Water Resources & Development Division Manager

Salary : $147,708.00 - $179,544.00 Annually
Location : Public Works Yard, 4244 Santa Ana Street, South Gate, CA
Job Type: Full Time Unclassified
Job Number:
Department: Public Works
Division: Water Division
Opening Date: 11/11/2026
Closing Date: 12/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

About the Position
Under the direction of the Director of Public Works/City Engineer, the Water Resources and Development Division Manager is responsible for supervising and managing major functions of the Division related to water resources, environmental engineering, development review, and capital improvement project delivery. Responsibilities include managing the planning, design, environmental compliance, and construction of capital projects; supervising engineering staff; coordinating with agencies and developers; and ensuring regulatory compliance and successful implementation of the City's Capital Improvement Program. Performs other duties as assigned.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The Water Resources and Development Division Manager is a division-level management classification in the engineering professional series. May serve in the capacity of the Acting Director of Public Works/City Engineer when assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Public Works/City Engineer.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Exercises supervision over senior and lower-level professional, technical and clerical engineering staff.
Examples of Essential Functions
Essential functions may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Water Resources

• Lead the planning, development, and management of water resource systems and projects, ensuring sustainable use, regulatory compliance, and alignment with environmental and infrastructure objectives.
• Collaborates with the Water Manager of the Field Operations Division to assess system operations, identify technical issues, and develop appropriate capital improvement projects.
• Manages the City's water rights program, including reporting to federal, state, county, and local agencies, and oversees the leasing of water rights as necessary.
• Provides technical and administrative support to the Water Division in complex regulatory and compliance tasks, including communications with regulatory agencies, preparation of required reports, procurement of professional services, and development of staff reports and presentations.

Staff Management & Organizational Support

• Manages, supervises, trains, and evaluates assigned professional and technical staff; participates in recruitment and selection; and makes recommendations regarding discipline as necessary. Ensures quality, adherence to budget, and timely project delivery.
• Develops and implements division policies and procedures; prepares technical reports, policy recommendations, and correspondence; and presents project updates and technical recommendations to the City Council, community groups, and other decision-making bodies.

Capital Improvement Program Management

• Manages Capital Improvement Program (CIP), including long-range planning, project scoping, budgeting, scheduling, environmental review, design oversight, bidding, construction management, and project closeout. Specializes in water resources and environmental engineering, including potable water systems, storm drains, stormwater quality, flood control, sanitary sewers, and wastewater systems. However, may be assigned to manage any project in the City's Capital Improvement Program such as traffic signal upgrades, complete streets, mobility enhancements, and infrastructure modernization, and facility improvements.
• Manages and supervises engineering staff, including licensed and certified engineers, in the delivery of capital projects. Provides guidance on project budgets and schedules to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery, and offers technical oversight, decision-making support, training, and quality assurance throughout all phases of project implementation.
• Procures, manages, and administers consultant and contract services for the planning, design, and construction of capital projects. Prepares and reviews Requests for Proposals (RFPs), engineering designs, specifications, cost estimates, feasibility studies, and technical reports.
• Oversees the preparation and review of engineering plans, specifications, technical studies, and grant applications. Ensures compliance with applicable regulations, technical accuracy, and effective communication with the public and stakeholders.
• Establishes project budgets, schedules, and performance benchmarks; coordinates with other departments, regional agencies, and utility providers to align capital projects with development activities, funding opportunities, and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Identifies funding opportunities, researches grant programs, and prepares or oversees the preparation of grant applications to support capital projects and engineering initiatives.

