Deputy Director

The City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Health insurance

Paid holidays & leave

Discretionary leave

Tuition reimbursement

Transit pass

Life insurance

Job summary

The City of San Diego is seeking a Deputy Director in the Environmental Services Department to lead the Clean SD Division and citywide waste and quality-of-life programs. You will oversee Field Operations, Code Enforcement, and a budget over $23 million, managing more than 90 positions and coordinating with City leadership, agencies, contractors, and community partners.

You will set priorities, ensure safe and responsive service delivery, and address homelessness-related sanitation and public

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in public administration, business administration, environmental studies, or related field.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal operations or related field, with at least three (3) years in management.
• Combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

Responsibilities

• Direct planning, administration, and evaluation of Division programs with goals, standards, staffing, and procedures.
• Oversee homeless encampment abatements and interagency coordination with policy and legal compliance.
• Supervise cleanup, sanitation, and waste services including right-of-way work and mattress recovery and roll-off services.
• Enforce solid waste code provisions and ensure consistent application of municipal code and enforcement procedures.
• Develop and administer the Division's operating budget and monitor expenditures and contracts.
• Negotiate interagency agreements, coordinate joint operations, and represent the Department publicly.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, environmental studies, or related field

Job description

Job Type: Unclassified

Please note that recruitment for this role is conducted on a rolling basis. The hiring committee reserves the right to close the application window and make an appointment before the listed deadline once a successful candidate is selected. Early applications are strongly encouraged.

Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of the Environmental Services Department, the Deputy Director is responsible for leading the Clean SD Division and overseeing citywide programs that address illegal dumping, homeless encampment abatements, solid waste code enforcement, and other waste-related and quality-of-life concerns throughout the City. The position directs the Division's Field Operations and Code Enforcement functions, with more than 90 full-time equivalent positions and an annual budget exceeding $23 million, including more than $7 million in contracted services.

The Deputy Director establishes operational priorities, manages resources, and ensures safe, consistent, and responsive service delivery. The position works closely with City leadership, other City departments, outside agencies, contractors, and community partners to address complex sanitation and public safety concerns. This role requires sound judgment in highly visible and sensitive situations, balancing community needs, the rights and dignity of individuals experiencing homelessness, legal requirements, and available resources.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Manage and oversee all facets of the Clean SD Division, including:

• Direct the planning, administration, and evaluation of Division programs; establish goals, service standards, staffing plans, and operating procedures consistent with departmental priorities and community needs.
• Direct homeless encampment abatements within the City's jurisdiction and authorized agreement areas, coordinating interagency support to implement related policies. Ensure notice, documentation, and personal property handling comply with legal requirements and City Attorney guidance.
• Oversee cleanup and sanitation services within the public right-of-way, including illegal dumping and abandoned waste removal, sidewalk sanitizing, street litter container servicing, and dead animal removal; also oversee the Mattress Recovery Center and roll-off container services for City facilities.
• Oversee solid waste code enforcement, including complaint investigations, inspections, notices of violation, administrative citations, and referrals; ensure consistent application of applicable Municipal Code provisions and enforcement procedures.
• Develop and administer the Division's operating budget; monitor expenditures, staffing costs, and contract commitments; evaluate service and fiscal impacts; and recommend resource allocations and service adjustments.
• Oversee procurement and contract administration for cleanup, hazardous and biohazardous waste removal, and related services, including scopes of work, solicitations, performance standards, invoice review, renewals, and contractor accountability.
• Provide strategic leadership for Division personnel and operations, ensuring effective workforce management, employee safety, resource planning, and consistent service delivery.
• Negotiate interagency agreements, coordinate joint operations and community cleanup initiatives, and represent the Department with elected officials, partner agencies, and the public.
• Establish operational priorities and performance standards, guide policy and service improvements, and resolve complex issues while ensuring regulatory compliance and public accountability.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, environmental studies, or a related field;
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in municipal operations, public works, environmental services, code enforcement, public administration, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of management experience; and
• Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates these qualifications may be qualifying.

Highly Desirable Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with City Council, the Mayor’s Office, other departments, partner agencies, and the community.
• Demonstrated success leading diverse teams, managing budgets and resources, and improving service delivery in complex municipal operations.
• Sound judgment in addressing sensitive, highly visible issues, balancing competing priorities, and making timely decisions while maintaining professionalism, accountability, and public trust.

The Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) ensures that City of San Diego residents have a clean and safe environment. The Department pursues waste management strategies that emphasize waste reduction, recycling, composting, and environmentally sound landfill management. A key part of this is the Department's responsibility for collecting and disposing of refuse, recyclables, household hazardous waste, and green waste, ensuring the City's cleanliness and safety. The Department comprises seven divisions: Clean SD, Collection Services, Integrated Customer Solutions, Disposal, Environmental Health and Safety, Waste Reduction, Business and Support Services. For more information, please visit this link.

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 [phone].