Operations Director Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range: $181,885 - $240,050.  Based on our office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location:  Preferably based in one of our California offices or Phoenix, AZ office.

(https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).

This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Position Description:

OTCR Business Sector Leader (Operations Technology, Cybersecurity, & Resilience) - Municipal Water

At West Yost, we are a water-focused company that is committed to significant growth over the coming years. We are looking for an experienced leader for our Operations Technology, Cybersecurity, and Resilience (OTCR) team with a proven ability to grow a practice and develop the careers of their team members.

The OTCR team is a recognized leader in adapting innovative technologies and resilience practices to help water and wastewater utilities meet evolving challenges. Our work includes national partnerships with organizations such as Idaho National Laboratory and the American Water Works Association, and we have led efforts to bring Cyber-informed Engineering (CIE) and Consequence-driven, Cyber-informed Engineering (CCE) methodologies to the water sector. OTCR delivers complete Operations Technology (OT) design and implementation, technical program management, and resilience planning across multiple practice areas, including Resilience, Innovation, Electrical/Instrumentation/Controls, and Process Controls & Optimization.

This role is aligned with West Yost’s Strategic Plan, which provides a roadmap to amplify our impact, support our teams, and deliver quality services within our industry. Our plan is to continue to focus on the water needs of public agencies and municipalities and expand our value-added services and strengthen our current presence in California, Oregon, Arizona, and Washington.

The OTCR Business Sector Leader we are seeking will have the desire and skills to guide the sector toward these goals by working directly with clients and team members to advance resilient and secure water infrastructure for our communities.

Key Relationships

Reports to: Operations Director, Design

Other key relationships: Coordinates and collaborates with the President/CEO, Business Development Director, Business Sector Leaders, Client Service Managers (CSM), and Senior Project Managers.  Supported by the Leadership Team, Marketing team, Finance and Accounting teams, and Business Services team.

Major Responsibilities and Decision-Making Authority:

The OTCR Business Sector Leader is responsible for all sector activities, including:

• Developing, leading, and executing a multi-year strategic plan for growth that aligns with West Yost’s values and strategic priorities.
• Promoting a healthy business through management and leadership of core business functions that include Business Development, PM-QA/QC, Technology/Innovation, People, and Operations/Financial.
• Providing technical leadership in OTCR’s practice areas: Resilience, Innovation, Electrical/Instrumentation/Controls (EI&C), and Process Controls & Optimization.
• Leading business development efforts and marketing strategy to expand OTCR services nationwide.
• Serving as a senior project manager or technical lead on strategic projects as needed.
• Attracting, retaining, mentoring, and motivating a high-performing team capable of delivering current commitments and expanding into new service areas.

Key Selection Criteria:

Here are some things to determine if this opportunity is a fit for your character and skills:

• You are a proven operations leader with a 10–15 year track record of success as a leader in providing consulting engineering services for water and wastewater clients. You have project experience or working knowledge in operations technology, industrial control systems, cybersecurity, and resilience planning as it pertains to public and private water infrastructure.
• You are motivated by results, setting challenging goals and working with and through others to achieve them.
• You pay attention to details and hold yourself and your team to high standards.
• You enjoy solving problems, taking on difficult challenges, and finding creative, practical solutions.
• You like helping people and see value in mentoring others to succeed.
• You communicate clearly and value the importance of regular, transparent communication.
• You adapt quickly when things change and use challenges as learning opportunities.
• You value relationships, both with clients and colleagues, and know how to build and sustain trust.
• You have emotional intelligence and self-awareness, enabling you to bring your best to any situation.

Technical skills are important, but in this role your ability to lead, manage, mentor, and build trust with both internal teams and external clients is paramount. At West Yost, we will provide the foundation and support to build and grow an outstanding OTCR practice, you just need to bring the motivation and drive to produce results.

If you are interested, we look forward to talking with you and hearing from your references.

Travel Requirements:

*This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost 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.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

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.

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.

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.