Asst. Department Director-Water Delivery Branch

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Job Req ID: 991 

Division: System Management & Operations 

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

Job Type: Unclassified     

Business Area: Public Utilities 

Personnel Area: PU Administrative Services 

Closing Date: 10/01/2026 

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Under the leadership of the Public Utilities Director, the Assistant Director of the Water Delivery Branch will lead the Water Production, Water Distribution, and Water Meter Services Divisions. This position directs the operations of one of the state’s largest municipal water distribution, storage, and treatment facilities, which includes over 3,316 miles of pipeline; nine reservoirs with a total capacity of over 566,000 acre feet; three major treatment plants; 32 distribution reservoirs and standpipes; 49 pump stations; over 285,000 metered service connections; and over 25,000 fire hydrants delivering more than 150 million gallons of water per day to over 1.3 million customers in the cities of San Diego, Del Mar, Imperial Breach and Coronado. The Water Delivery Branch has approximately 700 full-time equivalent positions. 

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• Lead the Branch’s efforts to strengthen accountability, and proactive asset management.
• Lead efforts to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions for efficient water utility operations;
• Provide focused leadership for enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction;
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Water Delivery Branch;
• 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 water 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 industries and professional forums; 
• Establish and coordinate Department administrative polices within assigned area of responsibilities; 
• Work collaboratively with other department managers and their staffs to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Department; and 
• Perform related duties as assigned.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, engineering, planning, or a related field, and 
• A minimum of Five (5) years of progressively responsible managerial experience and experience managing large water or wastewater utilities.
• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

Desirable Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Progressively responsible management experience in water or wastewater operations; 
• Progressively responsible experience that demonstrates readiness to lead a department comprised of administrative, field operations, technical and engineering staff; 
• Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political; 
• Demonstrated exceptional ability to manage and motivate people and teams;
• Focus on enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction;
• Ability to communicate effectively with different audiences, including elected officials, various levels of City management and members of the public;
• The ability to balance competing interests in a regulatory and political environment;
• Ability to comprehend technical details and understand how they relate to and impact the “big picture;”
• Strong quantitative analytical abilities, including a thorough understanding of common data analysis tools and programs;
• Ability to communicate complex and technical information in a simple, clear and straightforward manner, including the use of graphs and tables as needed;
• A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility, and innovation in government;
• Experience in developing and managing a complex budget;
• Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and performance excellence; 
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• Energetic and motivated with the ability and desire to take initiative;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment with tight time constraints;
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions;
• Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high performing teams; and 
• An understanding of public entity personnel and labor relations principles, policies, and procedures.

The Department: 

The City of San Diego, through the Public Utilities Department, owns and operates the Water and Wastewater Systems.The Water System serves the City and certain surrounding areas, including retail, wholesale and reclaimed water customers. The Water System’s service area covers 403 square miles, including 342 square miles within the City, operates and maintains roughly 3,300 miles of drinking water pipelines, and has approximately 1.4 million retail customers. The Wastewater System consists of two sub-systems: the Municipal Sub-System and the Metropolitan Sub-System. The Municipal system is a sewage collection and conveyance system for the City’s residents, and the Metropolitan system treats and disposes of the wastewater generated by the City and 12 members of the Metro Joint Powers Authority who represent 15 other cities and districts surrounding the city. The wastewater system covers approximately 450 square miles, operates and maintains roughly 3,000 miles of wastewater pipelines, and serves a regional population of over 2.3 million customers. For more information, please visit the Department on the City's website.

The City:

With more than 1.4 million residents, the City of San Diego is the eighth largest city in the United States and the second largest in California. The City of San Diego’s strong economy, diverse population, great educational institutions, unsurpassed quality of life, and world-renowned location make it the ideal place to work, live, and play. With its great weather, miles of sandy beaches, and major attractions, San Diego has something to offer for everyone.

The City’s Mission, as stated in the Strategic Plan is “Every day we serve our communities to make San Diego not just a fine city, but a great City.” The City’s Vision is "Opportunity in every neighborhood, excellent service for every San Diegan". 

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 2027 operating and capital budget of approximately $6.42 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

Benefits:

The City offers a robust benefits package that includes:

• 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.   

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