Chief Operating Officer

San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority • Byron, CA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority (SLDMWA) is seeking an accomplished leader for the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO). This senior executive position is at the intersection of infrastructure, public service, organizational leadership, and California water management. The COO will be responsible for operational performance, organizational alignment, and the effective execution of Capital Projects across the Authority. This role reports directly to the Executive Director and oversees Operations & Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, Capital Improvement Projects, Control Operations, and Safety. The COO is accountable for the planning, management, performance, and improvement of the Authority’s O&M and Capital Improvement Project functions. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the COO will represent the Executive Director in interactions with employees, the public, member agencies, and other organizations. The COO will primarily work in Tracy, with regular presence in Los Banos for Committee and Board Meetings, and time at other Authority locations as needed.

Requirements

• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge and abilities may be qualifying.
• A typical path includes a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, public administration, business administration, or a related field.
• Ten years of supervisory, management, or executive experience.
• Executive leadership in a public-agency environment, including governance, strategic planning, performance management, policy development, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of water-agency operations, including operation and maintenance of major infrastructure, asset management, and capital construction.
• Working knowledge of laws, regulations, legal mandates, guidelines, and standards affecting public agencies, particularly water agencies.
• Ability to establish goals, objectives, policies, procedures, work standards, and internal controls—and to translate them into effective execution.
• Ability to balance competing objectives, negotiate effective resolutions, and maintain discretion and integrity with sensitive information.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to build cooperative relationships with member agencies, public agencies, staff, and the public.

Nice To Haves

• Broad management experience in a public agency, including responsibility for program formulation and implementation and the management of administrative operations, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive direction for administration of the O&M Transfer Agreement with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for Transferred Works facilities.
• Lead development, preparation, and administration of the annual budget, including fiscal analysis and review of budget proposals and requests.
• Provide direction and leadership for O&M staff and ensure the Authority’s safety practices and programs are coordinated, implemented, and maintained.
• Coordinate activities across departments to promote a high level of organizational and program efficiency.
• Work closely with the Executive Director on strategic planning, implementation plans, priorities, and Authority policy development.
• Represent the Executive Director before federal, state, and local agencies and other organizations.
• Support Board of Directors meetings, information flow, and coordination among member agencies.
• Oversee Capital Improvement Projects, special studies and evaluations of Authority programs and services.
• Communicate established Board policies effectively.
• Select, motivate, develop, supervise, and constructively evaluate managers and staff.
• Manage complex, multi-team projects requiring coordination with external agencies and senior executives.

Benefits

• Company vehicle or monthly vehicle allowance
• Executive compensatory time off
• 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan funded by an Authority contribution equal to 8% of gross base annual salary
• Executive 401(a) plan with mandatory 5% employee contribution matched by a 5% employer contribution
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Three medical plans offered through ACWA-JPIA (Blue Cross PPO, Blue Cross HMO, and Kaiser HMO). The Authority contributes 100% of the employee premium and 75% for eligible family members.
• Dental & Vision: Authority contribution of 100% of the premium for the employee and eligible family members.
• Employee Assistance Program: Available to employees and household members, with the Authority paying 100% of the premium.
• Paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Medical leave
• Optional/Voluntary benefits: life insurance, Short/Long term disability insurance, AFLAC, credit union.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive