Managing Soil Scientist

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Visalia, CA

2d

About The Position

The Managing Scientist will provide project technical support and supervision in the field and the office as well as business development and project management responsibilities. This role drives division growth, leads client engagement across multiple sectors, and ensures the highest standards of soil science and agronomic expertise across all project work. Managing Scientist tasks will include preparing monitoring plans, conducting monitoring, analyzing data, and preparing technical reports for wastewater land application systems and other regulated sites. Monitoring media will include groundwater, surface water, process water, soils, climate, food processing and other by-products and crop tissue. This person will work with soil chemical reactions (fate and transformations); soil microbiology and soil fertility in nutrient cycling and cropping; and soil water infiltration and drainage. These skills will be used to develop practical, cost-effective wastewater land application systems and other systems that include a natural treatment component for meeting state and federal water quality protection requirements. Project management responsibilities will involve communicating with supervisors, clients/farmers and contractors to develop meaningful proposals (scoping, scheduling, budgeting) and managing internal and external resources to complete high quality project deliverables on time and on budget. This role requires strong customer service capabilities with a commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs. The candidate must also excel in team settings, working cooperatively to achieve shared goals. This position will report to the Senior Global Director – Water Solutions and could have direct supervision.

Requirements

• Preferred Bachelors Degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, or other agriculture/environmental related field with 5+ years experience or Associates Degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, or other agriculture/environmental related field with 7+ years of experience or 9+ years experience
• Business skills associated with cost estimation, winning proposal development, and project budget management
• Able to identify project leads and prepare successful proposals
• Client relationship management and ability to clearly understand their needs
• Organized and detail-oriented with proven track record of goal achievement
• Able to read, analyze, and interpret common financial reports and regulatory documents
• Effectively present information to management, public groups, clients, and other employees
• Passion and integrity with the drive to excel and deliver exceptional results
• Excellent problem-solving skills and problem identification, developing and testing hypotheses, making effective decisions, and summarizing and communicating results in a meaningful way, both orally and in written reports.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Highly organized and able to balance multiple, simultaneous priorities
• Ability to perform field activities (e.g., stoop, lift up to 40 pounds from floor to waist high, walk, etc.)
• Able to travel with reliable transportation for use in work-related activities
• Able to travel away from home for up to 5 continuous days
• A valid U.S. driver’s license

Nice To Haves

• A Master’s degree in Soil Science, Agronomy, or other agriculture/environmental-related discipline
• Certified Crop Advisor, Certified Professional Soil Scientist, and/or Certified Professional Agronomist
• The ability to read, write, speak and understand multiple languages
• Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
• The ability to support, guide and motivate staff as well as influence those that are not direct staff
• The ability to actively participate in the company’s business development
• Decision making skills that can effectively prioritize and complete multiple tasks
• Passion and integrity with the drive to excel and deliver exceptional results and customer service.

Responsibilities

• Scientific Leadership Serve as the lead scientist on multidisciplinary projects focused on natural treatment systems, wastewater recycling, and soil-based water management strategies. Guide project teams in designing, implementing, and optimizing land-applied wastewater systems, vadose zone analyses, and sustainable reuse solutions. Ensure scientific rigor, defensibility, and innovation across all technical deliverables, models, and field programs.
• Business Development Drive strategic expansion of the division’s market share in wastewater, water reuse, and sustainable water management technologies. Cultivate and strengthen relationships with municipal utilities, industrial clients, agricultural operations, and food sector partners. Collaborate closely with the Strategic Partner Group to support Valley’s strategic accounts, aligning customer objectives with Valley technologies and services. Partner with Valley Dealers to create project opportunities, enhance dealer capabilities, and support growth in land application and water reuse projects. Contribute to proposal development, scoping, pricing strategies, and long-term business planning.
• Technical Expertise Provide advanced soil science and agronomic expertise for a wide range of client needs, including: Regulatory Support: Permitting, compliance reporting, regulatory negotiations, and stakeholder engagement. Irrigation & Agronomy: Irrigation scheduling, crop selection, nutrient cycling, and soil–plant–water relationship optimization. Wastewater & Nutrient Management: Development of land application plans, nutrient management strategies, and long-term system performance assessments. Subsurface Analysis: Evaluation of rootzone dynamics, vadose zone transport, groundwater interaction, and site suitability for reuse systems. Surface Water/Groundwater Monitoring: Field sampling, monitoring plan design, and interpretation of hydrologic and water quality data. Byproduct Utilization: Assessment and beneficial reuse strategies for biosolids, organic residuals, and other land applied materials. Fate & Transport Modeling: Model water and nutrient movement in soils, evaluating system performance, risk, and environmental outcomes.

Benefits

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level