Construction Services Manager

The District: 
Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
 
IRWD Corporate Values 
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
 

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
 
The Position:
Direct, manage, plan, and oversee activities involved in the construction, installation, maintenance, and repair of infrastructure within the IRWD water and sewer systems. The role is key in supporting IRWD’s effort to provide a high level of service to IRWD’s customers, ensure infrastructure reliability, maintain public safety, and meet all regulatory compliance obligations. This position coordinates with other departments, primarily the Operations groups, to support essential activities.  Duties include supervising and managing personnel, coordinating activities with vendors, contractors and outside agencies, supporting safety, optimizing costs by developing and managing department annual budgets, preparing various reports and memos and supporting public outreach.

For the full job description and responsibilities of the position, please click here.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.  The deadline for the first review of applications is 8:00 AM on November 7, 2024.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early.  Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment.  This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline. 

• Manage and coordinate safe and effective construction, maintenance and repair activities for linear assets and appurtenances to ensure that IRWD continues to provide a high level of service to its customers and remains in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and statutes.
• Direct scheduled work and division programs and functions such as leak detection, underground pipeline and appurtenance locating, primary response, valve maintenance, pipeline construction, installation and repair, and general support of IRWD operations; prioritize predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance needs. Modify maintenance plans as necessary to achieve optimum efficiency.
• Establish and maintain effective and continuous communication among staff as well as other departments and sections; participate in selection, counseling, and training of employees; determine appropriate productivity standards for assigned staff and measure their performance accordingly; review and evaluate performance of assigned personnel as required; recommend salary adjustments, promotions and disciplinary actions for assigned staff; ensure staff is trained in new and innovative methods and techniques. 
• Establish standards of efficiency and costs of maintenance. Monitor productivity through site inspections, personnel movement, budget expenditures, and other operational activities. Implement changes to improve maintenance and services; establish work standards to improve quality and quantity of work. Recommend policies and procedures as appropriate. Create and maintain a system to track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to achieve established goals and objectives. Develop strategies for effective data analysis and reporting, for use in discussions with direct supervisor, Senior Management, and others as needed. 
• Review pipeline repair histories and costs to determine replacement needs; recommend rehabilitation, design improvements and/or replacement of pipelines and appurtenances.
• Project future resource requirements; prepare the department's annual operations and maintenance and capital budgets; track actual to budget expenditures; review strategic and capital facilities planning, design and construction activities.   Participate in evaluations and analyses of linear assets, including consequence of failure and system criticality. Manage ongoing budget and implement cost control measures throughout the year.
• Coordinate maintenance and repair functions with operations staff, other departments, and outside agencies (e.g., City of Irvine, City of Newport, Orange County Health Dept., etc.).
• Lead emergency response efforts related to pipeline breaks and leaks including after-hours response when necessary. Coordinate with local emergency services, public safety agencies, and other relevant stakeholders. Ensure rapid deployment of resources and personnel to mitigate risks and minimize service disruptions. Make critical decisions under pressure to protect public health and safety. Conduct post-incident analyses and implement improvements to enhance future response capabilities.
• Stay current with industry trends, new technologies, and best practices in water and sewer infrastructure management through professional development activities.
• Provide mutual aid to other agencies, cities, and special districts when requested, and if practicable
• SAFETY: Responsible for training, implementing, and enforcing safe work procedures which include confined space regulations, the Injury and Illness Prevention Program, traffic control, etc. Foster a strong safety culture within the team and with contractors, emphasizing the importance of safe work practices in all aspects of construction and maintenance activities. Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

A combination of education and experience equivalent to:

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, or a related field. A degree in a relevant discipline is highly desirable. For degrees obtained outside the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in the water utility industry, with four (4) of those years in a supervisory capacity in construction, maintenance, or operation of water distribution pipelines and facilities, and management of underground pipeline systems or similar infrastructure.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Class C California driver's license. 
• State Water Resources Control Board Grade 3 Water Distribution Certification or ability to obtain within 24 months of assignment start.

Desirable:

• California Water Environment Association Collections Systems Maintenance Grade 4 Certification.

The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Knowledge of:
Thorough knowledge of relevant water and sewer regulations and standards

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in managing stakeholder relationships. Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with outside suppliers and customers. Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures, and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
 
Mathematical Ability
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages, fractions, and decimals.
 
Technology Ability
Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel) and familiarity with industry-specific software such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management Systems).

Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Must be self-motivated and have excellent oral/written communication skills. Must be organized with the ability to multi-task and make decisions independently.
 
Physical Requirements
Regularly required to sit, bend, stoop, and stand.  Occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs.
 
Environmental Adaptability
Noise level may be higher than the typical office environment. Ability to work in an environment which may expose employee to hazardous materials and environment.


All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.  Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application.  To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.
 
New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide
 
Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert.  Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:
 
Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for November 19, 2024): will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.
 
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application.  Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
   
Disaster Service Worker:  In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly. 
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.  
 

Salary : $125,827 - $177,672