Position title is ‘Associate Analyst’

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.

About This Role

The Associate Analyst is an early‑career consulting professional who performs analytical, modeling, and documentation work in support of HF&H client projects. The role requires growing technical proficiency, strong attention to detail, and the ability to execute defined tasks independently while working under the direction of Project Managers and Senior staff. Associate Analysts contribute directly to client deliverables.

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. This position is typically hybrid (in-office Tu/Th/occasionally Friday).

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

• Prepare and maintain Excel‑based analytical models for rate reviews, cost‑based analyses, audits, and related consulting assignments.
• Perform quantitative analyses using established HF&H methodologies, including index‑based adjustments, cost trend evaluations, and validation of supporting documentation.
• Draft Requests for Information (RFIs) and review submitted materials for completeness and consistency.
• Identify data gaps, inconsistencies, or calculation issues and escalate questions appropriately.
• Assist with data collection, organization, and validation for rate studies, cost‑based analyses, audits, and municipal service reviews.

Report & Document Preparation

• Draft and format substantive sections of technical reports, memoranda, and appendices under general supervision.
• Prepare tables, figures, and exhibits that clearly communicate analytical results.
• Incorporate review comments accurately and efficiently through multiple internal review cycles and multiple versions.
• Ensure deliverables conform to HF&H formatting, quality, and documentation standards.

Project Execution & Coordination

• Manage and track assigned tasks and deadlines for own workstreams.
• Maintain organized project files in SharePoint following firm standards.
• Coordinate with Project Administrators and team members regarding document routing, version control, and delivery schedules.
• Support preparation of client presentations and staff‑level materials.

Professional Development

• Build subject-matter familiarity across HF&H service areas.
• Participate in training sessions, team meetings, and mentoring activities.
• Seek feedback and apply revisions to improve accuracy and consistency.
• Demonstrate increasing independence, accuracy, and efficiency over time.

Key Responsibilities

• With moderate supervision, deliver technically sound work products aligned with HF&H standards
• Escalate technical or schedule risks to Project Managers.
• 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

What You Bring

Required Qualifications

• At least two years of relevant analytical, consulting, or professional experience. Directly relevant internships, volunteer experience, etc. may also be considered.
• Strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Proficient in Microsoft Office / O365 (SharePoint, Word, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint) with above-average skills in Excel.
• Strong communication skills:
  • Written: ability to contribute to and proofread 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 tasks and meet deadlines with guidance
• Comfortable working independently while collaborating with a team
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, economics, public policy, finance, mathematics, business, engineering, or a related field; or
• Equivalent combination of education and relevant internship or coursework.
• Availability for occasional overtime to support deadlines
• Ability to travel occasionally for training or team activities
• Ability to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

• Analytical skills related to (solid waste) rates, cost proposals, and tonnage data
• Analytical experience with municipal or commercial solid waste, recycling, or organics programs

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, non-exempt position. Some highlights include:

• Associate Analyst Salary Range of $77,085 – $99,110, 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.

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We are looking for a candidate with 5+ years of experience as a Division Controller (or Assistant Division Controller or comparable) in the recycling and/or solid waste disposal industry who is interested in moving to a Consultant position. The Consultant-equivalent title, ‘Senior Associate’, is used below.

Why Consider HF&H Consultants?

HF&H has a mission-driven, collaborative, small-company culture that values work-life balance. We provide recycling, organics, solid waste, water, and wastewater consulting services exclusively to public agencies. It is an exciting time to work in this industry. As California continues to lead the nation in environmental protection, it is our job to ensure local jurisdictions have the analytical and management support they need to fulfill their community’s vision of a sustainable future. We also strive to protect ratepayers (e.g., you and me) from unfounded increases in municipal utility rates.

Our services include jurisdictional action planning, performance reviews of municipal service providers (e.g., solid waste haulers), competitive solid waste service procurements (often the largest municipal contracts), negotiations, contract management, financial and compliance auditing, rate and fee studies, and litigation support. The success of our firm has been built on providing excellent client service and leadership to clients in particularly challenging situations.

About This Role

The successful candidate will work under the direction of partners, project managers and senior associates, in a team atmosphere, successfully completing engagements for our municipal clients related to their management of environmental programs.

