Appointment Type: This is a Position-Based Test conducted in accordance with CSC Rule 111A.

Application Opening: July 30, 2026
Application Deadline: August 13, 2026



Job Description

The Deputy Chief Administrative Officer (DCAO) for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission reports directly to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and provides executive-level administrative and operational support in overseeing the Professional Services Bureau. The DCAO will assist in developing and implementing strategies to align personnel, technology, and facility resources for SFPUC operational needs and strategic priorities. The DCAO has direct oversight of the Facilities Team, Fleet Management Services, Community Benefits, and the Office of the CAO.

This position regularly interacts with SFPUC leadership, Assistant General Managers, the PUC and Civil Service Commissions, Board of Supervisors, division managers, contractors, developers, engineers, vendors, and members of the public.

This position requires working four days on site and one day available to work remote.

Essential Duties

1. Develops and implements Professional Services' agency-wide objectives, policies and priorities; determines service levels and resource allocation, to include process improvement and overall efficiency.
2. Directs the work of subordinate staff, including establishment of goals, objectives and priorities, preparation of work plans, review of work products, and creation and implementation of training and development opportunities, as well as performance management activities.
3. Works across all teams in Professional Services to help implement and improve digital transformation projects.
4. Directs the allocation of resources to achieve timely outcomes and measurable goals within budget; adjusts plans and programs to meet emerging or new programs, while continuing to address major departmental priorities.
5. Monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of the departmental organization structure, staff assignments, service levels and administrative systems; identifies and analyzes opportunities for improvement; implements improvements.
6. Participates in budget development by providing detailed justification and persuasive arguments for proposals or initiatives. Implements and closely monitors budget expenditures of the operating budget for a major area of responsibility, typically including multiple divisions.
7. Directs the Community Benefits director to ensure success of the SFPUC Community Engagement, Social Impacts and Benefits program. This may include interacting with residents, elected or appointed officials, community activists, contractors and executive board members.
8. Directs Facilities Manager and team to ensure 525 Headquarters are compliant, secure, safe, and fully operational and available for staff and customers, which includes overseeing contracts for external services provided. In addition, this position will ensure timely and consistent communication with news or updates related to the 525 Building. Works collaboratively, where applicable, with other SFPUC locations to ensure continuity of service and to improve purchase power.
9. Directs FleetManager in the successful lifecycle of commercial vehicles, including maintenance, driver management, safety compliance, and fuel efficiency to ensure cost-effective operations. The position will oversee the analysis of the performance data and leverage technology to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and strengthen fleet management safety programs.
10. Directs the Office of the CAO Manager on all budgetary processes, business workflows and personnel functions of Professional Services.
11. Oversee and manage all contracting support for Professional Services including all contract engagement matters.
12. Partner with key division leadership - Human Resources, Information Technology, Communications, and Real Estate - to integrate professional support services into a centralized, efficient model and drive organizational process improvements that modernize workflows across the SFPUC.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of demonstrating the following competencies:

• Set Vision and Direction: Envisions what the future looks like at a defined point, communicates this vision with authentic conviction, and inspires and engages others in creating that future.
• Innovation: Creates a thriving culture in which employees feel both safe and encouraged to explore new ideas and improve existing ones. Develops new insights, questions conventional approaches, and encourages others to develop new ideas and innovations.
• Valuing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Recognizes the role of diversity, equity and inclusion in assembling capable teams and building a successful workforce. Fosters an inclusive and cooperative work environment where diversity and individual differences are valued and capitalized upon to achieve the vision and mission of the organization.
• Accountability: Acts with integrity, honesty, and fairness; inspires trust. Clearly defines roles and responsibilities for self and others. Holds self and others to their roles and responsibilities. Complies with legal and ethical guidelines. Acts as a responsible steward of the resources entrusted to the SFPUC.
• Strategic Planning: Formulates objectives and priorities, implements plans, and allocates resources to achieve the long-term goals of the organization.
• Change Management: Ensures that planned changes are thoroughly, smoothly, and effectively communicated and implemented such that the lasting benefits of change are achieved. Leverages a structured approach and people-oriented strategies to drive the adoption and usage of new solutions to fully realize organizational benefits and project objectives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college. AND

Experience: Four (4) years of verifiable management experience overseeing projects and/or programs. All four years of experience must include supervision experience of professionals.

Education Substitution: Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education requirement on a year for year basis for up to 2 years.

Note: One year of full-time employment is equivalent to 2,000 hours (2,000 hours of qualifying work experience is based on a 40-hour work week). Any overtime hours that you work above forty (40) hours per week are not included in the calculation to determine full-time employment

Desired Qualifications:

• An advanced degree from an accredited university or college in public administration, public policy, public affairs, political science, JD or closely related degree
• Five or more years of demonstrated experience leading a multidisciplinary team in the public sector
• Experience leading digital process improvements
• Experience overseeing large cross functional programs and initiatives

Verification Education and Experience:
Verification of Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. Education verification information on verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one's education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Experience claimed in self-employment will only be accepted if supported by documents verifying income, earnings, business license and experience comparable to minimum qualifications above. Copies of income tax papers or other documents listing occupation and total earnings must be submitted.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Additional Information

Selection Procedures:
After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

1. Minimum Qualification Supplemental Questionnaire (MQSQ) (Weight: Qualifying):
Candidates will be required to complete a MQSQ as part of the employment application at a later time. This MQSQ is designed to obtain specific information regarding an applicant's experience in relation to the Minimum Qualifications (MQ) for this position. The MQSQ will be used to evaluate if the applicant possesses the required minimum qualifications.

2. Supplemental Questionnaire Examination (Weight:100%): Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be sent a Supplemental Questionnaire Examination via a separate email after the closing of the application filing period. The Supplemental Questionnaire Examination is designed to measure the knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas required for the position which may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Knowledge of federal, state and local rules and regulations pertaining to activities and functions
• Knowledge of management principles and practices
• Knowledge of budgeting principles and practices
• Ability to direct subordinate managers engaged in diverse activities across multiple competing deadlines
• Ability to exercise administrative ingenuity, independent analysis, adaptability and judgment on highly specialized proposals with difficult, complicated choices of action
• Ability to make recommendations and present effectively to the Commission, executive staff and the public
• Ability to apply the principles and practices of public administration, financial and personnel management
• Ability to clearly interpret all applicable laws, ordinances and codes relating to the department
• Ability to direct research, survey techniques and statistical methods
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, subordinate staff, directors and members of other departments, civic organizations, agencies and the public
• Ability to remain calm and provide guidance to managers in crisis situations

Applicants will be given a deadline to return the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination. Those who do not respond by the established deadline will not be eligible to continue in the examination process and will not be added to eligibility list resulting from this process. All applicants' responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination are subject to verification.

A passing score must be achieved on the Supplemental Questionnaire Examination in order to continue in the selection process and be placed on the eligible list/score report.

Candidates will be placed on the eligible list/score report in rank order according to their final score. Candidate scores on this examination may also be applied to other announcements involving other job titles, when directed by the Human Resources Director.

The department may administer additional position-specific selection procedures to make the final hiring decision.

NOTE: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed to advance through all of the steps in the selection process.

What else should I know?

Eligible List/Score Report: A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Human Resources Director or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be of six (6) months and may be extended with the approval of the Human Resources Director.

Certification: The certification rule for the eligible list resulting from this examination will be Rule of the List.

Terms of Announcement and Appeal Rights: Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions