Director / Program Leader – Water Quality & NPDES Permitting (California)

Environmental Science Associates is seeking a Director/Program Leader for Water Quality & NPDES Permitting in Los Angeles, CA. The role involves leading and growing water quality compliance and permitting services across California, providing technical expertise, client advisory, and business development. Responsibilities include program leadership, technical oversight, team mentorship, and representing clients in regulatory negotiations. A background in Environmental or Civil Engineering is required.
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)