Engineering Services & Development Review

• Manages a range of engineering programs and services including but not limited to development review, regional water and transportations projects, environmental compliance, stormwater management, engineering administration, industrial waste discharge permitting, construction inspection, development review, technical studies, assessment districts, and franchise utility coordination.
• Collaborates with the Community Development Department to oversee the review of private development projects, including plan checks and conditions of approval. Supports the entitlement process by providing engineering input for planning applications, participating in environmental review, and ensuring alignment between planning goals and engineering standards through interdepartmental coordination. Provides technical support during the entitlement process, including presenting to the Planning Commission.
• Coordinates with developers through the entitlement process, and reviews technical documents and studies. Coordinates preparation of, and evaluates hydrology, traffic, grading, utility, and stormwater reports to assess potential impacts on City infrastructure.
• Identifies funding opportunities and oversees the preparation and submittal of grant applications to support capital improvement projects, infrastructure enhancements, and regulatory compliance efforts. Coordinates with internal staff and external agencies to develop competitive proposals and ensures timely reporting and documentation for awarded grants.
• Reviews encroachment permit applications, performs plan checks, and coordinates with applicants to ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulations. Monitors construction activities within the public right-of-way to safeguard public infrastructure. Communicates technical requirements and coordinates necessary field inspections for final approvals.

Interagency & Regional Coordination

• Coordinates with federal, state, and regional water agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, Division of Drinking Water, Los Angeles County Sanitation District, and Water Replenishment District, to implement capital projects, water policies, and programs.
• Represents the City in regional organizations such as the Southeast Water Coalition and Central Basin Water Association, and monitors water-related legislation in collaboration with the Director of Public Works.
• Coordinates with regulatory and funding agencies to ensure the successful delivery of capital projects, including environmental documentation, permitting, and grant compliance.

Minimum & Desirable Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with bachelor's degree in civil or water resources engineering or related field is required. Eight (8) years of professional Civil Engineering experience, two (2) of which must be in a supervisory capacity, is required. Experience in the public sector managing complex capital projects and/or engineering programs working for a local, County, or State agency, district (e.g. school district, etc.) utility company, or any entity, private or public, with engineering operations that provide reasonably similar and needed experience is highly desired. A minimum of four (4) years of experience working for a water utility company, water district and/or a local agency's water engineering or utilities division is highly desired.
License/Certification/Special Requirements

Registration as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors is required.
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License, proof of insurance and a satisfactory driving record is highly desirable at appointment and throughout employment in this position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: State, Federal and locally applicable statues, policies, standards, ordinances and regulations related to civil engineering practices of public agencies; municipal public works administration; principles of planning, controlling, and organizing activities of a major civil engineering section; engineering design and analysis; traffic engineering; construction contract law; principles of cost accounting; supervisory techniques; public speaking techniques; and budget preparation and administration practices; public works construction methods, design and materials; and principles and practices of personnel management and supervision.
Ability to: Provide highly complex civil engineering services to the City; analyze problems and prepare written and oral reports; understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions; resolve technical issues in design and construction; supervise the work of others; select and maintain advanced filing systems; analyze and solve difficult engineering problems by arriving at valid conclusions; communicate effectively in English both orally and in writing; effectively present issues and recommendations before the City Council; supervise and maintain effective working relationships.

Other Important Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office and moderately loud when outdoors. Incumbents are not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS:

Application Packets Must Include: A fully completed online employment application which:

• Covers at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience).
• Responses to the supplemental questionnaire.
• Must be specific in describing your qualifications for this position. Failure to state all pertinent information may lead to elimination from consideration. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application.
• Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any phase of the application or selection process must advise Human Resources and make such a request during the application process. Every effort will be made to provide a reasonable accommodation where requested.

Selection Process: All application materials received by the application deadline will be reviewed and evaluated. All information supplied by applicants is subject to verification.

1. Application Review: The first phase will be a detailed review and appraisal of each candidate's application. This phase is for qualifying purposes only. There is no weight assigned to this phase. Those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may be invited to the next phase.
2. Oral Appraisal Interview: A minimum of 70% must be obtained to pass the oral appraisal interview.
3. Employment Eligibility List: The Employment Eligibility List will be established after completion of the examination process. Current and future vacancies will be filled from this list. Lists typically last for 12 months, but may be extended or abolished in accordance with the City's Civil Service rules and regulations.