Climate Planner / Project Manager

Rincon Consultants, Inc. is seeking an experienced Climate Planner/Project Manager who will collaborate within Rincon’s Sustainability, Climate, and Innovation (SCI) in developing innovative climate action and resilience plans for water agencies. Rincon’s Climate Team works with cities, counties, special districts, and water agencies throughout California on the assessment, planning, and implementation of climate adaptation and mitigation programs. Specific areas of adaptation and resilience emphasis include developing strategies to address drought, groundwater and sea level rise, fluvial floods, wildfires, and urban heat.  We also support our water agency clients with climate mitigation with an emphasis on decarbonization, electrification, and renewable energy. This position will require an entrepreneurial spirit, strong technical analysis and data management skills, strong communication and writing skills, and a good working knowledge of how water agencies plan and manage their water supplies and infrastructure and operations. Rincon is seeking a qualified individual that has excellent analytical skills and is experienced with collecting, compiling, analyzing, and managing large, complex data sets to evaluate vulnerabilities and existing greenhouse gas emissions, develop innovative strategies, and track climate resilience and mitigation progress toward achieving established client goals. 

Rincon’s Sustainability, Climate, and Innovation Practice emphasizes team collaboration to assist our clients to develop and implement ambitious climate resilience strategies and programs. We operate with the simple idea that we want our work to result in tangible, positive change in the communities our clients serve. We operate in this capacity because we truly love what we do, and we know that there’s an opportunity to make positive change. We want to build a resilient and thriving future by regularly applying our knowledge and experiences in achieving the highest levels of sustainability in our business operations, as well as our daily lives in the most equitable way. This position allows you to work from any of our 13 office locations, with a preference for the following locations: Carlsbad, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Ventura, or Santa Barbara. Also, it provides the potential for a hybrid/remote work arrangement within California. 

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assist with the design and preparation of climate adaptation and resilience plans, climate action plans, adaptive management plans, sustainability plans, and other related initiatives for agencies that manage water, wastewater, stormwater management, and recycled wastewater systems. 
• Analyze water supply, climate change, energy, infrastructure, environmental, water demand, and other types of data to support the evaluation of climate risks, adaptation options, and adaptive management systems for water agencies. 
• Conduct research for complex projects including modeling short- and long-term implementation costs and benefits and evaluating the suitability of different mitigation and adaptation options. 
• Coordinate with various internal and external and external representatives on matters of sustainability and climate action, adaptation, and resilience. 
• Promote a culture of ownership, teamwork, engagement, quality service, and customer satisfaction to our public and private clients. 
• Enhance Rincon’s professional reputation and demonstrate the ability to be creative and innovative with these tasks while representing Rincon in a professional manner. 
• Work closely with Rincon leadership to promote our business interests in adherence with the company’s mission, vision, and values. 
• Engage with diverse communities and interested parties and communicate complicated scientific and climate-related topics. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor(s). 

This Job Might Be For You If You Have The Following: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Planning, Climate Change, Engineering or related discipline. 
• 3-5 years of related experience working with water agencies in the Western United States. 
• 2 years of related experience working on climate change related projects. 
• Familiarity and experience manipulating and applying climate change projections data and tools such as Cal-Adapt and World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) CMIP6 climate data and analytics for climate vulnerability assessments. 
• Familiarity and experience supporting the management of federal and state regulatory requirements for water agencies, such as the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), water use efficiency standards, and water quality standards. 
• Familiarity and experience applying One Water and Integrated Regional Water Management (IRWM) concepts. 
• Experience managing budgets for multifaceted work programs. 
• Experience with data analytics. 
• Experience translating complex science concepts to operational impacts and technological solutions. 
• Excellent writing, planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.  
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, and to manage multiple projects, deadlines, priorities, and teams.  
• 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.  
• Positive attitude and eager to streamline and improve process and workflows. 

Rincon is a science-based environmental and climate change consulting firm focused within the Western U.S. market. As a team of more than 400 purpose-driven professionals, we are large enough to provide the expertise needed to successfully support our clients in implementing meaningful, innovative, and complex projects, yet flexible enough to quickly respond to emerging challenges or changing priorities. Rincon’s Sustainability, Climate, and Innovation practice specializes in the analysis, planning and implementation of programs designed to avoid and/or mitigate potential risks associated with climate change. For Rincon, climate action and adaptation includes analyzing systems and potential risks, helping our clients formulate innovative and ambitious climate adaptation plans and decarbonization strategies, and working with those same clients to implement real change. We have operated our SCI practice with the simple idea that we want our work to result in tangible, positive change for our clients and the community.  

The base salary range for this full-time position is $80,000–$114,000, plus benefits and a generous bonus program. At Rincon, our salary ranges are based on market median of similar jobs, according to third party salary benchmark surveys. The base pay that is actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Beyond the essentials, Rincon recognizes the importance of personal and professional growth, that's why we provide opportunities for professional development and mentoring. Our commitment extends to the community through Volunteer Pay for a Day, reinforcing the values of social responsibility. Moreover, we go the extra mile with additional perks like Flexible Spending & Dependent Care, Supplemental life insurance, Legal Shield, Identity Protection, Pet Insurance, and much more. Check out more details on our Rincon Consultants webpage here!  

Rincon Consultants, Inc does not accept unsolicited applicant/candidate resumes from search firm recruiters and/or temporary agencies that do not have a signed contract and specified work order with Rincon Consultants. Further, such resumes received will be deemed the sole property of Rincon Consultants and no fees will be paid in the event Rincon Consultants subsequently hires such individual. Rincon Consultants is an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.