Assistant Director of Public Utilities (Water Division)

CITY OF FRESNO, CA

Fresno (CA)

On-site

USD 115,000 - 178,000

Full time

5 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan (Fresno Retirement)

Paid Time Off

Job summary

The City of Fresno invites applications for the role of Assistant Director of Public Utilities - Water. This senior leadership position oversees the Water Utility, guiding operations, planning, and staff of about 200 employees to deliver reliable drinking water to 144,000 customers.

Key responsibilities include developing the annual budget, supporting cost-of-service studies, coordinating with regulatory agencies, and leading emergency preparedness efforts.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, mechanical, or water resources engineering, public administration, sciences, or closely related field.
Minimum five years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in a large public or private utility.
Desirable: CA Drinking Water Treatment or Distribution Operator certification, Utility Management Certification (UMC), or professional engineer registration.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and management for City’s Water Utility and coordinate with the Director of Public Utilities, Water Managers, Utilities Planning and Engineering, and Utilities Billing and Collection.
Develop and oversee the Water Utility’s annual budget and routine financial reports; contribute to cost-of-service studies and rate setting to support rate report development and Prop 218 process.
Coordinate with regulatory agencies; lead Water Utility’s emergency preparedness activities and continuity of operations planning; manage labor relations and labor organizations.
Act as technical advisor to the Director of Public Utilities and City Manager; attend City Council, boards, commissions, and committees relevant to public utilities.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Civil/Environmental/Mechanical or Water Resources Engineering, Public Administration, Sciences, or related field

Job description

Job Description

Come join the City of Fresno in Building a Better Fresno!

Want to see what it’s like to work here? Explore our We Work For You video series to discover the real stories, passion, and purpose of the team behind Fresno’s success.

Position Description

The City of Fresno Department of Public Utilities is currently recruiting for an Assistant Director of Public Utilities - Water. This is an unclassified position in which the incumbent serves at the will of the Department Director.

This Assistant Director of Public Utilities - Water provides leadership and management for the City’s Water Utility. This position works closely with the Director of Public Utilities, Water Managers, Utilities Planning and Engineering, and Utilities Billing and Collection to advance the mission of delivering reliable drinking water to the City’s 144,000 water customers. The incumbent oversees approximately 200 full-time employees across a wide range of functions, including treatment plant operations, pipeline maintenance, mechanical and electrical services, water conservation programs, and field operations.

The role is responsible for developing the Water Utility’s annual budget and routine financial reports, as well as contributing to the cost-of-service studies, rate revenue requirements, c5 and rate setting analysis to support Water Utility’s rate report development and the Proposition 218 process. Additional responsibilities include review and development of new and updated department policies, coordination with regulatory agencies, and leading Water Utility’s emergency preparedness activities and continuity of operations planning.

The Department seeks an individual with exceptional managerial and leadership skills to serve as the Assistant Director of Public Utilities - Water. The ideal candidate should demonstrate strong communications skills with staff at all organizational levels, be customer service oriented, and be able to remain focused, proactive, and steady in a fast-paced, politically dynamic environment. A levelheaded individual with strong crisis management skills and a collaborative approach to management is desired. An appreciation of diversity and the strength that diversity brings to the workplace is essential. The selected Assistant Director should also be sensitive to labor-related matters and have demonstrated experience working effectively with labor organizations.

The Assistant Director exercises considerable judgment and discretion in directing and administering the Department and its operations. In addition, the Assistant Director acts as technical advisor to the Director of Public Utilities and City Manager, and attends meetings of the City Council, boards, commissions, and committees relevant to public utilities and related services. The Assistant Director participates in the preparation and administration of the Department’s annual operating and capital budgets and is expected to coordinate activities with other City of Fresno departments, the operating utilities, and outside agencies.

The Department of Public Utilities

City of Fresno Public Utilities provides reliable, efficient, low-cost water, wastewater, and solid waste services to City of Fresno Public Utilities customers. Public Utilities strives to provide the highest level of service through innovative technologies, extensive planning efforts, ongoing process improvement, employee development, and collaborative teamwork. To accomplish these goals, the Fiscal Year 2027 Proposed Budget includes funding for 633 full-time equivalent positions and appropriates $490 million for all department activities. The proposed Water Utility budget appropriates approximately $209 million for operating expenses, capital improvements, debt service, and development-related expenses.

