate existing recharge facilities and identify opportunities to increase stormwater, recycled water, and supplemental water recharge. Assist with development of conceptual designs for recharge projects, including spreading basins, conveyance improvements, recharge wells, and regional stormwater facilities. Develop planning-level cost estimates, implementation schedules, and project prioritization matrices. Assist with preparation of grant applications and supporting technical documentation. Hydrology & Hydraulic Analysis Analyze precipitation, runoff, groundwater recharge, and streamflow datasets. Estimate hydraulic capacity and design flows of stormwater control and conveyance infrastructure. Assist with watershed modeling using data processing and visualization tools, including scripting languages (e.g., Python). Evaluate stormwater capture potential under existing and future land use conditions. Groundwater & Basin Management Support groundwater basin evaluations, recharge accounting, and storage assessments. Assist with interpretation of groundwater level trends and monitoring data. Evaluate recharge impacts on groundwater sustainability, safe yield, hydraulic control, and basin management objectives. Support preparation of annual basin reports and recharge accounting documentation. Stormwater & MS4 Planning Evaluate municipal stormwater (MS4) projects for recharge benefits. Review Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs) and Low Impact Development (LID) strategies. Support development of regional stormwater recharge strategies and implementation plans. Technical Reporting Prepare technical memoranda, planning reports, figures, GIS maps, and presentation materials. Develop tables, charts, and graphics summarizing recharge capacity, project costs, water budgets, and implementation priorities. Assist with preparation of Board presentations and stakeholder workshops. Field Work Visit recharge facilities, spreading grounds, channels, and stormwater infrastructure. Observe infiltration testing, facility inspections, and construction activities. Coordinate with operations staff to understand facility performance and maintenance needs. Desired Technical Skills Engineering Hydrology and hydraulics Stormwater management Water resources planning Surface water modeling Conceptual engineering design Planning-level cost estimating Software ArcGIS Pro Microsoft Excel (advanced) Python (preferred) Data Analysis Statistical analysis Time-series evaluation Data visualization and communication GIS spatial analysis Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering 3-8 years of relevant engineering experience California Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain within 2 years Working knowledge of hydrology, hydraulics, and stormwater systems Strong technical writing and communication skills Ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously Preferred Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Water Resources Engineering Experience with groundwater management and planning Experience with MS4 permits and stormwater regulations Experience preparing planning reports, conceptual engineering design, and/or feasibility studie