Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Position title is Associate Analyst or Senior Associate

Why Consider HF&H Consultants?

HF&H Consultants is a mission-driven consulting firm that works exclusively with public agencies on complex, high-impact challenges in solid waste, recycling, organics, water, and wastewater services. Our work often involves high visibility, tight timelines, evolving conditions, and significant public accountability.

We are intentionally a small firm. Every team member is trusted with meaningful responsibility and is empowered to take ownership of their work, follow commitments through to completion, and continuously look for ways to improve outcomes for our clients and our team.

We value people who care deeply about the quality of their work, adapt quickly when conditions change, and stay focused when projects become demanding. In return, we offer meaningful work, strong mentorship, and opportunities for growth.

Please refer to our website for a further description of our firm.

About This Role

This role is designed for someone who wants more than clearly defined tasks and static responsibilities; it is ideal for someone who is comfortable managing complex deliverables, coordinating with clients and stakeholders, and progressively leading meetings, analyses, and policy development. This highly motivated professional supports and progressively leads contracting assistance, procurement support, and contract management services for public agency clients.

Our projects are dynamic and real-world. Priorities shift, challenges arise, and expectations are high. Successful team members take ownership without waiting to be asked, adapt quickly when plans change, and continue executing with discipline and professionalism.

This full-time position reports to our Walnut Creek office, with occasional evening meetings and overnight travel. The position may be hybrid (in-office Tu/Th/occasionally Friday), but requires periodic visits to client or third-party locations, as needed (typically five to seven days per month).

Depending on experience and qualifications, the successful candidate will join either as an Associate or Senior Associate . Responsibilities and level of independence will scale based on experience. We expect to make a significant investment in the successful candidate’s professional development and to provide rewarding career opportunities for management roles within the firm.

Who Thrives at HF&H

People who thrive at HF&H take initiative, care deeply about quality, remain engaged when work is demanding, and bring positive energy to their teams.

What You Will Do

Technical & Analytical Execution

• Performs advanced analysis related to:
  • Solid waste, recycling, and organics systems
  • Service levels, tonnage flows, and facility operations
  • Cost drivers, rate impacts, and financial tradeoffs
• Develops and maintains Excel‐based models, schedules, and tracking tools under Project Manager guidance
• Track negotiation changes, revisions, and client feedback
• Prepare evaluation matrices and clarification questions
• Support negotiations and council presentations, as experience allows
• Draft contract summaries, contract profiles, and staff reports
• Applies quantitative methods to clean, validate, and analyze large datasets (e.g., tonnage, rate, and service data), including trend analysis, scenario/sensitivity testing, and clear documentation of assumptions
• Applies working knowledge of California solid waste regulatory frameworks, including SB 1383 and franchise agreement provisions

Procurement & Contract Support

• Prepare meeting notes, follow-ups, and action item tracking
• Assist with state reporting and compliance tracking
• Support annual rate adjustments, including tic and tie
• Support municipal RFPs, including:
  • Drafting scopes of work and technical approach sections
  • Review solicitation requirements and proposer questions
• Draft presentations, ordinances, staff reports, and internal policies
• Provide client “soundboarding” and technical guidance on fees and policies

Client & Meeting Leadership

• Contract review and amendment support, including scope changes and required deliverables
• Coordinate, support, and progressively lead client meetings and working sessions
• Prepare and deliver council and stakeholder presentations
• Troubleshoot program or contract issues in coordination with clients
• Serve as a reliable technical and strategic resource to public agency staff

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver technically sound work products aligned with HF&H standards
• Produce high-quality technical work with limited rework required
• Anticipate information needs and flag issues early
• Demonstrate readiness to take on larger scopes and client-facing responsibilities over time
• Support procurement and advisory engagements for municipal clients
• Apply regulatory and system knowledge to practical consulting questions
• Manage assigned tasks efficiently while balancing multiple projects
• Contribute to proposal development and firm knowledge‐sharing efforts
• Participate in mentoring, training, and professional development activities