Public Utilities is organized into four divisions:

Administration – Coordinates all Public Utilities’ services, providing oversight and support for each operating division. This includes Utilities Planning and Engineering which is responsible for master planning, capital program budget development and management, and development services support. It also includes the Water Resources Manager position, that oversees and manages the City of Fresno’s water rights and entitlements, water agency coordination, and preparation of water resource related reports and documents, under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Utilities.
Water – Manages and operates the City of Fresno’s water system, delivering drinking water to more than 144,000 customer accounts through a network of over 1,900 miles of water mains. Water production facilities include three surface water treatment facilities; over 260 municipal groundwater production wells, with wellhead treatment at 19 sites; three water storage tanks; and two groundwater recharge facilities.
Wastewater Management – Manages and operates the City of Fresno’s wastewater system, which serves the City of Fresno, certain Fresno County Islands, and a portion of the City of Clovis through a Joint Powers Authority agreement between the two cities. The collection system consists of approximately 1,600 miles of gravity sewer, 18 wastewater lift stations, the Fresno-Clovis Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility that includes 1,700 acres of percolation ponds, and the North Fresno Wastewater Reclamation Facility.
Solid Waste – Collects and manages organic waste, refuse, and recyclables for approximately 119,000 residential customer accounts. The Division also manages the commercial solid waste collection and disposal franchise accounts, the solid waste transfer and disposal contracts, conducts the annual Operation Cleanup large item disposal, cleans up illegal dumping, supports the City’s Homeless Assistance Response Team, and leads Beautify Fresno, one of the Mayor’s top priorities with a mission to clean our neighborhoods, streets, and highways by partnering with local organizations and individuals in the community.

Our Organization

The City of Fresno is the fifth-largest city in the state of California and is a full- service charter city that operates under a “strong mayor” form of government. The Mayor is elected at large but does not serve on the City Council. However, the Mayor does have veto power over specific actions taken by the seven councilmembers.

Councilmembers appoint a City Attorney and City Clerk. Meanwhile, the Mayor appoints a City Manager responsible for assigning all other department heads, including Public Utilities, among many others.

Overall, our mission is to deliver high-quality utility services in a professional, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner to ensure the health and safety of our community.

Our Community

As the only California city located near three National Parks, residents and visitors enjoy Fresno’s easy access to Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. With approximately 300 days of sunshine each year, the Mediterranean climate allows for year-round recreational activities, including sailing, snow and water skiing, fishing, backpacking, and golfing.

Living in Fresno has the benefit of urban amenities and the unique charm of a suburban atmosphere. Housing options are lower than California’s other major metropolitan areas. There are four large school districts in Fresno, including Fresno Unified, Central Unified, Sanger Unified, Clovis Unified, and a variety of private educational institutions.

The city is also home to several colleges and universities, most notably California State University, Fresno. Residents enjoy a wide range of social, cultural, and athletic activities, including a vibrant local sports scene, in an affordable and clean community environment.

The City of Fresno is a vibrant, diverse, and rapidly growing community. It is home to a rich blend of cultures, as one of the most diverse cities in California, with large Latino, Hmong, Laotian, African American, and Punjabi communities. City employees often work in multilingual, multicultural environments where cultural awareness is essential.

To Qualify

A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in civil, environmental, mechanical, or water resources engineering, public administration, sciences, or a closely related field.

AND five (5) years' experience of progressively responsible leadership and management experience in a large public or private utility providing water, sewer, solid waste, or utility management, planning, or engineering services, or related experience providing services or products to public or private utilities.

Desirable but not required is possession of a CA Drinking Water Treatment or Distribution Operator certification, Utility Management Certification (UMC), or registration in California as a Professional Engineer.

Possession, at time of appointment and continued maintenance, of a valid California Driver License is required.

