General Manager

Delta Diablo; Antioch (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare Insurance

Dental & Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Delta Diablo is seeking a visionary General Manager to provide strategic leadership across operations, finances, and regulatory compliance. You will oversee the capital program, drive organizational excellence, and serve as the District’s chief executive, reporting to the Board of Directors.

The role requires deep public utility experience and strong collaboration with the Executive Team. The ideal candidate has a track record of managing complex programs, leading diverse teams, and delivering

Qualifications

• Education and experience demonstrating ability to lead a large public utility.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field; CA PE license desirable.
• Ten years in wastewater or water sector with seven years of supervisory/management experience, including at least five years at senior level.

Responsibilities

• Lead Executive Team on policy, strategic, financial, regulatory, and public affairs issues.
• Oversee capital projects to address aging infrastructure and regulatory needs.
• Manage operating budget development and alignment of resources.
• Develop and guide Strategic Plan goals and related initiatives.
• Represent the District in industry associations and external partnerships.
• Negotiate labor contracts with three bargaining units.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Public Administration

Policy Development

Labor Relations

Education

Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or related field

Master’s degree desirable

California PE license desirable

Job description

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Fair Labor Standards Act Classification

The Position

Delta Diablo has launched a nationwide recruitment for its next General Manager, with Bob Murray & Associates leading the executive search. The General Manager reports directly to the Board of Directors and serves as the District’s chief executive officer, providing strategic leadership and oversight of the organization’s operations, workforce, finances, capital program, regulatory responsibilities, and organizational performance. The District is seeking an experienced, forward‑thinking leader with strong judgment, strategic leadership skills, and a commitment to collaboration, organizational excellence, and public service. The filing deadline is November 8, 2026.

DEFINITION

Under broad policy direction of the Board of Directors, plans, administers, implements, and manages all organizational functions and activities to achieve sustained organizational excellence and fulfill the District’s Mission, Vision, and strategic planning goals, strategies, objectives, and initiatives; and leads the Executive Team in addressing significant policy, strategic, financial, technical, legal, regulatory, legislative, operational, administrative, human resources, and public affairs issues.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is a single position, executive management classification distinguished by its high level of responsibility in effectively managing District operations across a broad range of organizational functions, meeting regulatory compliance, legal, and code requirements at the federal, state, and local level, and ensuring responsible management and oversight of the District’s capital program and operating budget.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

This position receives general policy direction from the Board of Directors and provides direct supervision to Executive Team members, which include the Deputy General Manager, Business Services Director, Resource Recovery Services Director, Engineering Services Director, and Office Manager/Secretary to the Board. May provide general supervision and direction to the Human Resources and Risk Manager on specific work activities.

Primary Job Duties

TYPICAL DUTIES

These duties are typical for this classification, but incumbents may not perform all of the duties assigned below and/or may perform different functions based on business needs and evolving organizational focus areas.

• Actively leads, directs, and engages with Executive Team members regarding significant policy, strategic, financial, technical, legal, regulatory, legislative, operational, human resources, and public affairs issues.
• Ensures strategic, cost‑effective, proactive, and timely implementation of prioritized, complex capital improvement projects to address aging infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and capacity needs in the District’s wastewater and recycled water systems.
• Manages development, implementation, and administration of the District’s operating budget with a focus on aligning internal and external resources to meet organizational needs, and ensuring financial sustainability and responsible stewardship of limited customer resources.
• Leads identification, prioritization, and completion of annual Strategic Initiatives to support implementation of the District’s Strategic Plan; and leads development of periodic updates to the District’s Strategic Plan, including coordinating internal review and identification of potential changes to the District’s Mission, Vision, and Behavioral Value Statements, and strategic goals, strategies, and objectives through engagement with the Board and staff.
• Ensures a strategic, prioritized, and cost‑effective approach to development and implementation of information technology, process automation, and innovative business processes to drive organizational effectiveness and efficiency.
• Ensures preparation of high‑quality, accurate, transparent, and timely Board communications, including written communications, presentations, and closed session materials.
• Develops labor contract negotiation strategies and manages negotiation of memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with three collective bargaining units.
• Effectively addresses and resolves labor relations and personnel matters in coordination with the Executive Team and Human Resources and Risk Manager.
• Supports enhancements to positive organizational culture attributes, employee engagement and communications, workforce development, performance measurement, and succession planning.
• Prioritizes development of new and revised Board and District policies and procedures, while ensuring compliance with current legal, regulatory, and code requirements; and ensures development of associated standard operating procedures for consistency with District policies and procedures.
• Represents the District in various industry association and regional collaboration capacities, including regulatory and legislative groups; and develops associated position papers, comment letters, and public comments, as needed.
• Identifies and secures external funding sources (e.g., grants, low‑interest loans) to support the District’s long‑term financial sustainability goals.
• Leads the District’s public outreach and communications efforts to support specific District initiatives, response actions, and issue resolution; and responds to public and/or media inquiries, customers, local officials, outside agencies, community organizations, and industry peer agencies.
• Performs related duties, as assigned by the Board of Directors.

