Applied AI Specialist I

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 270 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: $85,230 - $120,150. Based on our Davis, CA office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).
Status: Full-time, Exempt
Location: Preferred location is Davis, CA. Must sit in one of our office locations. Can not sit remotely and relocation assistance is not available for this role. (https://www.westyost.com/locations/ ).

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

Applied AI Specialist
West Yost is expanding the use of artificial intelligence to enhance the way we deliver engineering and scientific services across our organization. We are committed to helping our internal teams and our clients apply AI in ways that improve efficiency, elevate quality, support better decision making, and unlock new value.
As the Applied AI Specialist, you will help lead the practical application of AI throughout the firm. You will design and test prototypes, develop usable solutions, and collaborate with project teams and clients to ensure that AI innovations address real world needs. This role blends applied AI development, creativity, and strong technical fluency to turn ideas into practical solutions. It does not require prior experience in the AEC industry, but it does require someone who can learn quickly, think critically, and take initiative.
This is a highly collaborative and impactful role that supports internal operations and enhances how we deliver services for our clients across all sectors of the firm.

Key Responsibilities
Pilot Development and Proof of Concept Execution
Design and execute pilots and proofs of concept that demonstrate clear value.
Develop, test, and refine tools, models, and workflows using approved platforms and data sources.
Document results and provide recommendations for scaling or pivoting.
Solution Development and Deployment
Build, configure, and deploy AI powered solutions that improve workflow efficiency, information management, decision support, and communication.
Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure solutions align with real project needs.
Integrate responsible AI practices including accuracy, transparency, safety, and appropriate data governance.
Internal Enablement and Training
Develop and deliver training, guidance, and hands-on support for technical staff and project teams using AI enabled tools.
Support adoption by helping teams understand how and when to use solutions effectively.
Communicate AI concepts in clear and appropriate language for nontechnical users.
Client Facing Support and Technical Credibility
Support proposals and pursuits by explaining AI capabilities, feasibility, and best fit applications.
Participate in demonstrations related to AI-enabled services.
Train client staff when AI supported solutions are deployed externally.
Feasibility Assessment and Continuous Improvement
Provide honest and informed feedback on what is technically feasible and ready for deployment.
Monitor solution performance and identify opportunities for refinement or expansion.
Create reusable tools, templates, and best practices to support firmwide AI maturity.
Collaboration and Integration
Partner with project managers, engineers, scientists, and business sector leaders to ensure solutions are practical and scalable.
Work closely with IT, cybersecurity, and data governance leaders to support safe and compliant deployment.
Strengthen cross-sector awareness and recognize opportunities that benefit multiple parts of the business.
You will be supported by a collaborative network of functional, operational, and technical leaders across the company that share a common goal of team success.
Qualifications
Experience
One to three years of experience in applied AI development, data science, machine learning, software engineering, or a related discipline.
Experience building prototypes and production-ready AI solutions using modern LLMs, embeddings, retrieval augmented generation, or model fine tuning.
Familiarity with deploying and supporting shared AI tools in secure environments.
Experience in the water industry is not required but curiosity and willingness to learn our industry are essential.

Technical Expertise
Strong understanding of AI model behavior, prompt design, evaluation methods, and solution refinement.
Experience integrating AI tools into existing workflows, applications, or business processes.
Ability to communicate technical concepts in clear and appropriate language for nontechnical users.
Commitment to responsible AI practices, including accuracy, transparency, and appropriate data use.

Business Acumen and Leadership
Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset who proactively identifies opportunities, experiments thoughtfully, and moves ideas forward with limited direction.
Creative thinker who enjoys rapid learning, experimentation, and iteration.
Collaborative partner who builds trust across sectors and project teams.
Comfort working in a fast-changing field with evolving technologies and incomplete information.

Educational Background
Applicable education or training in computer science, data science, software development, AI, or a related technical field. This may include trade school, technical certification programs, bootcamps, or equivalent hands on experience.
Bachelor's degree or advanced degree is welcomed but not required.

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.