Geomorphologist

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 seeks a highly motivated Geomorphologist with 5+ years of experience in the assessment and design of river, estuary, and coastal restoration projects to join our Northwest Environmental Hydrology and Design (EHD) Team.

Who You Are 

• You are an experienced Geomorphologist with 5+ years of experience in the geomorphic assessment supporting watershed assessment and restoration design throughout the Pacific Northwest. You have an understanding of large and small river geomorphic processes and skills in current approaches to evaluating channel response to restoration actions, which could include sediment transport analysis, hydraulic modeling, and advanced GIS skills in geomorphic applications. 


• You are a licensed Geologist in Washington and/or Oregon, or can obtain your license within 12 months.


• As a key part of a skilled and experienced team of engineers, hydrologists, geomorphologists, ecologists, landscape architects, and GIS scientists, you are an effective team member and communicator who proactively identifies and contributes constructively to address broad project or team issues, providing mentoring and coaching to more junior staff where appropriate to foster teamwork.


• You have significant experience collaborating with internal team members and clients to deliver on a wide variety of projects, including restoration of natural processes and habitat conditions (Natural Channel Design) in riverine, estuary, and coastal settings, completion of geomorphic assessments, and assistance with project permitting and construction observation.


• You possess excellent oral and written skills and have led communications with internal team members, clients, and project stakeholders to present findings of your work. You may have directed marketing and business development pursuits, including developing capture strategies and leading proposals, interviews, and presentations.


• You hold a bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline (e.g., geomorphology, river engineering, earth science) or a related interdisciplinary field. A master's degree is a plus

What You Will Do for ESA

• In this role, as a mid-level Senior Fluvial Geomorphologist you will provide geologic and geomorphic expertise to inform or lead the development of multifaceted restoration design projects, while assisting teams to execute river- and stream-related tasks as a subject matter expert. You will work collaboratively with key team members, including senior staff, subconsultants, and clients on assessment and design projects.


• Using your education and experience, you will demonstrate a clear understanding of project management principles and practices and be responsible for the development of environmental compliance and design documents while delivering assignments within budget and on schedule.


• You will lead project teams consisting of stream design, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, geomorphology, and GIS staff to deliver state-of-the-art restoration and stream analysis projects.


• You may provide mentorship and support for more junior staff, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback and career development guidance while working on projects together.


• Business development activities could include assisting or leading the preparation of proposals, providing technical input, contributing to proposal writing, identifying opportunities, and engaging with proposal/interview teams. Clients often include tribes, non-profits, watershed councils, county and state agencies, and others throughout WA, OR and ID.

What’s Special About Our Team

Our EH&D team includes civil, river, and coastal engineers, hydrologists, geomorphologists, ecologists and landscape architects who provide expertise for a wide range of clients across the Pacific Northwest. We collaborate with our ESA colleagues in other discipline areas to provide full life-cycle services in design and permitting of projects for federal, state, municipal, tribal and non-profit clients throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Our work matters because it helps restore lost ecological processes to aid in species recovery and it helps communities shape a positive future for their citizens. We value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary engagement and integration. 

What’s Special About ESA

Joining ESA means becoming part of a close-knit team of environmental professionals who contribute to outstanding projects, improve environmental stewardship, and advance a more sustainable and resilient future for our communities and wild places.

At ESA, we provide benefits such as medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you AND your family), annual allocations of company share through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays, to name a few.

We also provide specific programs whether you want to further your technical expertise, sharpen your business acumen, or help lead the next generation of employee-owners. We want to support you in reaching your career goals through tuition reimbursement, professional development bonuses, and attendance at conferences.

Who We Are 

We are a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm who values diversity and inclusion and celebrate the differences that make each of us unique. Our culture is built on mutual respect, recognizing that our variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives leads to better solutions, which fosters our continued success for our employee-owners and clients. 

In accordance with ESA’s duty and responsibility to provide and maintain a safe workplace that is free of known hazards and to minimize the exposure to potential hazards, any employee who works from an ESA office or conducts any other in-person ESA work-related activity is required to submit their proof of vaccination status or have received an approved exemption and accommodation in states which this applies. 

If you are an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability—or unable to use—the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact our Human Resources Department via email: [email protected] for assistance.

 Please include the following in your message so we can promptly address your request:

• Full name


• The best method to contact you (phone number and/or email address)


• Title of Job Position Applied


• Description of your accommodation request

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOE M/V/F/D)