Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the Southeastern United States.
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
ESA has established multiple pay ranges tailored to the economic factors in the geographies in which ESA staff reside. For this position, the range is approximately as listed based on our anticipated hiring locations as noted in the above job details. Actual compensation is determined by several factors including but not limited to an individual’s related experience, education, skills, and the city in which the applicant lives.
CA Pay Transparency Clause
$200,000—$220,000 USDWho We Are
We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients.
In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies.
If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: humanresources@esassoc.com for assistance.
Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:
- Full name
- The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)
- Title of Job Position Applied
- Description of your accommodation request
ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)
