General Manager with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District

Job Description:

General Manager with the San Lorenzo Valley Water District

Description

Position Description

Are you an experienced leader, manager, and water professional who excels in providing solution-oriented results, inspiring others, and engaging in effective project management ?

Are you a self-starter who can effectively balance professional and personal attributes to successfully address organizational challenges for the short and long-term?

Are you excited to join a n organization that values collaboration, inclusion, and teamwork?

If so, the San Lore nzo Valley Water District (SLV Water ) may have an opportunity for you as their next General Manager !

Regional Government Services (RGS) and its staff are conducting the recruitment on behalf of the San Lore nzo Valley Water District .

The Opportunity
Leading the San Lorenzo Valley Water District (SLV Water) is a unique opportunity to bring together the skills of a leader, manager, and water professional to an organization that will benefit from related experience with capital projects and financial/funding expertise.

The District will be well-served by a top professional who enjoys being surrounded by towering redwoods and a close-knit, welcoming community, adjacent to Big Basin Redwoods State Park. The town offers a peaceful, small town atmosphere with access to outdoor adventures, while being just a short trip from the lively Silicon Valley. This unique blend of nature, charm, and proximity to innovation makes it an ideal place for a balanced and fulfilling work environment.

The Position

Under policy direction of the Board of Directors, the General Manager provides overall executive direction of all functions, services, and activities of the Dist rict . Th is top-level executive position is at-will and accountable to the Board of Directors for day-to-day and long-term operations and activities.

In addition to day-to-day management of the District, the General Manager represents the Board of Directors and District in various public, private, and governmental matters on a local, regional, and statewide basis.

The Ideal Candidate Will:

• Be an exceptional leader who can guide staff to consistently achieve a highly responsive and more cost-effective organization on behalf of the constituents served;
  

• Demonstrate financial acumen to ensure efficient allocation of resources including a keen understanding of ratemaking, rate studies, and the impacts of Prop 128 on public utility charges;
  

• Have strong analytical abilities which are essential for assessing infrastructure conditions, forecasting capital needs with associated costs, and making recommendations to the Board with the anticipation of more than $100 million in capital projects related to fire and/or flood damage, system replacements and upgrades over the next 5-6 years;
  

• Communicate proficiently, both orally and in writing, to enable effective collaboration with stakeholders from community members, including advocacy groups to regional and statewide government agencies;
  

• Approachable management style that will encourage input from a variety of sources;
  

• Exhibit adaptability to navigate unpredictable changes and seize opportunities for improvement, seek grant funding (including FEMA reimbursements), and explore potential for shared services;
  

• Blend a strategic mindset combined with the technical expertise to develop long-term plans for infrastructure improvements and address deferred on-going maintenance;
  

• Embrace innovation and build a culture within the organization that encourages new ideas and leads to continuous improvement of systems, procedures, and administrative functions including use of technology;
  

• Monitor state and federal legislation and determine the direct impact to the District operations and fiscal impact;
  

• Embody a “call-to-action” mindset and high-level of responsiveness to address urgent and emergency situations due to wildfires, flooding, and debris flows;
  

• Possess a deep commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship;
  

• Focus on enhancing transparency and accountability in all District operations.
  

COMPETENCIES

• Accountability: Is accountable and takes responsibility for the decisions and actions of their teams and direct reports when appropriate .
  

• Flexibility: Works through situations involving ambiguity or setbacks by systematically evaluating options and establishing appropriate action plans .
  

• Collaboration: Works well in cross-functional teams comprising members of various teams, departments, or agencies .
  

• Communication: Models interpersonal communication that invites participation and future dialogue .
  

• Conflict Management: Manages conflict with others in ways that preserve good relationships including understanding of one's own role in the conflict.
  

• Creativity and Innovation: Collaborates with team and organizational leaders to generate unique ideas and to make connections among previously unrelated notions.
  

• Inclusiveness: Understands diversity issues and creates a supportive environment for diverse coworkers, employees, and the community.
  

• Interpersonal Relations and Skills: Facilitates dialogue to gain agreement using sound rationale to explain value of actions.
  

• Leadership: Understands formal and informal power and influence structure within the organization and successfully achieves positive, desired outcomes.
  

• Management and Supervision: Creates a work environment in which people are enabled to perform to the best of their abilities.
  

• Organizational Development: Develops contingency plans for potential problems.
  

• Problem Solving: Collaborates effectively with others (team members, peers, consultants, mentors, contractors, etc.) to solve problems and develop solutions that are easily sustainable.
  

• Professional and Technical Expertise: Applies technical subject matter to the job.
  

• Strategic Perspective : Evaluates immediate actions in the context of achieving long range objectives .
  

About the District

Established in 1941, the SLV Water District supplies water in the San Lorenzo Valley to the communities of Boulder Creek, Brookdale, Ben Lomond, Lompico , Zayante, Scotts Valley, Manana Woods, and Felton. Through a network of distribution lines, pump stations, and reservoirs the District has more than 7,900 connections serving a total population of approximately 23,700 residents of Santa Cruz County, California.

Beginning its journey from deep water wells or from one of the District’s state -of-the-art Surface Water Treatment Plants, these areas receive water through a network of water lines totaling more than 185 miles. Operated with the assistance of a SCADA system, the Operations Department can monitor and control all aspects of water production, treatment, and distribution from almost anywhere .

