Salary : $167,541.92 - $203,665.28 Annually
Location : Bakersfield, CA, CA
Job Type: Full-Time (Use Regular Full-Time)
Job Number: 02487
Department: Water
Division: Agriculture Water
Opening Date: 07/24/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 1:00 PM Pacific

Description
Under administrative direction of the City Manager, plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs the City's water systems and wastewater treatment operations; serves as technical expert in matters related to distribution of agricultural and domestic water of Kern River delivery system and Kern River Levee District; and performs related work as required.
Representative Duties
The following typical tasks and responsibilities are representative of the position's essential duties. They are descriptive, not limiting. Essential Duties: Serves as the Water Department Head reporting to the City Manager; Manages activities of the Water Department which includes the Agricultural and Domestic Water divisions, the Kern River Levee District and Wastewater Treatment division; Advises the City Council, Water Board, City Manager and others on departmental issues; Ensures timely actions on Water Board items and implementation of City Council resolutions on departmental matters; Administers policy as established by the City Water Board; Develops, controls and manages the Department's annual budget; Develops general departmental administrative policies and procedures.

For a full job description please click here

Minimum Qualifications
Applications will be accepted only from those applicants who clearly demonstrate on the COMPLETED application, resume, certifications, and supplemental questionnaire that they meet the below requirements:

• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Public Administration, Civil Engineering or related field; AND
• Six (6) years of management and administrative experience in the direction of agricultural and domestic water resources or other related managerial experience, of which two (2) years must be at a division management level.
• An equivalent combination of training, certification and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
• A valid California Class "C" driver's license.

Examination (Weighted: 100%)
September 3rd, 2026 (Tentative)

An appraisal will be made of the applicant's experience, education, training, certification, knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal qualifications for the position. A minimum passing score of 70% is required.

NOTE: Admission to the Examination may be limited to those applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications. Applicants possessing the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed admittance to the Examination. Employment applications must be properly completed in accordance with instructions on face of application form. All pertinent information needed to determine that the applicant meets the minimum qualifications must be shown on the application, resume, and supplemental questionnaire; otherwise, the application may be rejected. NOTE: POSTMARKS will not be accepted Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of COMPLETED application.
Full Summary of Benefits by Bargaining Unit:

INSURANCE: The City and the employee share contributions for premiums for health insurance coverage. The City provides life insurance benefits based on bargaining unit. Visit the Cityweb page for detailed information (rates and plan information).

RETIREMENT: Benefits are provided by the City's participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). 2% @ 62 for new hire Miscellaneous and 2.7% @ 57 for Safety (Fire & Police). Visit the page for additional information.
01

Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School/ GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None

02

Do you possess any of the following? Please attach certifications to your application.

• Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer
• Water Treatment Facility Operator's Certificate issued by the California State Department of Public Health
• Valid Water Distribution Certificate issued by AWWA
• None

03

How many years of management and administrative experience in the direction of wastewater, agricultural, and domestic water resources or other related managerial experience do you possess?

• 1 - 2 Years
• 2 - 3 Years
• 4 Years
• 5 Years
• 6 Years
• 7+ years
• None

04

Regarding question #3, please describe your management and administrative experience in the direction of wastewater, agricultural, and domestic water resources. Include your employer, and dates of employment. Do not write "See Resume/Application".
05

Regarding question #3, how many of the years selected were at a division management level?

• 1 Year
• 2 Years
• 3 Years
• 4 Years
• 5+ Years
• None

06

Please select each of the following for which you have work experience:

• Planning, budgeting, and rate analysis for water and wastewater utilities
• Managing water & wastewater systems and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Managing and developing departmental staff
• Surface, municipal, and groundwater use & management
• None of the above

07

Regarding question #6, please describe your experience for each selected item. Include your employer, and dates of employment. Do not write "See Resume/Application".
08

Do you possess a Class "C" driver's license or out of state equivalent?

• Yes
• No

09

I understand that all future correspondence with the City with regards to this recruitment will be via e-mail provided on my application. Please keep your contact information up-to-date and ensure that your e-mail spam filter allows you to receive messages from [email protected]. Note: All City examination notices are also available via your Government Jobs profile.

• Yes
• No

10

I understand that I must submit a completed Application, Supplemental Questionnaire, Resume and Certifications by the filing deadline, August 14, 2026, at 1 PM, in order to have my application accepted. You may submit these documents on-line as an attachment; mail or bring to the Human Resources Department, City Hall 1600 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor, Bakersfield, CA 93301; email to [email protected], or Fax to (661) 852-2070. The Certificate and the Resume must reference the recruitment name and number (i.e. Water Director #02487) and be submitted to the attention of Tanya Wilson.

• Yes
• No

Required Question