Deputy Director - Employee Services and Quality Assurance

The City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A municipal government organization in San Diego seeks an ESQA Deputy Director to oversee critical functions related to water and sewer funds. The role requires management of budget development and monitoring, human resources initiatives, and strategic planning while supervising a team of approximately 125 employees. Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and extensive management experience, preferably within city operations.

Benefits

Defined retirement plan

Cafeteria-style health and wellness plans

Paid City holidays

Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000

Free transit pass

Qualifications

• Minimum of eight years of progressively responsible supervisory or professional management experience in finance or management.
• Experience with substantial City of San Diego operations is preferred.
• Strong business and political acumen to work effectively with various stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee budget development and monitoring for ESQA activities.
• Manage contracts and procurements within the department.
• Lead human resources initiatives and ensure occupational safety and employee training.

Skills

Leadership

Problem-Solving

Communication

Strategic Planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business administration or related field

Job description

Overview

Under the general direction of the Public Utilities Department Director and Business Support Branch Assistant Director, the ESQA Deputy Director oversees and manages critical functions associated with the water and sewer funds. The Division consists of approximately 125 full-time employees and operates with an approximate budget of $27.5 million. This role is responsible for leading human resources initiatives, ensuring occupational safety, facilitating employee training and development, and trench restoration. The Deputy Director also manages budget development and monitoring for ESQA activities and coordinates contracts and procurements. Additionally, the position drives quality assurance, strategic planning, and performance management programs to support the department’s mission and operational excellence.

Closing Date: 10/15/2025

Responsibilities

• 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 a variety of water and wastewater agencies and work closely with elected officials, community leaders and representatives from those agencies to achieve resolution or decisions.
• Representing the Division and Department at various industry and professional forums.
• Establish and coordinate Department administrative polices within assigned areas of responsibility.
• Provide leadership and direction to subordinate staff, including assigning work, setting priorities, monitoring performance, and ensuring timely and effective completion of responsibilities.
• Oversee staff development through coaching, training, and performance evaluations, while fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Business Management, Public Administration or a related field, AND
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible supervisory and(or) professional management experience in finance or management that demonstrates the ability to work in a dynamic environment with a large and diverse workforce. However, any combination of education, experience, and training may demonstrate these qualifications.

Desired Qualifications

• Substantial, progressively responsible management experience, preferably with substantial City of San Diego experience in internal support services, human resources, finance, quality assurance, development and monitoring.
• Experience in Safety, Training, managerial experience in strategic business planning, performance metrics and measures.
• 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.
• 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.

The Department

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\'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.

Benefits

• 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.

Pre-Employment Requirements And Screening Process

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.