The Senior Associate will support our recycling, organics, and solid waste practice from our Walnut Creek, California office (current in-office requirement: 2 days/Tu and Th). Some local travel may be required, with additional limited overnight travel (typically within California).

Specifically, this position will focus on our “rate setting” (e.g. analysis of 3rd party rate adjustment requests, developing sustainable rate structures, etc.), and “audit/review services” (e.g. franchise and other agency fee and tonnage audits, etc.) practice areas.  At any given time, this position will be involved with between one and five active projects, frequently reporting to multiple project managers.

Over time, this position offers significant advancement opportunity for a high-performing professional to grow into a Project Manager (senior consultant) with direct external client relationships and increasingly independent assignments and responsibilities.

What You Will Do:

The successful Senior Associate will perform tasks like:

• Work with client and 3^rd party personnel to obtain financial and operational data
• Review 3^rd party rate adjustment applications for mathematical accuracy and compliance with the compensation methodology prescribed in the franchise agreements, including the review of financial and operational records to support the application
• Review 3^rd party financial/operations records to support agency fee calculations
• Supervise and perform and analyses (candidate must possess strong analytical and Excel skills)
• Perform financial evaluation of proposals to local governments for solid waste – related  services
• Summarize the results of the tasks performed in a clear succinct manner (spreadsheets, tables, narrative, etc.)
• Research and develop emerging rate setting and/or rate structures
• Perform quality control reviews on reports and written work products
• Assist in the preparation of written reports, client presentations, and proposals
• Assist in planning and monitoring multiple concurrent engagements, to include staffing, performance, billing, and maintaining/developing client relationships
• Participate in and/or present at professional and industry events and seminars

What You Will Gain

HF&H places a high value on investing in our team. One of our core values is that “we relate to each other positively, supporting our professional development and providing opportunity for personal rewards.” This position will benefit from:

• Exceptional training and frequent coaching from a “mentor” assigned to you from 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
• Support and guidance for developing your career path within the firm (i.e., upward or lateral)
• Development of new technical skills for managing processes, projects, and resources
• Continue building best practice skills to thrive in their consulting career

What You Bring

• 5+ Years of prior experience in the recycling, organics, and solid waste industry (accounting or finance functions)
• Comparable experience as a Division Controller, Assistant Controller, or Finance Manager for a solid waste collection company
• Understanding of industry financial practices, to include municipal bids, pricing and profitability analysis, etc.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative analysis (e.g. accounting, statistics, finance, etc.)
• Undergraduate Degree in Business, Accounting, Environmental Economics, Economics, or Related Field is suggested; practical experience in controllership/accounting or financial analysis may be substituted for education, on a case-by case basis.
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to organize thoughts logically and communicate them concisely
• Strong logic skills, especially related to the development of spreadsheet models (e.g. rate models, report tables, etc.)
• Exceptional attention to detail, especially related to consistency
• Inquisitiveness balanced with a sense of significance
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing schedules
• Proficiency with the use of Microsoft Office Suite

Bonus Points (highly desirable)

• Prior experience in the California markets for recycling, organics, and the solid waste industry
• 5+ Years of prior experience in consulting or professional services
• Active California CPA license
• Valid California Driver’s License and access to personal transportation

We Offer

HF&H offers a competitive total compensation package while emphasizing work/life balance for our employees (in 2023, Associates averaged less than 43 hours per week). This is a full-time, exempt position. Some highlights include:

• Salary range for Senior Associate: $95,000 – $135,000
• Discretionary Annual Bonus: up to 20% of Annual Salary, performance based.
• Profit Sharing: Minimum 3% contribution to a 401(k) profit-sharing plan; 2023 contribution was 5%.
• Fifteen (15) Vacation days per year (increases with tenure, maximum of 25 days per year).
• Ten (10) Holidays per year (including one “floating” holiday to be used at employee’s discretion).
• Five (5) Sick days per year.
• At least two days of off-site staff retreats and social events each year.
• 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.
• Dental/Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance.

Are You Ready? Apply Today!

Submit your cover letter and resume to HF&H today! Please provide a valid email address and telephone number on your resume and/or cover letter, along with 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 into 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 at its sole discretion.

The Fine Print

This is an at-will position and, as such, can be terminated 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.

Apply Now