Group Program Manager Jobs in Bakersfield, CA (NOW HIRING)

California Water Service

Job Description:

California Water Service Group invites you to build a meaningful career with the thirdlargest publicly traded water utility. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve. Our culture is grounded in core values-integrity, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship-and 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 purposedriven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.
The Manager, Wells Program (MWP) has statewide responsibility (CA) for the delivery of potable water well projects, new or replacement. The role leads the development and execution of a scalable wells delivery program to plan, permit, design, construct, equip, and place new or replacement potable water wells into service efficiently, consistently, and in alignment with company capital planning, water supply, regulatory, and operational needs. The role is responsible for converting well delivery from regional to a centralized and programmatic approach to optimize and increase well delivery output. The MWP will stand up the new program in an accelerated fashion to support the existing projects currently underway, develop and implement the future and higher rate well replacement program evaluating and recommending the most effective and efficient methods to scale and then oversee the execution of the programs +/- 50 concurrent well projects expected when program is in full swing. This manager directly supervises a team of internal and external staff, some as direct reports and others indirectly via assignment to the wells program, including outside consultants, as needed, to effectively execute the well program on scope, schedule and budget. The position reports to the Director of Capital Delivery and can be located in Chico, San Jose, Bakersfield or Torrance California.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and executes the overall strategy, vision, and long-range plan for the wells program, including scaling delivery capacity to meet current and future well construction and replacement needs.

• Partners with Water Resources, Asset Management, and Capital Delivery department leadership to support wells program justification, staffing plans, for general rate case filings.

• Leads, tracks, and reports on well program delivery to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and within approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.

• Manages the well delivery team, including assigning priorities, monitoring performance, resolving issues, mitigating risks, and supporting schedule adherence.

• Supervises direct-reporting engineers (2 engineers initially) including performance management, training and development, workload planning, and staffing recommendations. Coordinates the work of assigned internal resources (1 engineer and 1 technician initially) working with their functional manager.

• Develops, monitors, and reports program KPIs for production, quality, schedule, cost, and delivery effectiveness.

• Establishes and continuously improves standard well delivery processes, procedures, tools, templates, workflows, and systems to improve consistency, efficiency, and scalability.

• Evaluates role specialization, programmatic support models, alternative delivery methods, and opportunities to parallel work to improve well delivery productivity and reduce schedule duration.

• Leads change management and continuous improvement efforts associated with well program process improvements and participates in broader company continuous improvement initiatives.

• Collaborates with the Design Center and Technical Standards Advisory Committee to develop, maintain, and improve well and well station standards, including standard designs, tools, templates, and company-wide technical standards.

• Coordinates programmatic permitting, environmental, water quality, agency communication, and hydrogeology support to streamline CEQA, CUP, DDW, and related well project approvals.

• Working with Project Support Services and Procurement departments, develops and manages scalable contracting approaches, including master contracts for permitting consultants, hydrogeologists, drilling contractors, construction services, procurement, and construction-phase project support.

• Tests, evaluates, and implements improved methods for well drilling, construction, equipping, procurement, and project support to identify the most effective and efficient delivery practices.

• Works with Asset Management to develop and execute well condition assessment, rehabilitation criteria, replacement timing, and reforecasting well replacement need methodologies.

• Documents and applies lessons learned from completed wells to improve future project delivery, standards, contracting strategies, and program performance.

• Performs work on site at assigned location.

• Performs other similar duties as assigned.

MINIMUMQUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Geology or related field.

• Minimum of eight years of progressive experience working in an engineering (or geology) and project management capacity, including experience with design and construction of water facilities, specifically potable water wells.

• State registration as a Professional Engineer (PE).

• Management experience desired.

• Project Management Professional (PMI) certifications desirable.

• Master's degree desirable.

• State registration as a Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG) desirable.

• Water Distribution and Water Treatment Operator Certifications desirable.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with strong ability to create unity among internal and external teams.

• Strong business acumen and proven history in successfully delivering major capital projects and programs on scope, schedule and budget.

• Ability to create reports/dashboards and provide analysis and recommendations.

• Mastery level computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including Word, Excel, Access, Microsoft Project, and PowerPoint.

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, with ability to flex from detailed, lower-level content to executive level summary information.

• Valid California Driver License.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.

• knowledge of water system engineering, operations, and maintenance.

• Knowledge and understanding of the PUC rate case process and financial principles, including familiarity with the PUC Uniform System of Accounts.

• Knowledge, understanding and experience with the California Waterworks Standards.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of potable water well design, permitting and construction.

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of project management and project delivery processes and procedures.

• Advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite of products, Outlook, Excel, Word, Visio, Microsoft Project online (MSPO), SharePoint, Smartsheet's, Peoplesoft, PowerPlan, Bonfire, Avetta and PowerApps (or other workflow system).

• Knowledge and understanding of the PUC rate case process and financial principles, including familiarity with the PUC Uniform System of Accounts.

• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines.

• Ability to make decisions and strive for consensus with other engineering managers and district staff.

• Ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing, with all levels of employees and management.

• Ability to understand and write policies, procedures, and instructions.

• Ability to communicate and maintain effective working relationships with outside contractors, vendors, consultants, regulators, and staff in districts, departments, and engineering.

• Ability to write clear and concise general and technical reports.

• Demonstrated trouble shooting and problem-solving skills.

• Demonstrated leadership skills.

• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills.

Salary Range:

Bakersfield, Chico, CA - $125,090 - $232,310 (DOE)

Torrence, CA - $131,670 - $244,530 (DOE)

San Jose, CA - $140,840 - $261,560 (DOE)

Deadline to submit resume is Friday, July 31, 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 Serviceand Washington Water Servicedo 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.