Assistant General Manager / Chief Operating Officer | Water Replenishment District (WRD)
Lakewood, California, General Purpose
Under administrative direction, plans and oversees the District’s water resources management and regulatory efforts including compliance with water quality regulations, conservation and drought planning, water efficiency programs, emergency responses, and policy and legislative engagement efforts. Oversees the District’s engineering, operations, and hydrogeology functions including interpretation of District ordinances, policies, and applicable laws and regulations, and ensures services comply with the policies and strategic direction set by the General Manager, Board of Directors, and mandated regulations; directs and manages the development of short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the Strategic Plan and ensures their effective execution; serves as acting General Manager in his or her absence; and performs related duties as assigned.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Receives administrative direction from the General Manager and Board of Directors. Exercises direct supervision over professional and technical staff. This senior management classification is responsible for planning and overseeing the District’s engineering, operations, and hydrogeology functions; the incumbent assumes responsibility for short- and long-term planning as well as development and administration of District policies, procedures, and services. This class provides assistance to the General Manager on a variety of administrative, coordinative, analytical, and liaison capacities. Successful performance of the work requires knowledge of public policy, District functions and activities, including the role of the District’s Board of Directors, and the ability to develop, oversee, and implement projects and programs in a variety of areas. Responsibilities include coordinating the activities of the District with outside agencies and managing and overseeing the complex and varied functions of the District. The incumbent is accountable for furthering District goals and objectives within general policy guidelines.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions, and to make reasonable accommodations so qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Plans and oversees the District’s regulatory compliance and water resource management efforts including compliance with water quality regulations, conservation and drought planning, efficiency programs, emergency responses, and policy and legislative engagement efforts; interprets District ordinances, policies, and applicable laws and regulations, and ensures services comply with the policies and strategic direction set by the General Manager, Board of Directors, and mandated regulations.
Oversees the District’s engineering, operations, hydrogeology, water resources, and watermaster functions including interpretation of District ordinances, policies, and applicable laws and regulations.
Directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of short- and long-term District-wide goals and objectives, plans, programs, projects, policies, and systems focused on achieving the District’s mission, strategic plan, and Board priorities.
Provides expert advice and assistance to the General Manager in identifying, articulating, and implementing District policies, programs, and projects to meet community and customer needs; assists and supports the General Manager in the daily operations of the District.
Participates in the development of District operating and capital improvement budgets; monitors implementation of adopted budgets; provides problem solving and management decisions on mid-year budget fluctuations and other budget issues
Selects, motivates, and directs District staff; plans and evaluates performance of assigned staff; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; investigates employee complaints; takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the District's personnel rules and policies.
Provides day-to-day leadership and works with executive and management team members to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment, consistent with sound management principles and District mission and values.
Analyzes proposed Federal and State laws, regulations, and court decisions for their impact on District practices and operations; recommends and implements policy and procedure changes consistent with requirements.
Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
Reviews, evaluates, and recommends approval and/or modification of plans for water and facility projects prepared by District staff and consulting engineers; participates in negotiations with contractors, consultants, vendors, and other public agencies.
Plans and executes projects, strategies, studies, and programs to protect the District's existing water resources; actively develops new water resources; executes policies and priorities set by the General Manager and the Board of Directors to serve current and future water needs of District customers.
Prepares and submits a variety of regulatory reports including those regarding water supply and demand, both short- and long-term, demand forecasting, drought planning, drought response, groundwater and surface water reports, recycled water compliance reports, and related reports to the State Water Resources Control Board and other regulatory agencies.
Participates in State, regional, and local water, water recycling, special district, and related professional meetings and conferences to stay abreast of trends and technologies related to District operations; responds to rapidly changing regulatory and policy environments to maintain District self-reliance, independence, and autonomy.
May serves as the General Manager in his or her absence.
Ensures staff observe and comply with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Knowledge of:
Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
Principles and practices of effective leadership, management, and supervision.
Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
Principles and practices of strategic plan development.
Principles and practices of budget administration.
Principles and practices of contract management.
General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
Principles, practices, and procedures of public administration in a municipal setting.
Functions, authority, responsibilities, and limitations of an elected Board of Directors.
Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of assigned areas of responsibility.
Water resources management and influences upon water supply and demand.
State of California water resources, regulations, infrastructure, and organization.
Theory, principles, practices, and techniques of water, wastewater, and maintenance management.
Principles, practices, and techniques involved in the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of water treatment and water reclamation systems.
District functions and associated management, financial, and public policy issues.
Social, political, and environmental issues influencing program/project development and implementation.
Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports and business correspondence.
Research methods and analysis techniques.
Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
District and mandated safety rules, regulations, protocols, and occupational hazards.
Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
Ability to:
Plan and oversee the District’s regulatory compliance and water resource management efforts including compliance with water quality regulations, conservation and drought planning, efficiency programs, emergency responses, and policy and legislative engagement efforts.
Oversee the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of water treatment and water reclamation systems.
Develop and implement strategic plans, goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
Provide administrative and professional leadership for the District.
Oversee and administer complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
Understand, interpret, explain, and apply Federal, State, and regional policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and court decisions governing operations in assigned areas of responsibility.
Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel; delegate authority and responsibility.
Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
Perform duties in a flexible and adaptive manner.
Manage programs and projects involving multiple groups, departments, and agencies over multiple years.
Understand the perspectives and motivations of regional colleagues, political allies, and opponents.
Conduct complex research projects; extract, compile, analyze and present data from large datasets and databases; evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations on complex management and administrative issues; and prepare effective technical staff reports.
Present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively in public meetings.
Analyze political trends and assess priorities of various stakeholders.
Effectively represent the District in meetings with Board Members, governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Education:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, construction management, business, or public administration, environmental, physical, or biological sciences, or a related field.
Experience:
Seven (7) years of progressively responsible administrative or management experience in a water utility or related industry including responsibility for the development and implementation of complex public works utility projects, programs, goals, policies, and strategies, including three (3) years of experience in a supervisory, management, or leadership capacity.
Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:
Possession of a valid Class “C” California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
Maintenance of valid registration as Professional Engineer in the State of California or maintenance of valid registration as a California Professional Geologist and a California Certified Hydrogeologist are desirable.