Salary Range: $149,154.56 - $226,257.20

Application Deadline: Open until filled, first review set for December 5, 2022.

Deputy Director – Wastewater Management – Environmental Services Department

The Department

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José. ESD’s mission is to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment, and economy.

To learn more about ESD, follow @sjenvironment on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and San José Environmental Services on LinkedIn.

The Division

The Wastewater Management Division is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the San José-Santa Clara Regional Wastewater Facility (RWF), the largest advanced wastewater treatment facility in California. It treats wastewater from over 1.7 million residents that live and work in a 300-square mile area including the cities of San José, Santa Clara, Milpitas, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Monte Sereno, and parts of unincorporated Burbank Sanitary District and Santa Clara County (Sanitation Districts 2-3). Not only does the RWF protect public health in Silicon Valley; it also protects the fish and wildlife in the San Francisco Bay.

Originally constructed in 1956 as a 36 million-gallon-per-day (MGD) primary-only treatment plant, the RWF has grown over the past 66 years in both capacity and technology to keep pace with an expanding service area, population increases, and changing regulations. The RWF has a rated capacity of 167 MGD and currently treats an average of 110 MGD.

The RWF provides primary, secondary (modified Biological Nutrient Removal), and tertiary (filtration) treatment. Over the last ten years, the RWF has easily maintained NPDES permit compliance, earning four Platinum Awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies.

The Position

The Deputy Director of Wastewater Operations reports directly to the Director of Environmental Services and supervises approximately 200 employees. Under administrative direction, the position performs work of considerable difficulty planning, organizing, and directing major functional areas of this department. Typical duties of the position include:

• Participates in and advises the Director in the planning and formulation of departmental policy
• Provides direct supervision over the operations of the Wastewater Treatment Plant
• Directs and performs special projects and strategic planning programs that impact departmental operations
• Represents the Department Director in a variety of interdepartmental, intergovernmental, and community matters and may assume responsibility for the department’s operations in the absence of the Director
• Plans, directs, counsels, provides guidelines, and reviews accomplishments of staff as steps towards achievement of departmental goals and objectives
• Directs and participates in the preparation, implementation, and control of a department’s operating budget
• Provides staff support to the Mayor and City Council members on an assigned or as needed basis
• Coordinates with other divisions and departments within the City to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of departmental operations
• Directs and controls personnel-related matters within assigned area
• Collaborates with the Deputy Director of the RWF’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and provides input and support toward the planning, design, and implementation of the CIP

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:  

• An entrepreneurial spirit and positive demeanor
• Willingness to collaborate inside and outside the organization
• Appreciation for employees and ability to support their professional development
• Empowering management approach
• Open and accessible style that encourages staff participation and involvement in decision-making
• Experience as a team builder, staff motivator, and morale builder
• Ability to assess good talent and delegate effectively
• Proven negotiating skills and ability to foster effective working relationships with regulatory agencies
• Ability to work effectively in a political environment (politically astute, yet apolitical)
• Flexibility and adaptability, with a demonstrated ability to learn and run new systems
• Awareness of current trends and best practices in the profession
• Ability to design and implement long range/strategic plans
• Proactive approach to addressing challenges and priorities
• Sound budget management skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Dedication to maintaining open lines of communication with staff and senior management
• Highest level of ethical standards

Education & Experience

Requirements for the position include:

• Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, chemistry, biology, engineering, business or public administration, or related field
• Six (6) years of increasingly responsible senior level experience in a public or private agency dealing with wastewater
• Certification as a Grade V Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in the State of California (highly desirable)

Compensation & Benefits

The total salary range for the Deputy Director classification is $149,154.56 - $226,257.20. This amount includes an approximate five percent (5%) ongoing non-pensionable pay. Actual salary shall be determined by the final candidate’s qualifications and experience.

For more information on employee benefits, visit the City’s Human Resources Benefits website: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/human-resources/benefits

Federal Law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in the country. Please be informed that the City of San José will not sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa that requires an employee application.

Per the City’s COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, the City requires all employees starting on or after February 11, 2022, to provide proof of vaccination as a condition of employment absent a documented medical and/or religious exemption. Proof of vaccination means that employees are required to be “up-to-date” with regards to the COVID-19 vaccine. Consistent with the Santa Clara County Public Health Order issued on December 28, 2021, "up-to-date" means that employees are required to be vaccinated with the entire recommended initial series of a COVID-19 vaccine (two doses of the Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax COVID-19 vaccine or a single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.

Application Process

To view the full job announcement, please go to Executive Opportunities at: www.sanjoseca.gov/citycareers

This recruitment is open until filled. The first application review date is tentatively scheduled for December 5, 2022. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of December 12, 2022. To be considered for this challenging and rewarding career opportunity, please immediately submit your cover letter and resume (including dates of employment, plus staff and budgets managed), to:

Linda Charfauros

City of San José

Environmental Services Department

Email: linda.charfauros@sanjoseca.gov

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer

About City of San José - Environmental Services

The Environmental Services Department (ESD) is a national leader in pollution prevention, watershed protection, utility service provision, and climate action. Together, ESD employees positively impact every resident and business in San José. ESD’s mission is to deliver world-class utility services and programs to improve our health, environment, and economy.

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