Operations Technology, Cybersecurity, and Resilience Business Sector Leader

Title: OTCR BUSINESS SECTOR LEADER (Operations Technology, Cybersecurity, & Resilience)

Locations :

Irvine, CA 92618, USA

Phoenix, AZ 85048, USA

Sacramento, CA 95825, USA

Davis, CA 95618, USA

San Diego, CA 92127, USA

Concord, CA 94520, USA

Pleasanton, CA 94566, USA

Santa Rosa, CA 95407, USA

Job Category: Engineering

Requisition Number: BSLOT001484

Full-Time, Hybrid

Job Description: Description

We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work® based on feedback from our community of over 250 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 and 2024.  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 2025 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

Compensation range:  $181,885 - $240,050.  Preferably based in one of our California offices or Arizona.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

The Opportunity – OTCR Business Sector Leader

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 2025 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, and Arizona.

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 operations technology, industrial control systems, cybersecurity, resilience planning, or related water sector consulting services.
• 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.

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. 

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.