Programmer Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $14,986.00 - $20,924.00 Monthly
Location : 75515 Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2020-00490
Department: Engineering
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 03/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Summary
Engineering Manager - Domestic Water
Annual Salary: $179,832 - $251,088 DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package.
This position will be open until filled, with a first application review date of March 30, 2026.
View our comprehensive recruitment brochure here:
If you are interested in this exceptional opportunity, please apply online at:
The is seeking an Engineering Manager, this key leadership position responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the staff, operations, and activities of the Engineering Division. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this role oversees the planning, design, and construction of the District's capital improvement projects and ensures the effective delivery of high-quality professional engineering services.
This management-level position carries significant accountability for division operations, budget administration, policy development, and program implementation. The Engineering Manager provides technical and managerial leadership across a broad portfolio of infrastructure projects involving water, wastewater, and irrigation systems. Responsibilities include managing consultant contracts and requests for proposals, overseeing design quality control, addressing project design and construction issues, reviewing hydraulic modeling analyses and water demand studies, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
The Engineering Manager plays a vital role in driving organizational efficiency and service excellence. The position manages division resources to improve productivity and customer service, evaluates policies and procedures to identify opportunities for enhancement, and ensures capital projects are delivered on schedule and within budget. The role also serves as a liaison with other District departments, regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and professional organizations.
In addition to project oversight, the Engineering Manager provides direct supervision to professional, technical, and administrative staff, selecting, mentoring, evaluating, and supporting a high-performing team committed to safety, innovation, and continuous improvement.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a collaborative and forward-thinking engineering leader to guide complex infrastructure initiatives and support the long-term reliability and sustainability of the District's utility systems.
TITLE: Engineering Manager - Domestic Water
SRN S40: $14,986 - $20,924 Monthly, Exempt
Bargaining Unit: ASSET
DEPARTMENT: Engineering
Section: Domestic Water / General District
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
Reports to: Receives general direction from the Director of Engineering.
Supervises the following positions: Exercises direct supervision over supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff.
Promotional opportunity procedures will include the following:Review of minimum qualifications Review of personnel file, including but not limited: attendance history, disciplinary history, and performance evaluationsTesting/ AssessmentsOral Interview(s)
DEFINITION
Under general direction, plans, organizes, oversees, coordinates, and manages the staff and operations of an Engineering Division which provides professional engineering services for the District's capital improvement projects; participates in the development of policies and strategies for division operations; manages the effective use of division resources to improve organizational productivity and customer service; provides complex and responsible support to the Director of Engineering in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.
Essential Functions
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of an Engineering division, including the planning, design, and construction of the District's capital improvement projects.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with District specifications and service quality.
• Provides quality control on work product including but not limited to reviewing reports, construction drawings, letters, and memorandum produced by staff and/or consultants.
• Addresses project design requirements and issues as they arise; develops options and solutions to resolve design, fiscal, schedule, legal, and/or construction issues; conducts outreach as appropriate to stakeholders affected by District projects.
• Reviews and provides feedback on hydraulic modeling analyses; oversees water demand studies; conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Supports other District departments as appropriate; provides input on operating issues; performs semi-annual inspections of District systems and facilities; and assists with permitting compliance.
• Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other District departments, divisions, and outside agencies.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to District needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files.
• Observes and complies with District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols, and ensures staff do the same.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Please visit for the full job description.
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
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: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
Experience: Seven (7) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering experience, three (3) of which should be in an engineering program management capacity.
Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Driver's license, to be maintained throughout employment. Possession of valid registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California, to be maintained throughout employment.
Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation, and project management.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration.
• Principles and practices of employee supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Methods and techniques of assisting in the development and implementation of Capital Improvement Programs.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of the assigned area of responsibility.
• Principles and practices of contract administration and management.
• Principles and practices of construction management, including engineering, surveying and inspection methods and materials.
• Modern principles and practices of civil engineering design and construction for water, wastewater and irrigation system infrastructure and facilities.
• Principles, practices, methods, and functional operation of process control systems used in water, wastewater and irrigation systems.
• Techniques for effectively representing the District in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Recent and on-going developments, current literature, and sources of information related to the operations of the assigned division.
• Methods and techniques of preparing technical and administrative reports, and general business correspondence.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.

Ability to:

• Plan, organize, oversee, and manage the staff and operations of the Engineering Division.
• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Provide administrative, management, and professional leadership for the division.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Evaluate and develop improvements in operations, procedures, policies, or methods.
• Perform complex engineering work in the design, construction, and planning of the District's capital improvement projects.
• Perform complex hydraulic modeling.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Effectively represent the division and the District in meetings with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Direct the establishment and maintenance of a variety of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• 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.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The Coachella Valley Water District provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package ensuring employees have many options to meet their healthcare, wellness and/or retirement savings goals. Providing employees with flexibility and support for all the different stages of life. Employees may pay some portion of their benefit premium costs based on the provisions of their labor-negotiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's) and the level of coverage they select. Additional information regarding CVWD employee benefits is available at