Deputy Director, Operations & Maintenance - Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance

Job Summary

The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is seeking a Deputy Director of Operations & Maintenance (Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance) who will oversee multiple essential operational divisions, including wastewater treatment plants, collections, control, stormwater protection, canal maintenance and construction, and fleet management. Reporting directly to the Assistant General Manager, this position plays a pivotal role in ensuring the District’s critical infrastructure operates safely, efficiently, and sustainably in service to the community.

About the Role

This position is responsible for leading, planning, organizing, and managing all functions within the assigned branches, developing and executing both short- and long-term strategies aligned with CVWD’s mission and Strategic Plan. This includes overseeing capital improvement projects, managing complex budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving operational excellence across diverse technical disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, directs, manages, and evaluates the work of assigned branches which encompasses multiple divisions including maintenance, water and wastewater operations, interprets District policies, and applicable laws and regulations, and ensures services comply with the policies and strategic direction set by the Assistant General Manager, General Manager, Board of Directors, and mandated regulations.
• Advises and confers with the Assistant General Manager on division programs and internal and external matters.
• Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of short-term and long-term District-wide goals and objectives, plans, programs, projects, policies, and systems focused on achieving the District’s mission and Strategic Plan.
• Provides expert advice and informs the Assistant General Manager on matters related to assigned branches, including personnel, resources, and budget.
• Assists the Assistant General Manager in identifying, articulating, and implementing District policies, programs, and projects to meet community and customer needs.
• Participates as needed in closed sessions with the District’s Board of Directors.
• Selects, motivates, and directs department management staff; plans and evaluates performance of assigned managers and staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with branch standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; takes disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the District’s personnel rules, policies, and strategic initiatives.
• Provides strategic leadership and works with executive and management team members to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment, consistent with sound management principles and District mission and values.
• Analyzes proposed state and federal laws, regulations, and court decisions for their impact on District practices and operations within assigned areas of responsibility; recommends and implements policy and procedure changes consistent with requirements.
• Reviews, evaluates, and recommends approval and/or modification of plans for water and facility projects prepared by District staff and consulting engineers; recommends and coordinates design changes, where appropriate; participates in major negotiations with contractors, consultants, vendors, and other public agencies.
• Coordinates the preparation of analyses and recommendations regarding policy issues and long-range plans to address District service area needs.
• Administers the provision of resources for the effective and efficient operation and control of facilities, finances, personnel, and equipment.
• Represents the District as requested or assigned in dealings with partner agencies in the District’s service area, and with other industry and governmental agencies, and professional organizations.
• Participates in regional, state, and national water, water reclamation, and other professional meetings and conferences to stay abreast of trends and technology related to District operations in assigned areas of accountability.
• May act for the Assistant General Manager in their absence.
• Ensures staff observe and comply with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Affords assistance in negotiating agreements and contracts and acts as a Hearing Officer during confidential grievance employee hearings.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, water management, engineering, or a related field, along with ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of a water system facilities and appurtenances, with five (5) years at a senior/executive management capacity. A valid California Driver’s License is also required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business, water management, engineering, or a related field.
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of a water system facilities and appurtenances, with five (5) years at a senior/executive management capacity.

Skills

• Strategic planning and execution.
• Leadership and management skills.
• Expertise in water system operations and maintenance.
• Ability to interpret and enforce laws and regulations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaboration and partnership building.
• Technical and regulatory compliance oversight.
• Project management and budgeting.
• Industry and regulatory affairs.
• Customer service orientation.

Benefits

The Coachella Valley Water District provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package ensuring employees have many options to meet their healthcare, wellness and/or retirement savings goals. Employees may pay some portion of their benefit premium costs based on the provisions of their labor-negotiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's) and the level of coverage they select. For additional information regarding CVWD employee benefits, please visit this link.