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / O365 (SharePoint, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) with superior skills in Excel.
• Demonstrated quantitative proficiency, including building and auditing calculation logic in Excel (e.g., PivotTables, XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS, nested formulas), performing basic statistical analysis, and translating results into clear tables and graphics
• Strong communication skills:
  • Written: ability to draft staff reports, summaries, and technical documents
  • Oral: ability to tailor your communication to the audience and hear their needs
  • Interpersonal: capable of maintaining positive relationships with clients and parties being audited
• Ability to manage multiple deliverables, deadlines, and stakeholders
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating with a team
• Any experience working with public agency contracts, procurement, or solid waste programs
• Ability to manage multiple document versions and collaborative review workflows
• At least two years of professional work experience or equivalent (e.g., internships)
• Ability to travel to client sites and meetings as needed. A valid driver’s license may be required
• Ability to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Analytical skills related to rates, cost proposals, and tonnage data
• Experience with solid waste, recycling, or organics programs
• Familiarity with SB 1383, CalRecycle reporting, or diversion compliance
• At least two to five years of related experience consulting to or working for public agencies (i.e., cities, counties, joint powers authorities, special districts, etc.).
• Experience supporting or leading negotiations and council presentations
• Prior consulting or local government experience
• Ability to mentor or support junior staff over time

What You Will Gain

• Exceptional training and frequent coaching through structured mentorship and coaching starting on your first day
• On-project training from HF&H’s partners and a deep pool of senior consultants
• Annual development of a “personal development plan” and formal continuing education and project assignments geared towards developing your depth and breadth of expertise
• Rewarding and challenging work assignments that improve the efficiency, affordability, and effectiveness of public services
• Work on meaningful projects that support California communities
• Exposure to a wide range of contracts, policies, and diversion programs
• Clear growth path from technical support to project leadership (if desired)
• Collaborative, mission-driven consulting environment

We Offer

This is a full-time, exempt position. Some highlights include:

• Associate Salary Range of $77,085 - $99,110, depending on qualifications of selected candidate
• Senior Associate Salary Range of $104,616 - $132,147, depending on qualifications of selected candidate
• Annual Bonus (discretionary): up to 20% of YTD Earned Wages, performance based
• Profit Sharing: 3% (min.) contribution to a 401(k) profit-sharing plan; 2025 contribution was 6% (eligible after one year)
• 15 Vacation days per year (increases with tenure, maximum of 25 days per year)
• 10 Holidays per year (including one “floating” holiday to be used at employee’s discretion)
• 5 Sick days per year
• At least two days of off-site staff retreats and social events each year
• Dental/Vision/Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Health Insurance:
  • HF&H contributes 95% of employee’s premium (and 67.5% of dependent premium) towards the premium of our Kaiser health insurance plan
  • HF&H contributes $2,500 per employee or $4,000 per family towards a Health Savings Account.

Are You Ready? Apply Today!

Submit your cover letter and resume to HF&H at recruiting@hfh-consultants.com today! Please provide a valid email address and telephone number on your resume and cover letter, as well as your salary expectation. Application materials will be screened on a continuous basis. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply early!

Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to the interview process with HF&H. Any resultant offer of employment may be conditioned on the results of professional and personal reference checks, which we will not conduct without prior approval of the candidate. Depending on the number and quality of applicants, HF&H reserves the right to modify this process in its sole discretion.

The Fine Print

This is an at-will position and, as such, can be released at any time without notice and for any reason. Prior to hire, candidates will be required to successfully complete performance assessments, reference checks, verification of academic performance, and any other due diligence HF&H deems appropriate prior to making an unconditional offer for employment. Candidates with a disability who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or assessment process should advise the hiring manager upon submittal of an application. Documentation of the need for accommodation must accompany the request. HF&H is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. HF&H encourages candidates of all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification.

Company Description

HF&H Consultants' mission is to assist our clients in achieving their vision of a sustainable future by providing high value consulting services to public agencies in a fiscally- and socially-responsible manner.

Company Description

HF&H Consultants' mission is to assist our clients in achieving their vision of a sustainable future by providing high value consulting services to public agencies in a fiscally- and socially-responsible manner.

Job Tags

Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, Internship, Work at office, Local area, Shift work, Night shift, Afternoon shift

Similar Jobs