Program Manager Contract Jobs in Bakersfield, CA

Program Manager – Water Infrastructure (Wells)

Type: Direct Hire

Location: Hybrid – Los Angeles, CA | Chico, CA | Bakersfield, CA | San Jose, CA

Salary: $141,000–$262,000, DOE

About the Role

We're partnered with California's largest regulated water utility to recruit a Program Manager to lead a newly centralized, statewide program for the delivery of potable water wells — new construction and replacement. This is a build-and-run mandate: the utility is converting well delivery from a regional to a centralized, programmatic model, and this role will stand up that program, support projects already underway, and scale it toward the higher-volume replacement pipeline ahead. At full scale, the program is expected to run roughly 50 concurrent well projects statewide.

The Program Manager will oversee planning, permitting, design, construction, equipping, and startup for the well portfolio, working closely with engineering consultants, drilling contractors, hydrogeologists, and internal stakeholders across water resources, asset management, and capital delivery. The role directly supervises two engineers and coordinates the work of an additional engineer and technician assigned to the program, and reports to the Director of Capital Delivery.

This role calls for a strong blend of technical engineering judgment, program management discipline, and California regulatory fluency — particularly around CEQA and well permitting at the county and state level.

Key Responsibilities

•     Develop and execute 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

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

•     Lead, track, and report on well program delivery to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and within approved scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations

•     Manage the well delivery team, including assigning priorities, monitoring performance, resolving issues, and mitigating risks

•     Supervise direct-reporting engineers, including performance management, training, workload planning, and staffing recommendations; coordinate the work of additional assigned engineering and technician resources

•     Develop, monitor, and report program KPIs for production, quality, schedule, cost, and delivery effectiveness

•     Establish and continuously improve standard well delivery processes, procedures, tools, templates, and systems

•     Coordinate programmatic permitting, environmental, water quality, and hydrogeology support to streamline CEQA, CUP, DDW, and related well project approvals

•     Develop and manage scalable contracting approaches, including master contracts for permitting consultants, hydrogeologists, drilling contractors, and construction services

•     Work with Asset Management to develop well condition assessment, rehabilitation criteria, and replacement timing methodologies

•     Prepare and deliver executive-level reports and program summaries

Required Qualifications

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

•     8+ years of progressive experience in engineering (or geology) and project management, including design and construction of water facilities, specifically potable water wells

•     State registration as a Professional Engineer (PE), Professional Geologist (PG), or Certified Hydrogeologist (CHG)

•     Direct familiarity with California well permitting and environmental processes — CEQA, county well permits, environmental health, or related regulatory requirements

•     Experience coordinating with multiple agencies and permitting stakeholders

•     Strong contractor, consultant, and cross-functional leadership skills

•     Proficiency with MS Project and Power BI

•     Valid California Driver License

Preferred Qualifications

•     Master's degree

•     Experience working for a California water utility, groundwater consulting firm, or engineering consultancy

•     Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

•     Water Distribution and Water Treatment Operator certifications

•     Experience writing or reviewing technical engineering documents

Compensation & Employment

Employment Type: The selected candidate will be hired as a full-time employee directly with our client.

Salary: $141,000–$262,000, DOE.

Benefits: 100% employer-funded defined benefit pension — a rare offering in today's market that provides guaranteed lifetime income starting at retirement — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage effective your first month, an annual performance bonus opportunity, 401(k) participation, life insurance and long-term disability coverage, tuition reimbursement, and generous paid time off including holidays, vacation, and sick leave.