Director of Operations
About the role
Located in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, the Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD) is seeking a seasoned and dynamic Director of Operations to step into a highly visible executive role as the District builds on strong momentum, significant investment, and organizational growth. This is not a steady-state utility role—SMWD runs a complex and forward-looking water system in Southern California, with two advanced wastewater treatment plants, an award-winning advanced recycled water purification plant, 37 pressure zones threaded through canyon terrain, 1,700 miles of pipeline, and billions of gallons of storage. Behind this system sits a $700 million, five-year Capital Improvement Program and an organization deliberately reshaping itself around innovation and collaborative leadership. The new Director will have the opportunity to build the Operations leadership team, bring an operational voice to major infrastructure planning and investment, and influence decisions that reach across the District. For a leader who is energized by building strong teams, improving how work gets done, and collaborating at the executive level, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of water and wastewater in South Orange County.
Responsibilities
- Build the Operations leadership team.
- Bring an operational voice to major infrastructure planning and investment.
- Influence decisions that reach across the District.
- Energize building strong teams.
- Improve how work gets done.
- Collaborate at the executive level.
Pay
Annual Salary: $218,781 – $299,730 DOE/DOQ