Water Resources Practice Area Lead

Water Resources Practice Area Lead

Compensation: $155,000 - $215,000 annually (negotiable based on experience)

Location: Flexible (Hybrid or fully remote)

About Spheros Environmental

Today’s world is changing rapidly. Environmental challenges continue to grow in scope, number, and complexity while environmental events increase in severity around the globe. To keep up with the ever-changing conditions, rules, and regulations in the environmental space, clients increasingly require scientific expertise to navigate the regulatory landscape and maintain their right to operate. Spheros aims to be a leader in comprehensive environmental consulting services, setting the standard for excellence, innovation and sustainability practices worldwide.

Position Summary

Spheros Environmental has an exciting opportunity for a Water Resources Practice Area Lead to join our team. Practice Areas (PAs) are the main technical services Spheros provides to clients. The primary focus of the Practice Area Program is to ensure Spheros maintains technical excellence in Water Resources across the entire organization. The secondary focus is to support business development within Divisions and Regions led by Seller/Doers. This leadership role will develop innovative solutions across the Water Resources PA, which encompasses four service lines: hydrogeology, surface water, watershed management, and compliance & permitting, and provide technical mentorship to a diverse team of subject matter experts. The successful candidate will bring an entrepreneurial attitude and enthusiasm for business development, as well as strong technical acumen to extend Spheros Environmental’s market share in the water resources sector. The PA Lead will initially retain a portion of their existing project responsibilities.

Essential Functions

Technical Excellence

• Maintains a thriving culture of technical excellence and quality across all of Spheros by working with Business Units, Divisional and Regional Leadership, and other technical leaders.
• Builds and maintains a community of practice by connecting water resources professionals of the same technical background across Spheros, spanning hydrogeology, surface water, watershed management, and compliance & permitting.
• Develops and maintains a database of subject matter experts (SMEs) and quality independent reviewers across the sub-areas of the Water Resources PA.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures (SOPs) for quality assurance and review processes, and for practice-specific risk management processes including health & safety protocols relevant to field investigations, aquifer testing, and water sampling.
• Maintains compliance with professional standards and SOPs.
• Keeps abreast of technical innovations, emerging methodologies, and evolving regulatory frameworks within the Water Resources PA.
• Establishes and oversees technical mentorship and training programs for the PA within established budgets.

Brand and Business Development

• Firmly establishes Spheros’ excellent external reputation and position within the Water Resources PA by providing recommendations for conferences, events (e.g., NGWA, AWRA, WEF, state water boards), and other activities that promote Spheros’ technical brand.
• Inspires innovation and drives thought leadership through publishing, presentations, webinars, and other activities that promote Spheros’ technical brand in water resources.
• Ensures high levels of client satisfaction across the Water Resources PA.
• Participates in and provides input into business planning from the Water Resources PA perspective.
• Identifies strategic opportunities for the Water Resources PA and coordinates with Business Units, Divisional and Regional Leadership, Market Sector Leads, and Key Client Leads to pursue those opportunities and to develop and execute a united front for clients.
• Participates in major pursuits and proposals for the Water Resources PA.
• Supports the Marketing Department in the production of materials and contributes to other marketing activities for the Water Resources PA.

Project Delivery and Resource Management

• Upholds technical excellence in project delivery across the water resources service lines, including hydrogeology (groundwater investigations, aquifer testing, modeling, wellhead protection); surface water (hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, water rights, floodplain analysis, stormwater management); watershed management (watershed planning, TMDLs, nonpoint source pollution, modeling, restoration planning); and compliance & permitting (NPDES, Section 404/401, water supply, recharge, stormwater pollution prevention plans).
• Supports Division Directors, Regional Directors, Business Unit Leaders, and Department Leads on the best assignment of staff for technical work and proposals.
• Works with Division Directors, Regional Directors, Business Unit Leaders, and Department Leads to ensure Spheros has the right technical staff to perform current and future Water Resources PA work.
• Makes recommendations to Operational Leaders on the technical tools and resources needed — including computing platforms, field instruments, and specialized software for groundwater and surface water modeling — so that PA staff can meet current and future project needs; supports recruitment of technical staff.
• Champions the company culture and values across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• A BA or BS degree in hydrology, hydrogeology, civil/environmental engineering, environmental science, geology, or a related field.
• 15 years of experience working in the Water Resources PA, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Broad and deep knowledge of the Water Resources Practice Area.
• Thorough understanding of client needs for Water Resources.
• Understanding of Spheros’ competitors who provide similar water resources environmental services.
• Extensive knowledge of Water Resources PA capabilities across Regional Offices and Business Units.
• Excellent mentoring skills with a demonstrated track record of developing technical staff.
• Knowledge of existing and upcoming water resources rules and regulations, litigation, and regulatory trends that may affect the PA.
• Strong existing client relationships throughout the Water Resources PA.
• Strong client and project management skills.
• General knowledge of business opportunities and trends for the Water Resources PA.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Extensive proposal writing experience.
• Externally recognized expert in water resources (e.g., committee appointments, board memberships, published author, frequent conference presenter).
• Willingness to travel in support of project and business development activities.
• Previous experience working in an environmental or engineering consulting firm (or similar).

Why Spheros Environmental?

• Competitive Compensation: Generous salary range with bonuses and 401(k) contributions.
• Professional Growth: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and advancement.
• Inclusive Culture: Join a company that values collaboration and client service.
• Opportunities to provide clients with services from all of Spheros Environmental practice areas.

Apply today! Spheros Environmental is an equal-opportunity employer.

Salary : $155,000 - $215,000