Assistant Deputy Director

Division: Dams and Safety. Job Type: Unclassified. Salary Range: $224,744.00 to $224,744.00.

About the role

Under the general direction of the Public Utilities Department (PUD) Director, Technical Support Assistant Director, and Engineering and Program Management Division Deputy Director, the Assistant Deputy Director will lead the Department’s Dam Safety team and oversee implementation of its Dam Safety Program. The City of San Diego currently owns and maintains 13 dams under the regulatory jurisdiction of the California Department of Water Resources (DWR), Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). The City’s portfolio includes some of the oldest dams in California, several of which are more than 100 years old and are approaching or have exceeded their useful service lives. Many of these facilities require significant repair, rehabilitation, or replacement to address deficiencies, maintain regulatory compliance, and ensure safe and reliable operation. Dam conditions can also affect the City’s ability to store water, with operational restrictions at certain facilities limiting reservoir capacity and potentially affecting regional water supplies. Continued investment in these critical assets is necessary to restore and maintain the functionality of the raw water system, protect public health and safety, and support a reliable local water supply. The Assistant Deputy Director will oversee a recently established, multi-billion-dollar water supply infrastructure program focused on the rehabilitation and capital replacement of the City’s dams. As a key member of the PUD management team, the position will direct short- and long-term program planning, technical studies, project design and delivery, large-scale and complex capital improvement projects, and regulatory compliance. The Assistant Deputy Director will also coordinate multidisciplinary teams across multiple divisions and departments to successfully implement critical dam safety initiatives and deliver major infrastructure projects. The Engineering and Program Management Division has 125 budgeted employees and a Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget of approximately $50 million. The Division provides planning and engineering services for the Department’s wastewater, recycled water, and water systems. Services include capital program management; wastewater and water planning; long-range water resource planning; GIS support; energy engineering; environmental compliance and permitting; and leadership of the Department’s Dam Safety Program. The Division currently offers a hybrid work option for employees following probation.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Dam Safety Program for the Department.
• Oversee the Dam Program team, including in-house staff and consultants.
• Ensure cohesiveness between multiple teams including engineering, planning, operations, and the capital delivery team.
• Represent the Program before a variety of governing bodies within the City, including oversight committees, City Council, etc.
• Meet with regulatory agencies and represent the Division on dam safety, water supply, raw water capital programming, and other regulatory issues.
• Prepare the Dam Program’s annual operating, capital outlay, and personnel budget, including justifying budget requests and monitoring expenditures against goals and objectives.
• Representing the Program and Department at various industry and professional forums.
• Establish and coordinate Department administrative policies within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Work collaboratively with other department management and their staff to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Department.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field and Seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience. Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates qualifications for the job may be qualifying.

Skills

• A valid registration as