Water Authority General Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY!

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County’s regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 22 member agencies serving the region’s $267 billion economy and 3.3 million residents.

The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to diversify the region’s supplies, make major investments in the region’s water delivery and storage system, and improve water use efficiency. Through dynamic leadership, thoughtful planning, and prudent fiscal policies, the Water Authority is cost effectively managing the region’s water portfolio, while continuing to diversify supplies to enhance current and future reliability.

We welcome veteran or transitioning military to apply. Are you a transitioning or former member of the military with experience as an Interdisciplinary Project Manager, Regulatory Project Manager, Hydrologic/Civil Engineer, or in a similar military role? Your project management and technical background may translate directly into success in this position. Applicants may also explore how their military experience aligns with civilian roles by using the Military Skills Translator at https://www.military.com/mst/mos-translator.

The San Diego County Water Authority offers excellent benefits, a supportive work/life balance, and the opportunity to contribute to an industry leading organization.

The Water Resources Department is responsible for water supply planning, long-term facilities planning, environmental, regulatory and support services. The department also: conducts facilities planning and feasibility studies in support of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and Asset Management Program; develops long-range demand forecasting for facility and financial planning; provides regulatory policy support through research and analyses of regulatory and legislative initiatives; administers the Permanent Special Agricultural Water Rate program, water use efficiency (WUE) program, the Water Purchase Agreement for the Carlsbad Desalination Plant, and agreements for the delivery of water to Mexico; provides member agency assistance in local supply development; manages a centralized grants program; manages the Water Authority’s administration of the Integrated Regional Water Management Plan and grants; and ensures environmental regulatory compliance of Water Authority programs and projects.

The ideal candidate is a strategic, technically skilled, and highly collaborative professional with deep experience in water resources, engineering, or public-sector infrastructure planning. This individual excels at evaluating complex data, guiding technical studies, and shaping long-term water supply and facility planning efforts that support regional reliability. They bring strong analytical capability, sound engineering judgment, and the ability to translate technical findings into clear, practical recommendations.

The ideal candidate is an effective communicator who can confidently deliver presentations to the Board of Directors, member agencies, community partners, and external audiences. They are comfortable representing the organization in professional conferences, technical forums, and regional working groups. This person will stay actively engaged in emerging industry trends and public-sector issues affecting water management.

Leadership is central to success in this role. The ideal candidate is an experienced supervisor who fosters teamwork, develops staff, and builds a positive learning environment for technical professionals. They demonstrate skill in coaching, training, workload management, and setting clear expectations to support high-quality work products and professional growth.

A strong commitment to public service, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across departments and partner agencies are essential. The ideal candidate thrives in a mission-driven organization and approaches long-term planning, resource stewardship, and program administration with integrity, innovation, and a forward-looking mindset.

The Water Authority is seeking an experienced and forward-thinking leader to oversee key technical functions central to the region’s long-term water reliability. This position is responsible for guiding both water supply planning and facility planning, ensuring that the agency’s resource strategies and infrastructure initiatives are grounded in sound engineering analysis, regulatory awareness, and long-range forecasting.

Serving as a technical program lead, the incumbent directs complex analytical work involving hydrologic modeling, water demand forecasting, system evaluations, and planning-level engineering studies. The role oversees the development of major planning documents that inform capital investments, operational strategies, and long-term resource sustainability. In addition, the position administers water supply programs, ensuring alignment with regional needs, statewide policy objectives, and evolving environmental and regulatory requirements. This includes administration of the Carlsbad Desalination Plant Water Purchase Agreement.

The Water Authority operates in a dynamic public-sector environment, and this role requires an individual who is highly engaged, collaborative, and well-versed in regional water issues. The incumbent regularly participates in industry conferences, technical committees, and regional coordination efforts to remain current on emerging trends, regulatory developments, and best practices in water management.

This position also serves as a primary technical representative to internal and external audiences. The incumbent prepares and delivers presentations to the Board of Directors, member agencies, community groups, and professional organizations, translating complex engineering, planning, and policy information into clear, actionable insights that support informed decision-making.

As a key member of the department’s leadership team, the role includes comprehensive management of staff, including supervision of technical personnel, development of annual work plans, employee development and training, and mentorship to support high-performing teams. The successful candidate will foster collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence across all program areas.

Together, these responsibilities make this position essential to advancing the Water Authority’s mission of providing a safe, reliable water supply through strategic planning, sound engineering, and effective program administration.

This class is responsible for planning, assigning, monitoring, coordinating and evaluating the work of professional and technical staff in the Water Resources Department. Supervision of functions and staff is exercised either directly or through subordinate supervisors. Assignments are typically received in the form of general instructions and objectives from the Director of Water Resources requiring the application of extensive knowledge and independent judgment and initiative in coordinating program activities. This is an at-will senior-management level position and serves at the pleasure of the Water Authority.

• Manage and direct the development, implementation and evaluation of planning standards, policies, systems, procedures and priorities to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
• Direct, coordinate and evaluate the performance of assigned staff and provide coaching for performance improvement and development; take action to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the Water Authority’s personnel rules, policies and labor contract provisions.
• Provide day-to-day leadership to ensure a high performing work environment and coordinate with the department director to develop and retain highly competent, customer service-oriented staff.
• Direct, develop and participate in the preparation of highly complex water resources programs, studies and reports and formulate policy initiatives relative to water resources.
• Participate on Boards and technical committees for statewide and national advocacy groups.
• Represent the Water Authority to consultants, contractors, the public and to the media.

For further details regarding the duties and responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for this class specification, please click on the following link: Water Resources Manager.

The Water Authority has embraced a hybrid work schedule to offer employees flexibility and work-life balance. An option to telework up to 3 days per week and work onsite 2 days per week is available for this position. Employees authorized to telework must be able to report to Water Authority facilities as needed, depending on the operational needs of the department and/or area of assignment. Additionally, employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. While onboarding and training, the successful candidate may be required to work primarily onsite before establishing a hybrid work schedule.

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in natural or physical sciences, economics, natural resources management, urban or regional planning, civil or environmental engineering, public administration, or a closely related field supplemented by ten years of increasingly responsible professional water resources experience, including two years at the level of the Water Authority’s Principal Water Resources Specialist class or equivalent.

To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Monday, September 7, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire. All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. The selection process may consist of an appraisal interview, writing exercise, and/or other appropriate screening devices.

Exam Schedule: Application Deadline: September 7, 2026; Panel Interview Date: September 18, 2026; Department Interview Date: October 5, 2026.

To ensure timely and successful navigation, please consider applying early if you are new to the governmentjobs.com application system. For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at (855) 524-5627. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.

The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin.

The San Diego County Water Authority welcomes veterans or transitioning military. If you have questions whether your Military Occupational Specialties or rating qualifies you for a job opening, please visit TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VETERANS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN WATER on the Water Authority’s regional workforce development website, SanDiegoWaterWorks.org. Applicants may also explore how their military experience aligns with civilian roles by using the Military Skills Translator at https://www.military.com/mst/mos-translator.

Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.