Qualifications

QUALIFYING TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Required

A combination of training and experience that demonstrates an individual has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work (with reasonable accommodation if needed). A person with the following combined training and experience would most likely qualify to compete in a selection process:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering (or closely related field), business administration, public administration, or a related field from an accredited college or university. A master’s degree in these areas and/or a Professional Engineering license from the State of California is highly desirable.

Experience: Ten years of progressively more responsible technical, managerial, and administrative experience in the wastewater or water sector, including seven years of supervisory experience that includes at least five years at the senior management level.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration, organizational design and management, strategic planning, and policy and procedure development as they apply to wastewater conveyance and treatment, recycled water, and related systems.
• Fundamental wastewater treatment principles, processes, and technologies, including resource recovery practices and opportunities.
• Federal, state, and local legal, regulatory, and code compliance requirements as they relate to operation, administration, and management of a special district public utility.
• Effective organizational leadership, teambuilding, and motivation practices.
• Principles, practices, and methods of workforce development, including staff engagement, professional development, training, and performance management.
• Principles, practices, and methods of capital project delivery, including program management; project planning, design, and construction; and facility operation and maintenance.
• Principles, practices, and techniques to support effective labor relations, conflict resolution, and labor collective bargaining negotiations.
• Research, assimilation, organization, and reporting methods and techniques to support management review of alternatives analyses and associated recommendations.
• Technical writing, presentation preparation and delivery, verbal and interpersonal communication techniques, and proper use of English, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Modern office practices and methods, and computer equipment and applications related to performing the work.
• General District and Cal/OSHA safety requirements and associated workforce training requirements.

Ability to:

• Apply strong critical‑thinking and decision‑making skills to effectively identify, evaluate, and manage a broad range of policy, financial, technical, legal, regulatory, legislative, operational, administrative, human resources, and public affairs issues; and make sound, associated recommendations for management actions.
• Ensure compliance with applicable legal, regulatory, and code requirements as they apply to a special district public utility.
• Effectively manage programs, projects, and tasks in collaborative manner involving multiple internal and/or external stakeholders to achieve positive outcome that support sustained organizational excellence and improvement over time.
• Manage development and implementation of Strategic Plan goals and associated strategies, objectives, and initiatives.
• Negotiate complex labor contracts with the District’s three collective bargaining units, and agreements with external parties, as needed, to support key District focus areas.
• Exercise influence, apply persuasive communication skills, and function effectively in internal and external stakeholder environments.
• Develop, update, interpret, and communicate District policies and procedures that comply with legal, regulatory, code, and other requirements.
• Effectively represent the District in industry associations, and meetings with governmental and regulatory agencies, community groups, media representatives, and elected officials.
• Develop, manage, and administer contracts for general and professional services.

Licenses and Certifications:

A valid California Class C driver’s license and insurability under the District’s driving program must be maintained at all times.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work in a normal office environment with controlled lighting, ventilation, and moderate noise levels.
• May be required to work outside of normal business hours to respond to emergency situations or as training or operational needs require.
• Periodic travel may be required for training, meetings, and other business purposes.
• Frequent sitting at a desk for prolonged periods while using a computer or in meetings.
• Regularly uses standard office equipment (keyboard, scanner, copier, telephone); intermittently twisting and reaching to operate other equipment without incapacitating adverse effects.

Selection Procedures

EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS

Fair Labor Standards Act Classification Exempt

Collective Bargaining Representation Unit: Excluded

Pay Level: GM

Job Specifications Approved by: Board of Directors

Approval Date: 3/22/06

Appointment and Removal Authority: Board of Directors

Revision Approval Authority: General Manager

Revision Date: 9/4/26

Benefits Of Employment

In addition to providing challenging and interesting career positions, the District offers a comprehensive benefit package, which includes:

Healthcare Insurance:

The District contracts with CalPERS to provide medical coverage to qualified employees, their eligible spouse/registered domestic partner, and/or dependent children through the Public Employees’ Medical and Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) and pays the monthly premium up to 100% of the Kaiser rate for each respective coverage category (employee only, employee + 1, or employee + family). Employees will be required to pay, via pretax payroll deductions, the excess premium amount when electing a healthcare provider whose premium exceeds the Kaiser rate. All employees must enroll in the District’s dental plan.

Dental and Vision Insurance:

The District provides vision and dental coverage for qualified employees, their eligible spouse/registered domestic partner, and/or dependent children, and pays 100% of the premium.

SS and SDI:

The District participates in the federal Social Security (6.2% - FICA and 1.45% - Medicare) and State Disability Insurance (SDI) programs.

Life Insurance:

The District provides fully paid basic life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance equal to the employee’s salary as of January 1 of each year, to a $350K maximum. The District also provides Long Term Disability coverage and an Employee Assistance Program.

Flexible Spending and Dependent Care Accounts:

Employees may contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Dependent Care Spending Plan (DCSP) on a pre‑tax basis to assist with the cost of eligible expenses.

Retirement:

• Employees hired after June 30, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, with reciprocity recognized under CalPERS are provided a retirement benefit of 2% at age 55 formula with the three‑year final average compensation period, as defined by CalPERS in Government Code Section 20037. These employees shall pay 100% of their seven percent (7%) employee member contribution on a pre‑tax basis.
• Employees (PEPRA) hired after December 31, 2012, without reciprocity recognized under CalPERS are provided a retirement benefit of 2% at age 62 formula with the three‑year final average compensation period, as defined by CalPERS in Government Code Section 20037. These employees shall pay 50% of the total normal cost (PEPRA Member Contribution Rate) as determined annually by CalPERS on a pre‑tax basis.
• Retiree Medical*: Under the terms of the MOU, the District contracts with CalPERS to provide post‑employment medical coverage to qualified employees, their eligible spouse/registered domestic partner, and/or dependent children in accordance with the requirements of CA Government Code Section 22893 as follows:

Employees hired after October 15, 2022

• The Medical Benefit will be equal to the Minimum Employer Contribution (MEC) established annually by CalPERS.

* Retirees must enroll in a Medicare supplemental insurance plan through CalPERS when they become eligible. CalPERS requires that employees pay their Social Security premium for Medical Part B coverage to remain enrolled in a CalPERS Medicare health plan.

Retiree Health Savings Account:

The District provides employees a MissionSquare retiree health savings account (a health reimbursement arrangement as described in Internal Revenue Service Notice 2002-45). Employees may withdraw benefits from the plan upon separation from District employment per the requirements of the plan.

The District shall make contributions to a MissionSquare account in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per pay period for employees hired after October 15, 2022.

Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees may participate in the District’s 401(a) and 457(b) programs. Employees who participate in the program are eligible to receive a matching contribution up to 4% into their 401(a).

Leave Allowance:

Vacation accrual begins with 10 days and increases to a maximum of 25 days annually; 96 hours of sick leave annually; and 11 paid holidays annually. 24 hours of Floating Holiday and 40 hours of Administrative Leave is credited to employees on July 1 annually (prorated for new hires) and is forfeited if unused by the end of the fiscal year.

Sick Leave Sell Back:

Employees may sell back sick leave hours exceeding 40 hours in the year that it was accrued up to a maximum sell back of 40 hours of sick leave per year. Sick leave sell back will be paid out in the final paycheck of the calendar year.

Vacation Maximum Accrual:

The maximum annual carryover is 400 hours. Any hours earned in excess will be paid out in the final paycheck of the calendar year.

Other Health and Wellness:

The District participates in a variety health and wellness activities throughout the year, which includes but is not limited to blood pressure checks, flu vaccinations, fitness/wellness competitions, wellness information sessions, etc. The District also reimburses staff up to $81 quarterly for gym memberships and/or weight loss programs.

• Unrepresented management receives a benefit package that minimally reflects the benefits provided to members of the Management Association. Information concerning additional benefits, such as tuition reimbursement, catastrophic leave, etc. can be found in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Delta Diablo and the Management Association Bargaining Unit.

Disaster Service Worker:

Employees of Delta Diablo are, by State and Federal law, Disaster Service Workers. In the event of a declaration of emergency, any employee may be assigned activities that promote protection of public health and safety or the preservation of lives and property, either at the District or within the local or their own community pursuant to State Government Code Sections 3100-3109.

Other Important Employment Information:

Employees of Delta Diablo are required to maintain a valid California State Class C license. Continued maintenance of valid driver’s license, and the ability to be insured for the operation of a vehicle/District vehicle in accordance with the terms and conditions of the District's insurance program are conditions of continued employment.

Equal Opportunity:

All aspects of employment and promotion shall be without regards to sex, physical handicap, race, religious creed, color, national origin or age. The District encourages applications from qualified minorities and women interested in employment with the District. Reasonable accommodations are accessible to all individuals as part of the recruitment process. Applicants requesting an accommodation should submit their requests to Human Resources.

All final candidates for employment with the District are subject to a background check. Acceptance of an employment offer is contingent upon successfully passing a District pre‑employment physical examination and drug screen.