The Western Municipal Water District ("Western Water") vision is to integrate the best-in-business processes and business systems while developing a leading-edge workforce that continuously creates greater efficiency and value for our customers.
About Western Water
- Western Water is one of the largest public agencies in Riverside County providing water and sewer services to nearly one million people; and
- We see ourselves as more of a business than a bureaucracy; and
- We view our customers as an essential partner in ensuring long-term water security for our region; and
- Together, the Western Water team is focused on being the definitive leader in water and sewer services, upholding the highest level of stakeholder trust.
- Western Water was awarded the Top Workplace Award for 2023. The Top Workplace Award recognizes organizations that excel in creating a positive working environment for their employees. This award is based on employee feedback regarding various aspects like workplace culture, values, leadership, compensation, benefits, and work-life balance.
Western Water’s values include:
- Service Excellence
- Efficiency
- Water Supply Reliability
- Fiscal Responsibility and Value
- Public Trust, Accountability and Transparency
- Environmental Stewardship
- Employee Empowerment
- Innovation
Western Municipal Water District ("Western Water") is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to nearly one million customers across Riverside County. As one of the region's largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.
Our Engineering Department plays a pivotal role in realizing Western Water's vision of being the definitive leader in our industry, upholding the public trust through exceptional performance and customer-centricity. Composed of 21 talented professionals across three distinct sections (Regulatory Compliance, Development Services, and Capital Improvements), the department is responsible for overseeing infrastructure projects, ensuring regulatory adherence, and providing expert guidance to support optimal decision-making across the enterprise.
THE POSITION
Western Water is seeking a Deputy Director of Engineering to serve as second-in-command to the Director, providing strategic advice, staff development, and day-to-day operational leadership to achieve our ambitious goals. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Deputy Director will have direct supervisory responsibility for the three section heads (Regulatory Compliance, Development Services, Capital Improvements), while also partnering with the Director's administrative assistant on departmental budgeting, scheduling and communications.
Key priorities for the Deputy Director include:
- Overseeing the execution of critical Capital Improvement Program projects to enhance the reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of Western's water/wastewater infrastructure with an annual budget of about $20 to $25 million.
- Streamlining the Development Services process to accelerate new connections without compromising long-term system resilience and efficiency while insuring that development pays for development.
- Ensuring that Western Water complies with all laws and regulations to protect the environment.
- Implementing best practices and innovative technology solutions to optimize department productivity and integration.
- Mentoring and developing the leadership capabilities of section heads and high-potential individual contributors.
- Modeling and cultivating a collaborative, customer-centric culture that embodies Western's values.
This is an Exempt At-Will, single-position classification. The Deputy Director of Engineering performs a full range of executive level functions and reports to the Director of Engineering.
The position duties are administrative/managerial and highly complex in nature, involving highly technical functions. The incumbent has broad management authority for the day-to-day operations of the Engineering Department, ensuring activities are consistent with the mission of the organization and Western Water's strategic plan, as well as functional authority/responsibility for overseeing technical engineering activities related to drinking water, wastewater and recycled water.
The Deputy Director classification reports to the Director of Engineering and may act as the Director of Engineering in his/her absence. The Deputy Director of Engineering exercises direct supervision over assigned management, supervisory, professional, technical and administrative support personnel.
District employees are expected to work overtime, weekends, evenings and holidays as required to accommodate Western Water's needs, in addition to responding as a Disaster Emergency Service Worker.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE 
The ideal candidate is an experienced engineering leader with a proven track record of managing high-performing teams in a complex utility environment. In addition to technical expertise, you bring exceptional emotional intelligence, communication skills, and a talent for building productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders both between departments within Western Water and throughout the many agencies that we work with and support.
As a people leader, you share our Engineering Director's philosophy that an empowered team is the key to delivering outstanding results. You know how to create psychological safety, inspire your people with a compelling purpose, and invest in their ongoing growth. You'll provide both challenge and support, while consistently recognizing great work.
Your collaborative mindset and commitment to transparency will be key to partnering effectively with the Engineering Director and peer leaders across Western Water. You'll serve as a trusted advisor on critical engineering decisions and an ambassador for the department's priorities. Like the Engineering Director, you believe directly interacting with and mentoring staff and will be a visible presence for both your team and customers.
Personal Competencies/Characteristics
- A relationship-builder who is proactive in establishing and leveraging partnerships with key community stakeholders and other partner agencies.
- A skilled manager with a heightened awareness of community and constituent issues and political sensitivities.
- Open, approachable, and action-oriented; exercises good judgment; treats others with respect.
- Collaborative approach to working with others; able to bring people together and leverage common interests to perpetuate the goals of Western Water.
- Outstanding facilitation and leadership skills.
- A self-starter who exhibits high initiative and a strong work ethic; embraces the opportunity to make a difference.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical or related discipline); Master's degree preferred
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in the state of California
- 8+ years of progressively responsible engineering experience in the water/wastewater industry, including 4+ years of management experience
- Proven success leading multi-disciplinary teams and overseeing complex capital projects
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting to diverse audiences
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving and analytical abilities
- Passion for developing people and fostering an inclusive, high-performing culture
- Knowledge of industry best practices, trends and emerging technologies
- Experience with local, state and federal regulatory requirements for utility operations
To Be Considered
Along with the application, please submit a compelling cover letter and comprehensive resume that speaks to your interest in Western Water's mission and how your background aligns with the key qualifications we're seeking in a Deputy Director of Engineering. In your cover letter, please share your perspective on the evolving role of water utilities and how you would approach building public trust in an era of increasing resource challenges.
Western Water is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.
Candidate review will begin immediately upon receipt of application materials.