Deputy Director, Operations & Maintenance - Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance
Coachella Valley Water District Palm Desert, California, United States
- Location: Palm Desert, California, United States
- Categories: Administration and Management, Building Maintenance, Other, Sanitation and Solid Waste
- Job Type: Full Time
- Posted: Nov 13, 2025
Job Description:
Deputy Director, Operations & Maintenance - Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance
Description
Job SummaryDeputy Director, Operations & Maintenance - Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance
Annual Salary: $187,092 - $246,252 DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package.
This position will be open until filled, with a first resume review date of December 12, 2025.
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The Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is seeking a Deputy Director of Operations & Maintenance (Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance) , who will be responsible for overseeing multiple essential operational divisions, including wastewater treatment plants, collections, control, stormwater protection, canal maintenance and construction, and fleet management. Reporting directly to the Assistant General Manager, this position plays a pivotal role in ensuring the District’s critical infrastructure operates safely, efficiently, and sustainably in service to the community.
The Deputy Director leads, plans, organizes, and manages all functions within the assigned branches, developing and executing both short- and long-term strategies aligned with CVWD’s mission and Strategic Plan. This includes overseeing capital improvement projects, managing complex budgets, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving operational excellence across diverse technical disciplines.
This role also serves as a key advisor to the Assistant General Manager and the Board of Directors, providing expert insight on operational policies, resource planning, and strategic initiatives. The Deputy Director is expected to foster strong collaboration across departments, build partnerships with external agencies and stakeholders, and represent the District in regional and industry forums.
As an executive leader, the Deputy Director provides direction and mentorship to a highly skilled team of managers, supervisors, and technical professionals, cultivating a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. The position also plays a vital role in modernizing operations, introducing innovative technologies, and ensuring the long-term reliability and resilience of the District’s wastewater and maintenance systems.
This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced and forward-thinking leader who combines deep technical expertise with strong management and strategic planning skills to help guide one of California’s premier water districts into the future.
TITLE: Deputy Director, Operations & Maintenance - Sanitation and Facilities Maintenance
SRN U28: $15,591 - $20,521 Monthly, Exempt
Non-Represented/At-Will/Confidential
Department: Operations
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
Reports to: Receives supervisory and policy direction from the Assistant General Manager.
Supervises the following positions: Exercises direct supervision over senior management, professional, technical, and administrative staff through subordinate levels of department management.
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 evaluations Testing/ Assessments Oral Interview(s)
DEFINITION
Under direction of the Assistant General Manager, the Deputy Director leads, plans, organizes, integrates, directs, manages, and evaluates the activities of Operations and Maintenance branches encompassing multiple divisions, including wastewater treatment plants (WRPs), collections, control, stormwater protection, canal maintenance and construction, and fleet management. Directs and manages the development of short and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the Strategic Plan and ensures their effective execution; ensures all assigned operations and functions serve the needs of the District, while complying with applicable laws and regulations. Participates in Board of Directors and related meetings; and performs related duties as assigned.
Essential Functions
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations where appropriate so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of assigned branches which encompasses multiple divisions including maintenance, water and wastewater operations, interprets District policies, and applicable laws and regulations, and ensures services comply with the policies and strategic direction set by the Assistant General Manager, General Manager, Board of Directors, and mandated regulations.
- Advises and confers with the Assistant General Manager on division programs and internal and external matters.
- With assigned senior management, directs the development, implementation, and evaluation of short-term and long-term District-wide goals and objectives, plans, programs, projects, policies, and systems focused on achieving the District’s mission and Strategic Plan.
- Provides expert advice and informs the Assistant General Manager on matters related to assigned branches, including personnel, resources, and budget. Assists the Assistant General Manager in identifying, articulating, and implementing District policies, programs, and projects to meet community and customer needs.
- Participates as needed in closed sessions with the District’s Board of Directors.
- Directs the development of assigned branches operating and capital improvement budgets; monitors implementation of adopted budgets.
- Selects, motivates, and directs department management staff; plans and evaluates performance of assigned managers and staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with branch standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; takes disciplinary action to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with the District’s personnel rules, policies, and strategic initiatives.
- Provides strategic leadership and works with executive and management team members to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment, consistent with sound management principles and District mission and values.
- Analyzes proposed state and federal laws, regulations, and court decisions for their impact on District practices and operations within assigned areas of responsibility; recommends and implements policy and procedure changes consistent with requirements.
- Reviews, evaluates, and recommends approval and/or modification of plans for water and facility projects prepared by District staff and consulting engineers; recommends and coordinates design changes, where appropriate; participates in major negotiations with contractors, consultants, vendors, and other public agencies.
- Participates in assessing regional, industry, District service area, community, and customer needs, and ensures branch and departmental objectives and priorities are focused on meeting those needs effectively, efficiently, and with high quality services.
- Coordinates the preparation of analyses and recommendations regarding policy issues and long-range plans to address District service area needs.
- Administers the provision of resources for the effective and efficient operation and control of facilities, finances, personnel, and equipment.
- Participates in industry and intergovernmental activities to influence legislative and regulatory change consistent with the district’s interests and needs; analyzes proposed legislation and recommends options for the District’s position on legislative matters affecting the branch’s operations.
- Represents the District as requested or assigned in dealings with partner agencies in the District’s service area, and with other industry and governmental agencies, and professional organizations.
- Participates in regional, state, and national water, water reclamation, and other professional meetings and conferences to stay abreast of trends and technology related to District operations in assigned areas of accountability.
- May act for the Assistant General Manager in their absence.
- Ensures staff observe and comply with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Assists in negotiating agreements and contracts and acts as a Hearing Officer during confidential grievance employee hearings.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
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 business, water management, engineering, or a related field.
Experience:
- Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of a water system facilities and appurtenances, with five (5) years at a senior/executive management capacity.
Licenses and Certifications:
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment.
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 https://www.cvwd.org/176/Benefits .