Apply now »

Asst Department Director - Technical Support Branch

Job Req ID: 333

Department: Technical Support Branch

Salary Range: $262,600.00 to $262,600.00

Job Type: Unclassified

Business Area: Public Utilities

Personnel Area: PU Water Delivery Branch

Closing Date: 07/23/2025

The City of San Diego is seeking an experienced and dynamic Assistant Department Director to lead the Technical Support Branch within the Public Utilities Department. Reporting to the Executive Assistant Director, this role oversees the Environmental Monitoring & Technical Services and Engineering & Program Management Divisions.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key leadership role in ensuring water quality, regulatory compliance, and the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects related to the City’s water, wastewater, recycled and potable reuse water systems.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Technical Support Branch;
Lead efforts to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions for efficient utility operations;
Provide focused leadership for enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction;
Manage diversity in the workplace and encourage high performing teams;
Represent the Department before a variety of governing bodies within the City, including oversight committees, City Council, Civil Service Commission, etc.;
Participate in negotiations with a variety of agencies working closely with elected officials, community leaders and representatives from those agencies to achieve resolution or decisions;
Cultivate relationships with key regulatory agencies to ensure all regulatory requirements and milestones are met;
Lead the preparation of the Branch’s annual operating, capital outlay and personnel budget; including justifying budget requests and monitoring expenditures against goals and objectives;
Represent the Department at various industry and professional forums;
Establish and coordinate Department administrative polices within assigned area of responsibilities;
Work collaboratively with other department managers and their staff to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Department; and
Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, public administration, engineering or a related field, and

Five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience and experience managing large water or wastewater utilities would be a typical way to demonstrate these qualifications.
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

Desirable Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have progressive leadership experience in water or wastewater operations, with the ability to manage diverse teams across technical, field, and administrative functions. They will be ethical, politically astute yet non-political, and skilled at motivating teams, enhancing customer service, and communicating clearly with varied audiences.

Key strengths include strategic thinking, budget management, data analysis, problem-solving, and the ability to balance technical detail with big-picture vision. A strong commitment to public service, innovation, diversity, and labor relations is essential, along with the ability to lead in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

The Department:

The Public Utilities Department manages San Diego’s water and wastewater services through five branches: Water Recovery, Water Delivery, Pure Water, Business Support, and Technical Support. Funded primarily by Water and Sewer Enterprise Funds, the department prioritizes quality, value, reliability, and customer service.

Leadership includes the Public Utilities Director, who sets strategic direction, and an Executive Assistant Director overseeing daily operations through branch Assistant Directors and Deputy Directors. PUD employs approximately 2000 staff with a FY2026 budget over $1 billion.

The water system serves 1.3 million customers across 403 square miles and treats up to 378 million gallons per day. It includes 49 pump stations, 3 treatment plants, and over 3,300 miles of pipeline.

The wastewater system covers 450 square miles and serves over 2.2 million people, treating up to 255 million gallons per day through 79 pump stations, 3 treatment plants, a biosolids facility, 2 ocean outfalls, and 3,000+ miles of pipeline.

The Pure Water San Diego program will provide nearly half of the city’s drinking water by 2035 using advanced purification. A 30 MGD facility is set to open in 2026.

The City is also investing in dam safety improvements for its nine dams, ensuring ongoing performance and public safety compliance.

The City:

With over 1.4 million residents, it's the eighth-largest city in the U.S. and second-largest in California. San Diego boasts a thriving economy, a diverse community, top-notch educational institutions, and an unbeatable quality of life. Enjoy endless sunshine, sandy beaches, and world-famous attractions—there's something here for everyone.

The City's mission is to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great one. With a vision of "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan," we are dedicated to serving our community every day. As one of the region’s largest employers, the City of San Diego employs nearly 13,000 highly dedicated employees and has a combined Fiscal Year 2025 operating and capital budget of approximately $5.65 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website, along with our Strategic Plan reflecting our mission.

Benefits:

Join the City of San Diego and take advantage of a robust benefits package designed to support your well-being.

Defined retirement plan, including pension reciprocity, dependent on an employee’s eligibility status (new hire, rehire, etc.).
A wide variety of cafeteria-style health and wellness plans or in-lieu cash waiver.
11 paid City holidays per calendar year and 1 floating holiday per fiscal year.
Approximately 176 hours of paid annual leave for an employee’s first 15 years of service, and approximately 216 hours for 16+ years of service.
Up to 24 hours of paid discretionary leave per fiscal year.
Up to 320 hours of paid Parental Leave per childbirth or placement of a child.
Up to 40 hours of paid Bereavement Leave per fiscal year.
Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year, and complimentary LinkedIn Learning professional development opportunities.
Free transit pass (including MTS Trolley, MTS Bus, and all Rapid and Rapid Express bus services).
Access to premier City golf courses at a discounted rate.
Reduced-rate fitness center memberships.
City-paid life insurance.

For additional details, please review the Benefits Summary for Unclassified Employees (Download PDF reader) or contact the Benefits Division of the Risk Management Department at (619) 236-5924.

Pre-Employment Requirements and Screening Process:
Employment offers are conditional, pending the results of all screening processes applicable to the position. All the processes required by the City of San Diego must be successfully completed before employment begins. Please refer to the City’s pre-employment requirements and screening process webpage for additional information. Nothing in this job posting constitutes or should be construed as part of an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego.

Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. There is one current vacancy for this role, however this recruitment may be used to fill additional future positions within the Public Utilities Department.

The City of San Diego has an active Equal Opportunity/ADA Program for employment and vigorously supports diversity in the workplace.

Be part of shaping the future of San Diego’s water infrastructure. Apply today and make an impact.

Apply now »