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is a special district governed by a five-person Board of Directors elected to four-year terms by registered voters within the District’s boundaries. The Board of Directors are responsible for the establishment of policy relative to the District’s mission, goals, and operations.

The District’s budgeted head count for FY 23-24 is 31 full-time employees in various positions with an overall enterprise budget of $28.4M, with $9.5M being operating expenses, $11.8M capital expenditures, and $2.2M debt related .

Examples of Duties

Responsibilities of the General Manager include:

• Provide overall executive direction and management of District staff including organizing and assigning responsibilities, establishing the organization’s work culture and framework for accountability, and overseeing all administrative (non-technical) aspects.
  

• Direct the District’s fiscal and administrative matters, including guiding the annual budget process, establishing rates and fees, accounting, customer service, personnel, long-range C apital I mprovement planning, and fiscal resources.
  

• Direct the District’s engineering, operations, maintenance, planning, and watershed activities.
  

• Direct and, where appropriate , represent SLV Water District on inter-agency projects, relationships, and shared regulatory concerns with interregional and statewide partner organizations.
  

• Working in collaboration with the Board, direct the establishment of an overall strategic plan and long-term goal and objectives , including capital improvement planning.
  

• Keep the Board informed of District activities and of laws, issues, or problems that may affect District operations; request policy and related actions from the Board; direct the preparation of materials for the Board and attend all Board meetings.
  

• Provide guidance and direction to management staff on issues related to general management of their functions, policies and procedures, finance, inter and intra-organizational coordination, and personnel management.
  

• Provide final authority on District personnel matters, including employment and discharge of all staff, as needed, including reorganization if warranted to better serve constituents.
  

• Direct special reports, studies, and significant correspondence.
  

• Perform or oversee the monitoring and evaluation of legislation, trends, and issues affecting the District .
  

• Direct the initiation and execution of consulting and contract services and agreements.
  

• Attend Board and committee meetings.
  

Typical Qualifications

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Bachelor’s degree is required with an emphasis in business or public administration, civil engineering, or a related field being highly preferred. Advance degree in a related technical area may be considered a plus if directly related to the services provided.
  

AND

• Five (5) years of increasingly responsible upper-level management experience in water treatment and distribution at a public utility, water/utility district, or within a public works department of a public agency.
  

• Specific experience in the general area or greater region in Northern California will be beneficial although all highly qualified professionals with experience in California will be given due consideration by the District .
  

• Additionally, this position is ideally suited for an experienced water professional currently serving as a General Manager/Department Director. Alternatively, this position is also well suited to an Assistant GM or Deputy Director who is technically oriented and ready to step up to assume the full range of responsibilities of leading and managing an organization of similar size and complexity to the SLV Water District.
  

License/Certificate:

• None required , although candidates who possess certifications or licenses specifically related to civil engineering, water resources, or another technical area of expertise in related areas will be reviewed with interest from the Board.
  

Supplemental Information

Salary and Benefits:

Salary:

• Up to $ 260 , 000 annually DOE/DO Q
  

Benefits:

The District offers a competitive benefits package:

• Retirement : CalPERS - Pension formula determined based on C A Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA)
  

• Social Security and Medicare : The City participates in these programs .
  

• Medical Benefits : CalPERS Medical, dental, and vision care for employee and eligible dependents
  

• Vacation Leave
  

• Flexible Spending Account
  

• Assigned auto (or Auto Allowance)
  

• Moving and relocation expenses are negotiable.
  

Applications must be submitted on-line through this applicant tracking system. Materials must be complete and clearly indicate the candidate meets the minimum qualifications. Incomplete, late, emailed, and faxed applications are not accepted. Resumes are not considered in lieu of the required employment application.?

Certificates, resumes, and/or cover letters must be uploaded with your online application. ?

All statements made on the application, resume, and supplemental materials are subject to verification. False statements may be cause for immediate disqualification, removal from eligibility list, or discharge from employment.

The deadline to apply is May 4 , 202 5 , at 11:59 PM PST.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Appraisal Process -? (Pass/Fail) After?the closing deadline, applications will be screened in relation to the criteria indicated in this announcement.

This process may also include various interviews and/or a skills assessment exam to rank applications and to prepare a Qualified Candidate List.

Application - Minimum Qualification Assessment -? (Pass/Fail) All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed and assessed for each applicant's ability to meet the minimum work experience, training, and education qualifications.

Remote Screen Interview Exam -? (Pass/Fail) Candidates who pass the application assessment will be invited to a Remote Screen Interview Examination to evaluate training, experience, and other job-related qualifications for the position. ?The Remote Screen Interview will be conducted via a video conference platform and is tentatively scheduled for mid- May , 202 5 .

Successful candidates will be submitted to the San Lorenzo Valley Water District for further consideration.

All communication and notices will be sent via e-mail. Additional inquiries about the position may be directed to? dprieto@rgs.ca.gov

Neither Regional Government Services nor the San Lorenzo Valley Water District are responsible for failure of internet forms or email in submitting your application. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Regional Government Services by emailing dprieto@rgs.ca.gov

The San Lorenzo Valley Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: 5/4/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$240,000.00 - $260,000.00 Annually