Deputy Director - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 127,000 - 191,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department seeks a Deputy Director to join its executive leadership team. This role oversees a 400-person organization, with an annual operations and maintenance budget exceeding $100 million and a capital budget above $50 million.

The Deputy Director collaborates across divisions, ensures safety, regulatory compliance, and exceptional service delivery. The position is unclassified and reports to the Director, with responsibilities spanning policy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of technical and managerial experience in sanitary engineering or the operation of a water sector utility.
• Two years in an administrative or managerial capacity are required.
• Education and experience may be substituted as determined by the department head.

Responsibilities

• Assists with planning, instituting and directing functions and operations to promote development of wastewater services.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for assigned divisions and participates in departmental policy and rate setting.
• Directs and supervises staff involved in construction, inspection and maintenance of sanitary sewers, treatment plants, and other operations.
• Coordinates activities with other divisions and outside agencies.
• Assigns, trains, supervises and evaluates staff.

Skills

Leadership

Budget management

Strategic planning

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in management, business administration, engineering, physical sciences, or closely-related field

Job description

Job Description Summary Department - Regional Wastewater Reclamation Job Description OPEN UNTIL FILLED Job Type: Unclassified Job Classification: 1049 - Deputy Director Regional Wastewater Reclamation Salary Grade: 20 Pay Range Hiring Range: $127,212 - $174,886 Annually Pay Range: $127,212 - $190,798 Annually Range Explanation: Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity. Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position. The first review of applications will be on 09/25/2026.

Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department has an established reputation of excellence by providing outstanding customer service; investing in employees; continuously improving processes; and enhancing financial stability. The department operates and maintains systems and facilities that convey, treat, and reclaim over 62 million gallons of wastewater per day. We are responsible for the design, construction, management, operation, and maintenance of nearly 3,600 miles of the region’s sanitary sewer (conveyance) system, 22 pump stations, 26 odor control sites, 37 flow monitoring sites, as well as two metropolitan and six sub-regional water reclamation facilities. Our vision is to be an industry leader in the management and sustainability of the water reclamation cycle and other renewable resources. We have won many accolades and awards for our innovation, research, and are recognized for our expertise by our peers, sister utilities, and from various professional organizations. Our mission is to protect the public health and safety, and the environment by providing quality service, excellent environmental stewardship, and developing renewable resources.

The Deputy Director is a key member of the County’s Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department’s executive leadership team that ensures alignment of public utility goals and vision with our Strategic Plan. This position is one of three Deputy Director roles (Treatment, Conveyance, and Technical Services & Engineering) who oversee a department of 400 employees, an annual operations and maintenance budget of over $100 million, an annual capital budget of over $50 million, numerous regulatory compliance permits and a strong culture towards safety, customer service, and sustainability. This classification is in the unclassified service and is exempt from the Pima County Merit System Rules.

Essential Functions:

• Assists with planning, instituting and directing functions and operations to promote the orderly and systematic development of wastewater services
• Develops and implements policies and procedures for assigned divisions and participates in the development of departmental policies and consumer rate setting
• Assists with the direction and supervision of professional and support staff involved in the construction, inspection and maintenance of sanitary sewers, treatment plants, and other operations
• Coordinates activities of assigned divisions internally with other divisions of the RWRD, other County departments and outside agencies
• Assigns, trains, supervises and evaluates assigned staff
• Reviews budget proposals of subordinate divisions and participates in the development and administration of the departmental budget
• Performs statutory requirements of the Director and acts as department head in the Director's absence
• Attends various planning and other meetings
• Assists in directing studies affecting the economy and efficiency of operations
• Recommends the selection and appointment of management and supervisory personnel
• Prepares administrative reports
• Ensures safe and regulatory compliant performance in all aspects of operating and maintaining this utility

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in management, business administration, engineering, physical sciences, or a closely-related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND eight years of technical and managerial experience in sanitary engineering or the operation of a water sector utility INCLUDING two years in an administrative or managerial capacity. (Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.) Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum five (5) years experience supervising technical staff, including resolving technical and operational problems and promoting a collaborative and efficient work environment
• Experience leading a diverse workforce in a complex and dynamic environment including responsibility for employee safety, operational performance, and achieving organizational goals
• Minimum five (5) years experience managing a private or public utility or serving in a leadership role with responsibility for a large manufacturing, industrial, or construction operation
• Minimum five (5) years experience in a position with responsible charge for regulatory compliance
• Minimum five (5) years experience developing multimillion-dollar operations and maintenance budgets and preparing monthly budget forecasts

Selection Procedure:

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources. Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Licenses and Certificates:

Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Items:

The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship.

Physical/Sensory Requirements:

Physical and sensory abilities will be determined by position.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions will be determined by the position.

EEO Information:

Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law. Pima County stands out as an exceptional workplace, offering a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and personal satisfaction. As one of the largest employers in the region, Pima County prioritizes its commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, recognizing the unique contributions of each employee. Embracing innovation and collaboration, Pima County provides multiple opportunities in which individuals can make a meaningful impact on their community. One of the key advantages of working for Pima County is its comprehensive benefits package. Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, and retirement plans that contribute to long-term financial security. Pima County recognizes the importance of a healthy work-life balance, offering flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy and wellness programs that prioritize employee well-being. Furthermore, Pima County takes pride in fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. Employees benefit from opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement programs. In addition, a County-wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of being accountable, respectful and ethical as well as providing great customer service. By joining Pima County, individuals become part of a dedicated team working towards a common goal: enhancing the quality of life for residents and building a vibrant future. Pima County is not just an employer; it's a community that values its employees, encourages their growth, and invests in their success.