Director of Engineering and Operations

Salary : $205,383.36 - $249,616.64 Annually
Location : Chula Vista, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2025-00122
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 03/10/2025
Closing Date: Continuous

Description

• Function as a Department Head responsible for planning, directing, organizing, supervising, and reviewing the activities of the Sweetwater Authority (Authority) Engineering and Distribution Departments.
• Responsible to oversee the District's Grade 5 State Water Distribution System.
• Provide direction and assistance to professional and technical staff.

Department: Engineering and Distribution

Disclaimer:
The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Supervision Received/Exercised:

• General direction and supervision is provided by the General Manager.
• Responsibilities include direct supervision of Engineering Managers, Office Assistants, Distribution Managers, and general supervision of other department staff

Examples of Duties/Responsibilities

General -

• Serve as Department Head, referring policy-level decision making to the Assistant General Manager or General Manager.
• Supervise staff: Establish and advise staff of performance standards; ensure staff is trained; observe and prepare supporting documentation; conduct performance review presentations; ensure that employees follow policies and procedures; provide support, mentoring, and coaching for performance improvement and development; recommend employee recognition and disciplinary action, up to and including termination, in accordance with established personnel rules, policies, and labor contract provisions.
• Develop and implement department goals, objectives, operating policies and procedures to achieve Authority and departmental priorities.

• Prioritize and assign work and modify work assignments of employees in accordance with departmental needs
• Supervise and participate in the preparation, maintenance and administration of master plans, capital improvement plans and budgets.
• Develop, implement, maintain, and enforce policies and regulatory requirements affecting the department.

• Develop and Implement departmental budget and annual work plan; provide periodic status reports as directed by Management.
• Assist in resolving work problems and interpret policies to subordinates, other departments and the public.
• Respond to citizen and contractor inquiries and complaints.
• Prepare a variety of reports, correspondence and special studies
• Represent the Authority at a variety of meetings within and outside the organization; prepare and deliver oral presentations as required.

• Inspect work in progress and upon completion.
• Develop and implement departmental disaster preparedness plans and the response of the Authority to emergencies
• Participate in the Authority's Emergency Preparedness Program and respond to the Emergency Operations Center when established.
• Procure, manage, and administer service and maintenance contracts.
• Coordinate, manage, and oversee suppliers and contractors.
• Guide and direct personnel in supervisory functions, program implementation, and problem solving; provide staff support to assigned committees and other groups.
• Coordinate with the Human Resources office on the recruitment process.
• Coordinate and prepare request for proposals including evaluating and selecting consultants.
• Negotiate complex agreements. Prepare, review, and interpret agreements and contracts and prepare for signature.

• Attend Board and Committee meetings, prepare reports, make presentations and render advice to the Board as required.

• Maintain a positive, healthy, and safe working environment.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, customers, vendors, Board members, and the public.
• Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Specific Duties Include -

• Supervise, coordinate and review all engineering activities; determine scope of projects; review plans of private contractors; make technical engineering recommendations and decisions; and establish technical criteria and standards.
• Coordinate Engineering planning and design activities with other Authority departments, divisions and sections, and with outside utilities and governmental agencies.
• Supervise, coordinate and review surveying, mapping, plan check, contract administration, construction inspection and inspection activities.
• Confer with contractors and engineers regarding proposals, specifications, project challenges, and water utility facility requirements.
• Review, approve and sign engineering drawings.
• Review proposed private developments and conditions of approval.

• Coordinate and resolve conflicts with design and construction projects received from other utilities and governmental agencies.
• Confer with other internal staff, contractors, and engineers in resolving design changes including coordination to conduct field investigations.
• Manage the monitoring and reporting of Sweetwater and Loveland Dams as required by the State of California, Division of Safety of Dams.
• Plan, prioritize, direct, organize, monitor, and administer the work related to the distribution system including: Utility maintenance, water system operations, construction activities, fleet maintenance, warehouse and Operations Center facilities management.

• Administer, maintain, and inventory newly purchased fleet, heavy equipment, and other gas powered equipment (assets) in order to document each individual asset for the purpose of managing the location, use, and life expectancy of Authority assets.
• Estimate manpower and equipment requirements for projects to meet service delivery goals.

Typical Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of civil engineering and water resources.
• Principles, practices, equipment, materials, and standards involved in the repair of water systems, monitoring, control and dispatching, and the construction and maintenance of pipeline systems, warehouse, service roads, facilities maintenance and related structures.

• Engineering and construction principles, practices, and terminology as applied to the pipeline system.

• Principles of asset management and fleet management.
• Principles and practices of land surveying and mapping.
• Record keeping and report writing.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration including strategic planning, budget and personnel management.
• Principles of leadership, supervision, training, and evaluation.
• Investigation, design and construction of water works projects.
• Applicable laws and regulatory codes related to development and construction of water facilities.
• Recent developments, current literature and sources of information regarding civil engineering.
• Local and statewide water delivery systems.

• Public relations techniques.

• Applicable safety precautions and procedures including safe operation of construction equipment.
• California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

• Computer technology as it relates to systems monitoring, fleet maintenance, water dispatching, and general office practice.
• Computer programs and software, such as Microsoft Office, Maximo, and infraMAP applications, as it relates to systems monitoring, scheduling, and estimating fleet maintenance, water dispatching, and general office practice.

• Modern office procedures and practices, equipment, and clerical techniques.
• Proper English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• Manage the programs, services, and Department staff effectively and efficiently.
• Develop and implement goals and objectives; policies and procedures; work standards and management controls.

• Supervise, motivate, train and evaluate professional and technical subordinates.
• Prepare engineering plans and specifications.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and schedule available resources to meet program and service goals.
• Analyze, develop, revise, and improve work methods and standards.
• Supervise the preparation of engineering records and prepare comprehensive technical reports.

• Read and interpret blueprints, schematic drawings, specifications, and technical manuals.

• Conduct studies, analyze data, draw sound conclusions from data and prepare reports of findings and recommendations.

• Prepare and deliver oral presentations within and outside the organization.

• Read, understand, interpret and apply rules and regulations to specific situations.
• Develop and administer a budget.
• Create and maintain highly technical documents using Excel spreadsheet or similar computer-based program.
• Perform complex calculations with speed and accuracy.
• Prepare economic and cost analysis related to capital project alternatives and water resources.
• Exercise tact and deal effectively with officials and representatives of other jurisdictions, departments and the general public.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Keyboard proficiently.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Use interpersonal skills effectively as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Education/Training/Experience (positions in this class typically require):
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Civil Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration or a closely related field.
• Twelve (12) years of increasingly responsible supervisory/managerial-level experience in professional engineering involving the design and construction of a variety of water agency facilities and projects.
• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible administrative, supervisory, and managerial-level experience in the operation and maintenance of a complex water distribution system involving substantial planning, scheduling, and supervisory authority.

Licenses/Certifications - Required Conditions of Employment:

• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver License.
• Maintain an acceptable, safe, and active driving record, together with proof of insurability.
• Possess a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.

Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions:

• Hear normal conversation in person and on the telephone.
• Mobility of arms to reach, and the dexterity of hands to grasp and manipulate small objects and to write legibly.
• Visual ability (which may be corrected) to read small print and video messages, including good peripheral vision and depth perception.
• Speak in a normal voice; able to be heard and understood on the telephone, in person, and to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Sit or stand for prolonged periods of time.
• Mobility to stand, stoop and bend.
• Use office equipment such as personal computers, copiers and fax machines.
• Operate standard passenger vehicles.
• Lift, carry, push or pull up to thirty-five (35) pounds.
• Keyboarding for extended periods of time.
• Fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) as required per standard operating procedures (SOP).
• Climb ladders and stairs on water storage tanks and facilities.
• Exposure to dust, temperature, inclement weather, and alternating noise levels.

Working Hours:
Flex Schedule: Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM (9/80); Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, and every other Friday off or, as assigned by the supervisor.

Other Conditions
It is important that incumbents in this position maintain a professional and businesslike image to the public at all times:

• A neat, clean and pressed appearance in clothing, hair and personal hygiene is important every day.
• Good judgment is expected in determining proper dress and appearance.
• All facial hair must be kept neat and trimmed.

Supplemental Information

The initial review of applications will take place on April 11, 2025.
01

Are you 18 or older?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you able to work Full Time?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have at least a High School Diploma or G.E.D.?

• Yes
• No

04

If hired, can you provide proof of your legal right to work in the U.S.?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess a Driver License?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess a Certificate of Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Civil Engineering?

• Yes
• No

08

Please list any Certifications and Licenses that you possess that are relevant to this position.
Required Question