District Manager

California Water Service; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 139,000 - 258,000; Full time

Job summary

California Water Service Group is seeking a District Manager to lead field operations and customer service across Visalia and Selma districts, based in Visalia, CA. This role drives district performance, safety, and regulatory compliance while coordinating with stakeholders.

You will develop district budgets, rate cases, and personnel plans, acting as a district spokesperson when needed. Requires a Bachelor's degree and 10 years’ leadership in water utilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent water utility experience.
• At least 10 years' experience in field operations, customer service or related department.
• Operator certifications in water distribution and treatment per state requirements.
• Ability to lead district-wide initiatives and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Oversee field operations, customer service, production and contract operations.
• Plan short- and long-term district goals and budget development.
• Ensure SOX compliance, reporting and regulatory adherence.
• Supervise, train and develop district staff and contractors.
• Act as district media spokesperson and coordinate with agencies.
• Coordinate with City/County water agencies and community relations.

Skills

Staff management

Budget planning

Regulatory compliance

Public speaking

SCADA operations

Water distribution

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) invites you to build a meaningful career with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values‑integrity, quality, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship‑and is reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

California Water Service

Job Description

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) invites you to build a meaningful career with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values‑integrity, quality, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship‑and is reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

The District Manager is responsible for the general oversight of all field operations and customer service activities in the district; establishing oneself as a leader in the community; acting as district spokesperson for media communication; short and long-term district planning; budgeting and rate case development; development of district personnel and coordination of district activities with Customer Support Services entrepreneurial marketing to insure Company growth. This position will be responsible for both our Visalia and Selma district offices but based in Visalia, CA.

Essential Functions

• Manages staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; training and development; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations
• Provides oversight of all field operations, customer service activities, production operations, and contract operations
• Plans and expedites short- and long-term district goals
• Develops, monitors, and administers district budget, capital improvement budget, and rate case; participates in audits
• Oversees SOX compliance and reporting
• Responsible for the administration of, adherence to, and financial disposition of all contracts
• Responsible for working with state and local government agencies as well as regulatory bodies
• Acts as the Shift Operator as needed
• When functioning as the Shift Operator will supervise the day-to-day operations in one or more of the Company's water systems, including water distribution, production, treatment, maintenance, and construction activities and provides direction for daily water quality and quantity water system operations, maintenance, and stand-by operator after hour activities
• Ensures certified distribution operators or treatment operators are properly trained to make decisions that affect water quality and quantity using manual or supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)
• Provides oversight to the operations and maintenance of well sites, system booster stations, reservoirs, treatment plant, compliance water sampling, and testing
• Provides oversight to system main repairs, service repairs, meter repairs and replacement program, flushing program, valve operation program, and conducts fire flow availability tests
• Oversees and responds to all water quality and environmental inquiries and issues; may participate in inspections; and interacts with applicable local, state, federal agencies
• Forecasts and plans water supply, including securing additional supplies through negotiations and possible short- and long-term transfer agreements
• Ensures all water quality regulations are met
• Ensures the distribution system is properly maintained
• Develops training plans for district personnel in coordination with various Customer Support Services departments
• Coordinates and plans internal and outside agency meetings regarding current and future water supply and related costs
• Acts as designated media spokesperson for all types of media communication, including TV, newspaper, and radio
• Participates at a district and corporate level in entrepreneurial marketing, including out-of-state when necessary, to ensure Company's growth and competitive high quality footprint
• Builds, develops and maintains relationship with City, County and water agencies
• Participates in community relations and community service to ensure the Company's partnership in the community
• Commitment to the Company's Continuous Improvement process
• Performs work on-site in the assigned office location
• Perform other duties as assigned to fulfill business operational needs and objectives
• Attend meetings and training as directed by California Water Service

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent relevant water utility experience
• Ten years of experience working in a water utility in field operations, customer service, or related department
• State Water Resources Control Board-Drinking Water-Operator Certification Programs Water Distribution Operator Grade IV Certification
• Must obtain State Water Resources Control Board-Drinking Water-Operator Certification Programs Water Distribution Operator Grade V Certification in 18 months
• State Water Resources Control Board-Drinking Water-Operator Certification Programs Water Treatment Operator Grade II Certification
• Must complete Operations Leadership Pathway Module I and II withing 24 months.
• Knowledge of construction, maintenance, and repairs to distribution system
• Excellent written, verbal, and public speaking skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications
• Valid California Driver License
• Must live within 30 minutes of the District office

Salary Range: $138,800 - $257,700 (DOE)

Deadline to submit resume is Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class. The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.