Description

WHO WE ARE:

We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work® based on feedback from our community of over 230 team members. We ranked top three in the AEC Advisors 2021 and 2022 Diversity Index Top Firms and were recognized as one of Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services in 2023. Since 1990, our mission has been to be the water firm of choice for both our clients and our team. Over the years we have built upon that mission and now integrate a host of high-quality services in groundwater, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater, recycled water, construction management, and operations technology from our multiple locations in the west. As a team, we work with our clients to understand their true needs. Our long-term relationships are based on integrity, partnership, and high-value solutions. In 2024 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

PAY RANGE: $26.40hr to $40.70hr. Based on our Pleasanton, CA office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).

LOCATION: Preferred - Pleasanton, CA - This is a hybrid role with both field time and in-office time expectations. (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ )

STANDARD BENEFITS:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

STAFF SCIENTIST I

BASIC JOB FUNCTION

This is an entry level position, and training for all tasks will be provided.

Perform recycled water compliance inspections and tests throughout the Bay Area and support recycled water compliance manager with various technical plan reviews, cross-connection control program support, and report preparation.

Essential Duties and Accountabilities (in order of importance)

• Upon certification as a Cross-Connection Control Specialist (West Yost will sponsor this) lead recycled water on-site inspections and cross-connection shutdown test projects.

• Assist with on-site recycled water work including plan review, preparation of technical reports, retrofit plans, and site survey.

• As appropriate support agencies with their cross-connection control program, site hazard assessments, and water conversion efforts.

• Plan reviews.

• Cross Connection Control Program Support.

• Report Preparation.

• Perform feasibility studies.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project records.

• Perform other work as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without written notice.

QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or equivalent.

• 0 – 2 years of experience.

• Ability to obtain the Cross-Connection Control Specialist certification (American Water Works Association or American Backflow Prevention Association) within the first year of employment with West Yost.

• Excellent writing and communication skills are essential.

• Emphasis on environmental/water resources.

• Must effectively communicate with all project team members.

• Ability to write technical information using appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling for concise reader-friendliness and clarity.

• Maintaining professional competency may require attending education classes and seminars, reading professional publications, and attending professional society meetings.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Some lifting of materials (45 lbs. or less)

• Bending, stretching, reaching required

• Use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms.

• Sitting for long periods of time

• Standing for long periods of time

• Walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Indoor 20%, Outdoor 80% - work time not spent in the field, will have an in-office presence expectation of 3 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

WORK WEEK

The base work week and core hours are 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (or as approved).

TRAVEL

This position will include fieldwork that is primarily located in South Orange County (primarily in Irvine, CA) but may require travel to other offices (San Diego, CA), job sites, and/or client offices with occasional evening and overnight assignments. Applicant must carry a valid driver's license and have available transportation. West Yost pays for all work-related travel expenses. Applicant must also be able to meet West Yost’s rules and be eligible to drive for business. West Yost’s insurance carrier reserves the right to exclude applicants based on their driving record.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence. We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees. Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance. All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs. We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us. Our annual company-wide monthly staff meetings, annual in-person All Staff meeting, Duck Dinner, company camping events, company celebrations, and other company-sponsored events provide an important part of the West Yost culture, which is to have fun.

OTHER UNIQUE BENEFITS:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)