Deputy Director - Wastewater Collection Division - Public Utilities Department - 252 (Unclassified)

Under the general direction of the Public Utilities Department Director and Assistant Director for Water Recovery, the Wastewater Collection (WWC) Deputy Director is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the Municipal Wastewater Collection System. The system serves an area of over 450 square miles and includes 3,019 miles of sewer mains, 81 pump stations, 59,000 manholes, and 50 interceptor diversion structures. The Division has 298 full-time equivalent employees and an operating budget of over $94 million.

The WWC Deputy Director executes the Department’s mission by setting Division goals and planning, organizing, and managing the Division’s operations for the accomplishment of these goals; directs, guides, and provides leadership to Division personnel; sets Division policies; applies technical expertise in the planning, review, and guidance of division activities; and, as a member of the Department’s management team, actively participates in the development and implementation of the Department Strategic Plan. The Deputy Director is also responsible for personnel related matters such as: hiring, motivating, rewarding and recognizing employees; conducting grievance and appeal hearings; initiating fact-findings; reviewing disciplinary actions and preparing proper reports; meeting with unions; and, working closely with the Department’s Human Resources group on personnel related matters.

Key Areas of Responsibility:

• 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 external regulators and a variety of water and wastewater agencies working closely with elected officials, community leaders and representatives from those agencies to achieve resolution or decisions;

•  Prepare the Division annual operating, capital outlay and personnel budget, including justifying budget requests and monitoring expenditures against goals and objectives;

• Represent the Division and Department at various industry and professional forums;

• Establish and coordinate Department administrative policies within assigned area of responsibilities;

• Work collaboratively with other department and division managers and their staffs to accomplish mutual goals for the overall benefit of the City and ensure the efficient and effective operation of the Department; and,

• Perform related duties as assigned.

Bachelor's Degree from a four-year accredited college or university, five years of progressively responsible managerial experience and experience in water and/or wastewater operations, or a CWEA Grade 4 in collection system maintenance would be typical ways to demonstrate these qualifications. Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Substantial, progressively responsible management experience in wastewater or water operations;

• Demonstrated experience in the operation and maintenance of a municipal wastewater collection system;  Progressively responsible experience which demonstrates readiness to manage a large field division;

• Strong understanding of regulatory setting and compliance in wastewater collection activities, including response and reporting of sanitary sewer overflows;

• Highly ethical and objective, with the ability to navigate in a political environment without being political;

• Experience in developing and managing a complex budget;

• An understanding of public entity personnel and labor relations principles, policies, and procedures;  A commitment to public service, fiscal responsibility, and innovation in government;

• Excellent problem solving skills, with the ability to proactively identify and support creative and viable business solutions;

• Ability to communicate effectively to 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;  Focus on enhanced customer service and customer satisfaction;

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;

• Strong business and political acumen to work effectively with internal customers, regulating agencies and elected officials;

• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to successfully interact with a wide variety of stakeholders;  Demonstrated commitment to quality improvement and performance excellence; and,

• Active and genuine commitment to managing diversity in the workplace and encouraging high-performing teams.

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.

The Public Utilities Department provides reliable and sustainable water, wastewater, and stormwater services to San Diego. Focusing on efficiency, innovation, and environmental stewardship, the department ensures high- quality water delivery and effective wastewater and stormwater management. The department operates through the Water Utility Fund, Municipal Wastewater Fund, and Metropolitan Wastewater Fund, serving retail, wholesale, and reclaimed water customers. The department is implementing the Pure Water San Diego project, which uses advanced water purification technology to provide a safe, sustainable, and drought-proof drinking water supply for the City. 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 2025 operating and capital budget of approximately $5.65 billion. Additional information about the City of San Diego can be found on the City’s website.

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.

Click here to apply: https://jobs.sandiego.gov/job-invite/252/

Salary : $2,000 - $227,261