The Ideal Candidate

Fresno is seeking experienced, engaged and strong leaders who will assist in the implementation of the long‑range vision for the Department of Public Utilities. Entrepreneurial‑ minded individuals with a capacity for independent, innovative solution‑oriented thinking would do well in this position, as would someone with demonstrated knowledge and experience in leading the day‑to‑day public utilities operations with a thorough understanding of compliance and legal mandates. The ideal candidate will have a record of straightforward and open communication and a willingness to make effective decisions within the parameters of the position, as well as the ability to act calmly and quickly in emergency situations or under adverse conditions.

Candidates for this position should have demonstrated in-depth knowledge of the day‑to‑day operations of public utility services; strong management and planning skills; the ability to communicate effectively with executive management, technical resources, and partner agency liaisons; a thorough understanding of compliance with legal mandates; possess the ability to implement and sustain a comprehensive information and technology environment by developing and implementing strategic plans for continuous expansion and improvement of utility services. An appreciation of diversity and the strength it brings to the workplace is essential.

Compensation and Benefits

The City of Fresno offers an attractive and competitive salary and benefits package. The salary for the Assistant Director is $115,056 up to $177,672. The employee benefits package, as noted below, is subject to change and includes:

Retirement: Fresno City Retirement System; reciprocity with other public California systems. The City’s pension funds are among the best‑ funded public systems in California and the nation. The City does not participate in Social Security.
Health Insurance: The City maintains a PPO plan through the City of Fresno Health and Welfare Trust. The City contributes toward the current monthly premium for medical, prescription, dental, and vision for employee and dependents.
Flexible Spending Account Program: The City maintains IRS Section 125 Plan that includes spending accounts for health care and dependent care.
Auto Allowance: Dependent upon provisions set forth in Administrative Order 2-2.
Deferred Compensation: 457 plan available which allows tax contribution up to IRS determined limits.
Deferred Compensation: Voluntary 457 plan with Fidelity Investments to increase your retirement savings. Employer contribution of $75 per month for E5-E22 Ranges, if enrolled in 457 plan.
Management Leave: 108 hours (pro-rated) per fiscal year with an annual cash out provision.
Management Leave: 60, 90 or 108 hours per fiscal year, dependent on Executive Range. For exempt employees only.
Supplemental Management Leave: Up to 32 hours at the discretion of the City Manager.
Supplemental Management Leave: E1‑E5 Ranges may be granted up to 32 hours per fiscal year.
Annual Leave: Accrue 15.50 hours per month, with cash out provisions.
Annual Leave: Accrue 15.50 - 20 hours per month based on years of service with maximum accrual limit dependent on Executive Range and cash out provisions.
Holidays: Ten (10) City‑observed holidays annually, plus birthday and two (2) personal days per year.
Holidays: 10 City‑observed annual holidays, plus birthday and 2 personal days.
Life Insurance: Equal to annual salary; premium paid by City.
Life Insurance: Benefit equal to annual salary, $150,000 max; premium paid by the City.
Long‑Term Disability: City pays premium for 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days.
Long‑Term Disability: Benefit equal to 66.66% of monthly salary up to $7,500 per month after 30 days; premium paid by the City.
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP): DROP is an optional, voluntary program that allows for retirement benefits deposited in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno. To participate, must be at least age 50 with 5 years of service. Benefits include: ownership of DROP account monies; compound interest earnings; and alternative distribution options.
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP): DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program): an optional, voluntary program that allows an employee to deposit retirement benefits in a special savings account within the Retirement System while continuing to work for the City of Fresno for up to 10 years. Participation minimum is age 50 and vested. Benefits include ownership of accumulated funds, compound interest earnings, and alternative distribution options.
Supplemental Sick: 40 hours per fiscal year.
Supplemental Sick: 80 hours lifetime maximum accrual.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA): Eligible retirees can use the remaining Sick Leave balance, in excess of 240 hours, at 80% of hourly rate and other qualified leave balances, tax free, to reimburse health insurance premiums and other qualified medical expenses.
Retirement: City of Fresno Retirement Systems, one of the best funded public systems in the state. Reciprocity with other public California systems. Vested in Retirement benefits after 5 years of service. City employees do not participate in Social Security.
Bilingual Premium: $100 per month upon approved certification.