Utility Services Manager

Salary: $157,092.97 - $196,365.25 Annually
Location : San Diego, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 00305
Department: Operations
Division: Operations Chief
Opening Date: 12/09/2025

General Duties
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be resourceful and self-directed, have strong management skills in water system construction and repairs, have outstanding organizational skills needed to manage the activities of several sections, as well as the ability to provide complex administrative support to senior staff.

The ideal candidate should also possess the following Personal Characteristics, Skill, and Experience: Professional and Highly Competent - Business, Customer, and Result-Oriented - An Experienced Manager - Critical/Strategic Thinker - Able to Consistently and Accurately Interpret Policies, Procedures, and Ordinances - Analytical - Possess Excellent Oral and Written Communication Skills - Honest and Ethical - Know and Understand Basic Business Finance and Accounting Principles - A Visionary and Leader - Well Organized - Flexible and Adaptable - A Team Player - Able to Work with Diverse Groups including the Public.

We welcome veterans and transitioning military. Consider joining a team of hardworking employees who work to protect and preserve water, one of our most valuable natural resources. The experience you've gained during your service can continue to positively impact the world with a career at Otay.

The Otay Water District offers excellent benefits, a balanced work/life environment and is a leader in the industry.

About the Position and Department
This position is a part of the Operations Department and reports directly to the Chief of Water Operations. The Utility Services Manager is part of a dedicated, service-oriented team where collaboration and leadership are promoted at all levels. The position is responsible for managing the activities of the Utility Maintenance, Pump/Electrical, and Fleet Maintenance Sections and providing complex administrative support to the Chief of Water Operations and other executive staff.

The Operations Department is responsible for the operations, maintenance and repair of all Otay Water District facilities and equipment. Facilities include pipelines, reservoirs, pump stations, lift stations, and a reclamation plant for potable and recycles water distribution, wastewater collections, and wastewater reclamation. The Operations Department has approximately 57 employees.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by January 11, 2026. For information on the recruitment process, please go to the Employment section of our website or click here
Examples of Duties

• Plans, directs, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of supervisory, professional, technical, and support staff assigned to perform functions of the sections. Including periodic field checks of work in progress.
• Participates in the development of and directs and monitors the implementation of section and department goals, objectives and measures to include the District's Strategic Plan and Performance Measures.
• Develops budgetary recommendations and monitors revenues and expenditures for assigned sections and recommends or makes appropriate adjustments.
• Serves as liaison for the section with other District departments, outside agencies and private firms and documents, negotiates, and resolves issues.
• Prepares executive level reports, presentations, summaries and correspondence. Participates in committee and Board meetings.
• Develops, trains, models, and enforces safe work procedures and practices for the sections and Department.
• Participates effectively in conducting timely and thorough investigations of employee incidents to ensure that Incident Reports are fully completed.
• Reviews and evaluates the condition, operation, and maintenance of fleet vehicles and heavy construction equipment and makes recommendations for rehabilitation and/or replacement.
• Ensures compliance with environmental requirements related to wastewater collection system, including the implementation and execution of the District's Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) program and Sewer System Management Plan.
• Reviews records and technical data to ensure proper operational controls are maintained in order to meet regulatory requirements.
• Participates in the review and evaluation of design, plan and specification of new facilities and existing facilities.
• Participates in the District's Asset Management program including condition assessments of the District assets and infrastructure, to include condition assessment functions and lifecycle management of assets and infrastructure.
• Listens, documents, responds to and resolves citizen complaints.
• Ensures compliance with all District rules, regulations, and procedures to include adherence to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
• Advises the Department Chief and other senior staff on relevant issues.
• Responds to emergencies as required.
• Drives a vehicle as required in performance of assigned duties.

For the complete job description, go to the Employment section of our website or click here

Required Licenses and/or Certifications

• A valid California Class C Driver's License and safe driving record.
• A valid Water Distribution Certificate as issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board desired.
• A valid Collection System Certificate as issued by the California Water Environment Association Certification (CWEA) desired.

Minimum Experience, Education, and Training Requirements
Experience:

Seven (7) years of experience in construction, and/or maintenance of water distribution/ reclamation/collection facilities or other similar types of facilities such as buildings, storm drains, bridges, roadways, and pipelines, of which two (2) years should be of related supervisory experience.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in civil engineering, construction management, public administration, business administration or a closely related field.

This is an exempt position not eligible for overtime.
Otay Water District is a Smoking, Tobacco and Nicotine Free Campus.
All Otay Water District employees are at-will pursuant to California Water Code.
Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments.

Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year.

Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year.

Management Leave: 6 days/year.

Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays.

Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks.

PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013, are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions:
New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation to a maximum of the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.
  • • District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary toward the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013, or who have reciprocity with CalPERS):

• Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation.
• Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee PERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions.

Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions. Employee contributions for the Deferred Compensation Plan will be matched dollar per dollar up to the maximum amount of $3,000 per calendar year.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s).

Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s).

Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s).

Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). The Life and AD&D insurance coverage for the employee is two times their annual salary and eligible dependents have Life insurance coverage of $1,000.

Voluntary Life Insurance: Employees may elect to cover themselves and eligible dependents for voluntary life insurance. The full cost of this insurance is paid by the employee via payroll deductions.

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance: The District provides short-term and long-term disability insurance equal to 66 2/3% of your income after a 30-day elimination period (90-day elimination period for long term disability) if totally disabled due to illness or injury.

Professional development, seminars, and conferences: The District offers these opportunities to help facilitate an employee's professional growth.

Education Reimbursement Program: Employees are eligible to receive reimbursement for District approved courses not to exceed $3,000 per fiscal year.

Employee Assistance Program: Provides confidential referrals and counseling concerning personal, family, or work-related issues for employees and their dependents.

Free Onsite Workout Facility: The District has a fully equipped exercise room for employees to use before work, after work or during lunchtime.

Yoga Classes: On-site Yoga classes are offered during the lunch hour at the employee's expense.

Retirement Benefits:
Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) effective September 1, 2024: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is an interest-bearing, employer-funded account created in your name to reimburse you tax-free in retirement for eligible medical expenses and premiums. Otay Water District makes deposits of employer contributions and mandatory employee contributions while you are employed, but you will not be able to access funds until retirement or separation of service, having met Otay Water District's vesting requirements.

Tier II Eligibility for All Full-time Regular Employees Hired On or After September 1, 2024:
All full-time, regular employees hired on or after September 1, 2024, will participate in a mandatory HRA Plan. The District and the employee will make contributions to the HRA Plan.

The District will contribute $4,000 annually to the employee's HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District for a maximum period of twenty (20) years. The employee will contribute $1,000.00 annually (or $40 per pay period for the first twenty-five (25) pay periods of the calendar year) to their HRA from their latest date of hire until they retire or terminate from the District. There is a vesting schedule for this Plan as set forth in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Otay Water District Employees Association, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027.
01

Please identify your highest level of college education COMPLETED.

• None.
• Coursework in a related or another field.
• Coursework in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Public or Business Administration.
• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Public or Business Administration.
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in a related field or another field.
• Bachelor's AND Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Public or Business Administration.

02

Do you have a valid (unexpired) Certified Construction Manager (CCM) certification issued by the Construction Management Institute (CMI)?

• No, I do not have a Certified Construction Manager certification.
• Yes, I have a valid Certified Construction Manager certification issued by CMI.

03

Which best describes the highest grade level of the VALID Water Distribution Operator Certificate that you possess as issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board?

• I do not possess a valid Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 1 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 3 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 4 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 5 Water Distribution Operator Certificate.

04

Which best describes the highest grade level of the VALID Collection System Certificate that you possess as issued by the California Water Environment Association (CWEA)?

• I do not possess a valid Collection System Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 1 Collection System Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 2 Collection System Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 3 Collection System Certificate.
• I possess a valid Grade 4 Collection System Certificate.

05

Which best describes your years of experience in construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or similar types of facilities.

• I do not have any experience with construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or other similar types of facilities.
• I have some to 3 years of experience with construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or other similar types of facilities.
• I have 4-6 years of with construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or other similar types of facilities.
• I have 7 years of with construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or other similar types of facilities.
• I have 8 or more years of experience with construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or other similar types of facilities.

06

Briefly describe your experience with construction and/or maintenance of water distribution/reclamation facilities or other similar types of facilities such as buildings, storm drains, bridges, roadways, and pipelines. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A". Please do not indicate "See Application/Resume" or your application will be considered incomplete.
07

Which best describes your supervisory experience working in an operations and maintenance or related environment:

• I do not have any supervisory experience.
• I have 1 year or less of supervisory experience.
• I have 2 years of supervisory experience.
• I have 3 or more years of supervisory experience.

08

Please describe your experience SUPERVISING/MANAGING professional and operational staff including number and types of employees supervised. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A". Please do not indicate "See Application/Resume" or your application will be considered incomplete.
09

Briefly describe your experience overseeing, directing, or providing technical guidance to staff responsible for repairing and maintaining gasoline, electric, hybrid, and diesel-powered vehicles, construction equipment, and portable or stationary engines. In your response, include the types of equipment involved, the scope of your supervisory responsibilities, and any relevant training or quality-control practices you implemented. If you do not have this experience, please indicate "N/A". Please do not indicate 'See Application/Resume" or your application will be considered incomplete.
10

Briefly explain how you have utilized prioritizing, managing and scheduling work to advance departments you have managed.
11

What else would you like to tell us that would make you a preferred candidate?
Required Question

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