Chief Operating Officer - Water Utility Enterprise

Santa Clara Valley Water District (CA); San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 339,000 - 430,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

Valley Water seeks a Chief Operating Officer for the Water Utility Enterprise (WUE). This executive role reports to the ACEO and oversees the organization’s largest department, including Water Utility Capital, Raw Water, Water Supply, and Treated Water divisions.

The COO will guide large-scale operations, foster collaboration with state and federal agencies, and ensure safe, reliable water delivery. Ideal candidates bring extensive leadership experience in water utilities, policy engagement, and

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in large-scale water utility operations.
• Experience with water supply and imported water challenges.
• Knowledge of statewide water policy and regulatory environments.
• Ability to collaborate with state/federal agencies, wholesalers, retailers and customers.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Water Utility Enterprise (WUE) divisions: Water Utility Capital, Raw Water, Water Supply, and Treated Water.
• Provide strategic leadership to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient water services for Valley Water’s service area.
• Liaise with elected officials and stakeholders to facilitate consensus and move initiatives forward.

Job description

Chief Operating Officer

Water Utility Enterprise

VALLEY WATER

Annual Salary: $339,019.20 – $430,456.00 DOE/DOQ

Valley Water, one of the largest water districts in the State of California, is looking for a Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Water Utility Enterprise (WUE). Reporting directly to the Assistant Chief Executive Officer (ACEO), the COO WUE has oversight of the Valley Water’s largest department, which includes the divisions of: Water Utility Capital, Raw Water, Water Supply, and Treated Water and encompasses the entirety of the water utility infrastructure for the organization from surface water reservoirs to pipeline delivery systems. The successful candidate will bring extensive experience in large-scale water utility operations, water supply and imported water challenges, statewide water policy, and collaboration with state and federal agencies, water wholesalers, water retailers, and customers. This leader will be a strategic thinker, an effective communicator with elected officials and stakeholders, and a visible, steady executive who builds relationships, facilitates consensus, and moves complex initiatives forward. Join Valley Water’s leadership team and help provide safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy!

PLUS an Excellent Benefits Package!

View the full recruitment brochure here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/8fda376b-032a-4644-bc02-8efaa2fa136a

Salary and Benefits: Annual Salary $339,019.20 – $430,456.00 DOE/DOQ, and an attractive benefits package.

SECURE THE DATES:

• Interviews will be held virtually on December 16th, 2026 and in-person on January 8th, 2027. Selected candidates must be available for both interview dates.

November 19th, 2026