ESA is looking for a Water Quality & NPDES Program Leader to join our team in our Southern CA. The ideal candidate is responsible for leading, growing, and delivering a portfolio of water quality compliance, permitting, and regulatory advisory services across California. This role combines deep technical expertise in NPDES permitting and stormwater/wastewater regulation with client development and team building.
The Program Leader serves as a technical authority and strategic advisor to public and private clients while driving market growth, operational excellence, and cross-disciplinary integration.
Core Responsibilities
- Program Leadership & Growth
- Build and lead a statewide water quality/NPDES program, including strategy, staffing
- Develop and execute growth plans across MS4, industrial, and construction stormwater markets
- Drive revenue growth, backlog, and profitability targets
- Identify and pursue key pursuits, IDIQ/MSA contracts, and long-term programmatic work
- Serve as Principal Scientist / Client Manager for key accounts
- Technical Leadership (NPDES & Water Quality)
- Serve as a subject matter expert in:
- Stormwater NPDES permitting (MS4, Industrial General Permit, Construction General Permit)
- Waste Discharge Requirements (WDRs)
- TMDLs and watershed-based compliance
- Stormwater Quality Management Plans
- Provide senior technical oversight on complex compliance and permitting programs
- Interpret and apply federal Clean Water Act and California regulations (e.g., Porter-Cologne)
- Guide regulatory strategy, permitting pathways, and compliance risk mitigation
- Client Advisory & Delivery
- Lead major programs such as:
- MS4 compliance programs
- Industrial facility compliance audits
- Watershed planning and TMDL implementation
- Stormwater capture, reuse, and green infrastructure programs
- Act as a trusted advisor to municipalities, utilities, and regulated industries
- Lead multi-disciplinary teams (engineering, environmental science, planning, data/tech)
- Oversee technical quality, risk management, and client satisfaction
Represent clients and/or firm in:
- Regulatory negotiations
- Public meetings and hearings
- Policy and rulemaking discussions
Team Mentorship & Development
- Build and mentor a team of engineers, scientists, and compliance specialists
- Recruit key talent to scale the practice
- Establish technical standards, tools, and best practices
- Foster a culture of collaboration and cross-selling across service lines
Business Development
- Lead proposal strategy, positioning, and capture for major pursuits
- Expand relationships across:
- Municipal clients (MS4 programs)
- Industrial clients (manufacturing, energy, data centers)
- Transportation and infrastructure agencies, including ports
- Identify emerging opportunities (e.g., water reuse, ESG compliance, climate resilience)
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s or Master’s in Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Environmental Science
- 20+ years of experience in water quality and NPDES permitting
- Deep knowledge of:
- Clean Water Act / NPDES framework
- California Porter-Cologne Act
- MS4 permits, TMDLs, and stormwater regulations
- Demonstrated experience leading large programs or practices
- Strong client relationships in California water/wastewater/stormwater market
Preferred
- Experience with NPDES Permits and Programs
- Track record of winning and delivering projects
- Familiarity with data systems, compliance tracking, or water tech solutions
Key Competencies
- Strategic leadership and market vision
- Regulatory expertise and credibility
- Client relationship development
- Business acumen (revenue, margin, backlog)
- Cross-disciplinary integration (engineering + science + tech)
Success Profile (What “Great” Looks Like)
- Builds a recognized water quality platform in California
- Positions the firm as a go-to advisor for complex Stormwater NPDES compliance
- Drives double-digit growth through MSA/IDIQ and programmatic work
- Integrates services across water, industrial, community development, and technology teams
- Develops next-generation leaders and technical experts
