Director Of Utilities

THE POSITION

The City of Sacramento, California is seeking a forward-thinking, strategic, and community-oriented Director of Utilities to lead one of California’s largest and most complex municipal utility operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, sustainability, and reliability of the City’s utility infrastructure. The Director oversees five direct reports and manages an integrated portfolio encompassing water, wastewater, storm drainage, and flood control systems. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, results-oriented leader with demonstrated expertise in utility operations, capital infrastructure planning, regulatory compliance, and driving organizational improvement. Advance infrastructure, empower teams, and lead Sacramento’s essential services, apply today!

View the full recruitment brochure here: https://indd.adobe.com/view/9528a07f-e5fc-466d-8aad-f98e310f7316

Salary & Benefits
An annual salary of $153,585 - $241,896 DOE/DOQ, PLUS an attractive benefits package.

DEFINITION

Under executive direction, the Director of Utilities supervises and administers the Department of Utilities operations; plans, directs, and reviews the activities of the Department of Utilities and provides professional and technical staff assistance; represents the City on water supply, sewer, flood protection, and drainage issues; coordinates with other departments and outside agencies; serves as member of the city’s Executive Team.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is single-position executive management classification. The Director of Utilities performs work that is highly complex and often requires intense, exacting, and broad mental attention and the ability to reason through and solve difficult problems. The incumbent provides a wide variety of administrative functions and broad policy direction to the Department of Utilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Executive direction is provided by the City Manager. The incumbent provides direct and indirect supervision to mid-level managers as well as other professional, technical, and clerical staff members. Management authority is delegated through direct report line managers that head up each of the major functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

TYPICAL DUTIES

- Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, and procedures for the Department of Utilities; plans, directs, and reviews construction, operation, and maintenance of the City's domestic water and wastewater facilities; supervises and participates in the development and implementation of the capital improvement program and operating budget.
- Plans, directs, and reviews department functions, including planning, engineering, water production, water distribution, sewer and drainage collection, and customer service.
- Acts as technical advisor to the City Manager and City Council on water supply, water quality, water conservation, and drainage and sewer issues; develops comprehensive recommendations for management; coordinates utility activities with other City departments and with outside agencies; represents the City to outside agencies at a variety of meetings.
- Reviews plans, engineering reports, budget estimates, and proposed ordinances submitted by division heads and other program managers.
- Selects, supervises, trains, and evaluates managerial, professional, technical, and clerical subordinates; evaluates and recommends professional consultants and contracts.
- Responds to difficult citizen inquiries and complaints.
- Coordinates emergency response resulting from water main breaks, sewer outflows, and flooding.
- Performs other or related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

- Principles and practices of civil engineering, potable water and wastewater treatment, sewer and drainage collection and water distribution systems.
- Environmental issues associated with water treatment and distribution, flood control, and sewer operations.
- State, Federal, and local laws and regulations relating to flood control, drainage, wastewater disposal, water supply management, and water treatment.
- Methods, materials, and techniques employed in design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water, sewer and drainage systems.
- Recent developments, current literature, and sources of information regarding water supply management, flood control, and wastewater treatment and disposal.
- Principles of organization, administration, budget, leadership, customer service, and personnel management.

Ability to:

- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, public utilities, community groups, and others.
- Evaluate plans and proposals.
- Organize, direct, and coordinate the activities of a large department.
- Delegate authority and responsibility.
- Schedule and program work on a long-term basis.
- Select, supervise, train, and evaluate subordinates.
- Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Analyze, interpret, and explain utility policies and procedures.
- Manage a large organization with multi-faceted service delivery programs (water supply, sewer, drainage and flood protection).

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

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

Experience:

Eight years of professional engineering and/or administrative experience in the field of public works, including significant experience within a large water or wastewater utility.

Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in civil engineering, public administration, environmental science, or a related field. A Master’s degree in one of the above fields is desirable.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE

HOW TO APPLY

For first consideration, apply by July 28, 2025 at : https://wbcpinc.com/job-board/

SECURE THE DATES:

Round one virtual interviews will take place on August 21. Finalists will move forward to round two in-person interviews that will take place during the Week of September 1. Selected candidates must be available for both days.

QUESTIONS?
Please contact your recruiter, Levi Kuhlman, with any inquiries:

• levi@wbcpinc.com
• 541-664-0376 (direct)
• 866-929-9227 (toll-free)

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information

Civil Service Rules: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/CivilServiceBoardRules62012.pdf

Union Contracts: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/HR/labor-agreements.html

Salary Schedule: https://www.cityofsacramento.gov/content/dam/portal/hr/documentlibrary/SalarySchedule.pdf

Closing Date/Time: 7/28/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of Sacramento

Show more