Director of Water Resources

North Marin Water District•Novato, CA

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Water Resources serves as one of five Department Heads for the District and reports directly to the General Manager. The successful candidate will serve as a new department head reporting to the General Manager as well as the Technical Manager for the District’s water quality laboratory. The successful candidate will be responsible for growing the department over time via integration of existing division or teams in coordination with District leadership. NMWD is an independent Special District formed under Division 12 of the California Water Code (County Water Districts) and provides potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to more than 65,000 customers in Marin County and a portion of southern Sonoma County. The District was formed in 1945 and has a five member Board of Directors, elected by Division for 4-year terms. These water and wastewater services are provided through four separate enterprises: Novato Water, Novato Recycled Water, and the West Marin Water systems, and the Oceana Marin wastewater system. NMWD and the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) represent the two primary water providers in Marin County, with MMWD as the larger agency serving approximately three times the number of customers. NMWD has 61 (budgeted) Full-Time employees organized into five departments consisting of Administrative Services, Utilities, Engineering, Operations and our new Water Resources Department. In addition to the General Manager, there are three other staff members appointed by the Board of Directors: The Director of Administrative Services, who heads the Administrative Services Department, the Assistant GM/Director of Engineering that heads the Engineering Department and the Executive Assistant/District Secretary. The Departments work very collaboratively to ensure that all NMWD assets are functional, efficient, and maintained or replaced in accordance with industry standards and that all NMWD administration and operations comply with local, state and federal requirements. In 2025, NMWD staff, with the support of the Board of Directors, developed an updated five-year Strategic Plan for 2025–2030 . The planning process included a customer survey, an all-staff survey, and one-on-one interviews with selected staff members, senior staff, and members of the Draft Recruitment Flyer Content Board of Directors. One outcome of the updated Strategic Plan was the realignment of NMWD’s departmental organizational structure and the establishment of the Water Resources Department. Under general administrative direction from the General Manager, plans, organizes, and directs the District’s Water Resources Department; establishes goals and objectives for the department and internal policies and procedures related to departmental program activities; through subordinate managers and supervisors, directs the work of staff engaged in Water Resources and Water Quality program activities and ensures the effectiveness of departmental programs; provides responsible advice and counsel to the Board, General Manager, and District managers on a variety of water resources, water conservation and water quality issues; participates on the Executive Management team to develop District-wide policies and procedures and to advance the goal and mission of the District; provides highly responsible administrative staff assistance to the General Manager; represents the District to outside groups and organizations; serves as District liaison on various inter- agency coordination projects; and performs related work as required. Ensures overall compliance with various federal and state regulations associated with water quality and environmental health, primarily the federal and state Safe Drinking Water Acts, and the Clean Water Act.

Requirements

A Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, microbiology, natural or physical science, environmental engineering, sanitary engineering, or chemical engineering
Five years’ experience in the analysis of chemical, biological, or microbiological samples in an environmental laboratory for the water utility industry.
Experience in environmental laboratory fields of accreditation for drinking water, non-potable water and sewage sludge, including but not limited to toxic chemical elements, microbiology and inorganic chemistry.
Possession of a valid Class C California driver’s license
Possession of a California Drinking Water Operator Certification Program (DWOCP) Grade D2 Water Distribution Operator Certificate or the ability to obtain certification within 18 months of appointment to position.

Nice To Haves

Ten years of increasingly responsible management experience in laboratory operations in the water utility or equivalent field.
Possession of a Water Treatment Operator T2 certification from DWOCP is desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Plans, supervises, directs and coordinates the activities, operations and services of the Water Resources Department including the overall quality or characteristics of domestic water, recycled water, and wastewater and associated regulatory compliance and technical requirements of such systems; insures the Water Resources Department activities comply with regulatory requirements, including potable, recycled and wastewater; overseas the management of data collection and generation of regulatory reports; oversees and/or participates in the development, implementation and maintenance of the Water Resources Department goals, objectives, policies and procedures; plans, coordinates and reviews the work plan for assigned programs and projects and responsibilities related to Water Resources Department activities and services including management of consultant contracts; provides administrative and technical direction to staff and consultants.
Serves as Laboratory Technical Manager and responsible for all District laboratory protocols, procedures and applicable state of California Code of Regulations, including the California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). The Laboratory Supervisor position is responsible for day-to-day supervision of Laboratory staff, as described in Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
Provides oversight and ensures implementation of the District’s cross connection control/backflow prevention program. Ensures enforcement of consumer compliance with District policies, State and local laws. Coordinates schedules and conducts cross connection surveys of potable or recycled water systems; reviews construction plans and plumbing specifications; provides information and assistance to other departments, contractors, engineers, developers, and the general public; and maintains a variety of records, files and documentation.
Supports and monitors the District’s Water Conservation Program; analyzes water use patterns and identifies effective conservation measures; maintains relationships with local and regional agencies and stakeholders, including the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership and ensures compliance with the state’s Urban Water Use Objectives.
Directs, coordinates, and participates in watershed management programs, activities, and operations, which includes data collection, monitoring efforts, sanitary surveys and other water sources assessments. Oversees, manages and is responsible for cooperative agreements, memorandum of understandings or master agreements with other local or regional agencies or entities related to District watershed lands. Coordinates various operational activities within the watersheds, including sediment removal, lake, dam and groundwater well operations.
Maintains effective regulatory compliance in accordance with District, local, state and federal requirements and policies; develops, evaluates and updates all water quality programs for the District including those related to the laboratory, operations, treatment and water and sewer facilities construction. Prepares or oversees preparation, certifies and submits regulatory reports to comply with various state-implemented requirements.
Monitors legislative and regulatory activities and coordinates with District’s external representative(s) and other managers, as appropriate, on legislative or regulatory issues to protect the interests of the District.
Prepares and presents staff reports and agenda items for consideration by the Board/Board Committees; serves as advisor to the General Manager and Board on water resources and regulatory issues.
Works closely with key District staff on water quality issues related to potable and recycled water distribution as well as emergency management/preparedness and related programs.
Responsible for reviewing and updating District Regulations related to water quality, water conservation, cross-connection and backflow and Board Policies related to water quality and water conservation programs.
Responsible for instilling esprit de corps and a healthy, positive work attitude in employees supervised. Coordinates the selection, orientation, and evaluation programs for Water Resources personnel; develops job descriptions as necessary; plans and coordinates staff training; identifies and resolves staff deficiencies; implements discipline and/or termination procedures; develops, implements, maintains and improves various computer programs for the division; develops the Water Resources Department budget; participates in the forecast of necessary staffing, materials and supplies; proposes, presents and justifies divisional programs, projects, operations and services.
Attend and participate in organizational and community meetings as necessary.