Water Services Director

City of Glendale AZ; Glendale (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

ASRS pension plan

Job summary

The City of Glendale, AZ is seeking a Director of Water Services to provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the Water Services Department, overseeing water and wastewater operations, capital projects, and regulatory compliance.

You will lead budgeting, long-range planning, and stakeholder engagement with elected officials and regional partners, ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable utility services for 250,000 residents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of increasingly responsible management experience in water/wastewater utilities.
• Preferred: Master's degree or ADEQ Grade 4 certifications or PE in Arizona.
• Equivalent education/experience may qualify.

Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and directs the activities and staff of the Water Services Department, including water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, stormwater, and related operations.
• Provides direction and vision, emphasizing strategic planning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Directs staff tasks, development, hiring decisions, performance, and policy compliance.
• Prepares reports to city leadership and serves as an advisor on water and wastewater matters.
• Oversees operating and capital budgets, forecasting and rate analysis.
• Represents the City before regulatory bodies and partners on water/wastewater issues.
• Directs planning, design, construction, and replacement of utility infrastructure.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Executive leadership

Budgeting & finance

Regulatory compliance

Strategic planning

Workforce leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field

Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field

Job description

Description

The City of Glendale's Water Services Department provides over 250,000 residents with safe, reliable, and high-quality water and wastewater services. Glendale Water Services promotes industry best practices, leadership, and innovation to ensure our employees put public health and the vitality of our community first!

The Director of Water Services provides executive leadership and strategic direction for the City's Water Services Department, overseeing the planning, organization, and administration of all departmental operations, programs, and personnel. The position is responsible for establishing department-wide policies, developing long-range strategic initiatives, and ensuring the delivery of safe, reliable, and sustainable water, wastewater, and utility services while addressing complex operational, regulatory, financial, and organizational challenges. As a member of the City's executive leadership team, the Director oversees all administrative and operational functions of the department, including budget development and fiscal stewardship, strategic planning, capital improvement planning, performance management, procurement, regulatory compliance, and workforce leadership. The Director fosters collaborative relationships with elected officials, executive leadership, regulatory agencies, regional partners, and the community to advance the City's strategic priorities and ensure exceptional public service. This position will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications occurring on August 31, 2026.

The City of Glendale offers a generous comprehensive benefits package with competitive rates that become effective on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment.

Below are some City of Glendale benefits resources for your review:

• 2026 - 2027 Benefits Guide
• City of Glendale's Benefits Page

This position participates in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) pension plan.

• Contribution is mandatory and deducted every pay period
• The current contribution rate is 11.98%

Voluntary 457 Plan: Pre-Tax and Roth Contributions

The City of Glendale is the West Valley's entertainment nexus; whether it's attending a world-class sporting event at State Farm Stadium, enjoying a concert at Desert Diamond Arena, or shopping and dining at the Westgate Entertainment District, as a City of Glendale employee, you'll be right in the middle of it all! Glendale is centrally located within the west valley and has convenient access to the 101, 303, US 60, and I-10 freeways. With development happening all around the city, you will notice new homes and businesses being constructed frequently.

At the City of Glendale you'll have the opportunity to interact and engage with a highly diverse, dedicated, and skilled group of professionals. It is one of the best places to work, to grow your career, skills, and advance your future.

Essential Functions

• Plans, organizes and directs the activities and staff of the Water Services Department, including water treatment, wastewater treatment, water distribution, wastewater collections, storm water, meter maintenance, meter reading, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), administration, safety, security, conservation and sustainability, pretreatment, water quality laboratory, capital improvement projects (CIP), industrial maintenance, water resource planning, environmental services, and warehouse operations.
• Provides overall direction, guidance, and vision, including a focus on strategic planning, innovation, continuous improvement and the organization of resources and structures for best alignment with the City's mission, vision and values.
• Directs staff activities by planning and prioritizing tasks, recommending and monitoring staff development, providing individual and team recognition, ensuring policy and procedure compliance, making hiring decisions, initiating and approving changes and adjustments, monitoring staff performance and providing correction action and discipline.
• Prepares reports to the Assistant City Manager, City Manager and City Council and serves in an advisory capacity to the City Manager, staff and City Council on water and wastewater matters.
• Oversees the development, administration, and monitoring of the department’s operating and capital improvement budgets, including long-range financial planning and rate analysis.
• Represents the City before regulatory agencies, professional organizations, regional partnerships, governmental entities, community groups, and other stakeholders on water and wastewater matters.
• Directs the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, and replacement of utility infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Special Requirements/Success Factors

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field, and five years of increasingly responsible management experience in water and wastewater utilities, preferably in the public sector.

• The preferred candidate for this role will have:
  • A Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Public Administration, Business Administration or related field, OR
  • An Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Grade 4 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification or Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Certification, OR
  • Be registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Arizona.

Any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. One year of relevant experience may be substituted for each year of required education.

Knowledge Of

• Principles, practices and technologies related to water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment.
• Utility asset management, infrastructure planning and capital improvement program development
• Federal and state environmental regulations and permitting requirements
• Water resource management, conservation, sustainability and environmental stewardship practices
• Utility finance, budgeting, rate structures and long-range financial planning
• Public sector administration and municipal government operations
• Organizational leadership, strategic planning and performance management principles
• Emergency management and utility resilience planning
• SCADA systems, industrial maintenance practices and utility technology applications
• Employee relations, personnel management and employee development practices

Ability To

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for a complex municipal utility
• Plan, organize, direct and evaluate large-scale utility operations and capital programs
• Develop and administer operating and capital budgets
• Analyze complex operational, regulatory, financial and technical issues and develop effective solutions
• Communicate effectively and persuasively both verbally and in writing
• Present technical and policy information to elected officials, executive leadership, employees and the public
• Build collaborative relationships with stakeholders and regulatory agencies
• Lead organizational change and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop, mentor and evaluate management and professional staff
• Make sound decisions under pressure and during emergency situations

Success Factor Classification Level - Executive

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the position change.

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with frequent visits to water and wastewater treatment facilities, maintenance shops, construction sites, and field locations. Position may require attendance at meetings outside normal business hours and availability during emergencies. Benefit information is outlined here: https://www.glendaleaz.gov/Your-Government/Connect/Departments/Human-Resources-Risk-Management/Benefits