The West County Wastewater (WCW) seeks a strategic leader for our Infrastructure and Planning Director!
West County Wastewater is seeking a seasoned and strategic senior level leader to serve as the Director of the Infrastructure and Planning (I&P) Department. The Infrastructure and Planning Department is comprised of three divisions – Capital Programs, Collection System Operations, and Planning and support Services, with each division led by a manager who reports to the Director. The Director will lead the Department as divisions provide the planning, development, and implementation of major infrastructure projects and strategic planning initiatives, collections systems maintenance, and engineering and permitting services serving our residents and local businesses.
As the Infrastructure and Planning (I&P) Director, you will manage cross-functional teams, coordinate with stakeholders, and ensure that projects align with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and community needs. You will oversee the maintenance of collections system assets and preventative maintenance programs, engineering services and environmental initiatives, and planning initiatives. In this role you will also be supporting the growth and development of WCW personnel.
Who We Are
WCW is an award-winning wastewater treatment and resource recovery agency that collects and treats wastewater for reuse. We are committed to protecting public health, our community and the environment. West County Wastewater's administrative office and Water Quality & Resource Recovery Plant are located in beautiful Richmond, California where we serve west Contra Costa County.
The district has approximately 34,000 residences and 2,450 commercial and industrial businesses, with a total population of nearly 100,000. Founded in 1921, today we are transforming our organization and shaping the future of the regional wastewater industry with a team that is dedicated to innovation, progress, collaboration, service and ecofriendly practices. Additionally, we are deeply committed to our community and inspired by the diversity of our employees and the integrity and commitment they bring to our community and to each other every day
West County Wastewater (WCW) celebrates our innovative leadership style, where we have reimagined our work culture. WCW is committed to maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive working environment where new ideas and approaches are encouraged and every person is valued.
The Ideal Candidate
The Ideal Candidate will be a seasoned and experienced public sector manager with a track record of achievement and delivery of high-quality programs and projects, will be a successful leader and manager experienced in developing staff and programs, will possess a strategic and analytical approach to opportunities, and have extremely strong and well-developed communications skills. This candidate will demonstrate an ability to lead a department comprised of technical subject matter experts in a wide variety of disciplines, programs, and initiatives, and will demonstrate the ability to lead initiatives and make solid decisions based on the input of technical experts. This candidate will demonstrate the ability to work with all levels of the organization effectively, including the General Manager and the Board, as well as with other Departments and cross-functional teams where influencing and persuasive presentation of their positions rather than directing will be required.
The Ideal Candidate will be able to manage and develop staff reporting to them using a variety of supervisory and managerial approaches. They will model and provide clear delegation and direction to staff as received from executive leadership and will ensure performance that aligns with the goals and objectives of the organization. This candidate will also have the ability to work independently and to deliver excellent results and work product with a minimum of oversight and direction and will develop a strategic plan and vision for the Department they lead.
We are looking for someone who:
Can anticipate future needs and plan proactively for growth, sustainability, and resilience, and has a strategic vision for the direction of this department
Can develop, build and lead an effective team
Is ethical and committed to making sound decisions which honor the vision and values of the organization
Can be adaptable to changing priorities and being able to work under pressure, maintaining composure and effectiveness
Is skilled at building and maintaining collaborative relationships
What you will typically be responsible for:
Leading the strategic planning, design, and execution of infrastructure and capital improvement projects.
Developing and implementing comprehensive infrastructure plans, policies, and standards.
Managing projects and staff performance to ensure high-quality service delivery
Managing maintenance and permitting functions so that WCW systems function effectively with a minimum of disruption
Lead the departmental initiatives the interface directly with the public including capital projects, permitting and regular and emergency management activities
Effectively leading and managing emergency response efforts for system failures
Collaborating with other government agencies, consultants, contractors, and various stakeholders
Cultivating a culture consistent with the WCW’s core values and professional growth within the department
A few reasons you might love this job:
You will have the opportunity to influence policy and strategy alongside WCW leadership
You will be able to make a meaningful impact on the team and the organization
You will have the ability to plan, develop, deliver and commissions capital projects for WCW, and see those improvements function to serve the community
You will be instrumental in managing and delivering environmental initiatives which will help WCW meet its aggressive and audacious environmental goals
A few challenges you might face in this job:
Managing time-sensitive situations while balancing competing priorities
Managing regulatory requirements for the WCW permit and reporting requirements for emergencies involving environmental contamination
Managing competing demands from internal and external customers and making the best use of the resources provided, helping to prioritize among competing priorities
Directing a department with a wide variety of disciplines and specialized knowledge and leading in situations where others are the subject matter experts
Ensuring compliance with evolving policies and regulatory requirements
Competencies Required:
Delivering Results:Meeting organizational goals and customer expectations and making decisions that produce high-quality results by applying technical knowledge, problem analysis and risk calculations and assessments
Innovative Problem Solving:Identifying and analyzing problems and proposing new and creative ways to do resolve issues where appropriate
Legal & Regulatory Navigation:Understanding, interpreting, and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
Adaptability:Responding positively to change and modifying behavior as the situation requires, demonstrating the ability to shift focus when needed to other assignments or duties
Building & Maintaining Relationships:Establishingrapport and maintaining mutually productive relationships across the organization and with all levels
Teamwork:Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals, ensuring that diversity and inclusion are part of the departmental organizational approach
Political & Organizational Savvy:Working skillfully with politics, procedures, and protocols across organizational levels and boundaries
Effective Leadership and Supervision –Managing staff so that they feel valued and supported while being accountable for work deliverables, and demonstrating skills in developing subordinate staff and helping them grow in their career path.
Essential Duties
Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Develop and implement strategies and policies related to the planning, design, management, construction, and delivery of District capital improvement projects.
Supervise and participate in the conduct of complex programmatic and project-related assignments, including planning and execution of capital projects delivery related to District infrastructure, engineering, systems operations initiatives, design, investigation and research activities.
Supervise, direct, and participate in all aspects of project and program administration, including inter-agency agreements, schedule definition, cash flow analysis, environmental review and permitting processes, design and right-of-way acquisition, construction management, including developing requests for proposals, advertising, awarding, and administering of construction projects, and the selection and retention of consultants.
Ensure that appropriate levels of state and regional funding are pursued, received, appropriately allocated and for projects, and that practices maximize the use of all available funding sources.
Provide oversight for initiation of the environmental review process for District initiatives in the Department, obtaining environmental clearance for projects and ensuring coordination with partner agencies when necessary to accomplish these objectives.
Coordinate work of the department and assess risk and return on investment related to Department projects in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and other departments.
Direct and support the preparation of engineering plans, designs, specifications, cut sheets, the establishment of grades, estimates for quantities of materials, various surveying functions, the calculation of sewage flows and line capacity, and the assessment of easement and encroachment needs.
Direct and ensure a thorough review of improvement plans for subdivisions and review recommendations for changes in designs.
Direct and review the preparation of preliminary and final cost estimates; legal descriptions for annexations, deeds, easements, and right-of-ways; review building plan checks and supervise field inspections.
Ensure proper inspection of buildings and construction projects within the District for conformance to regulations, codes, and ordinances pertaining to sanitary sewers and industrial waste disposal.
Represent the District at public and professional meetings and conferences; confer with the public and representatives of other agencies.
Assign, schedule, train, and supervise department employees; perform and participate in a variety of personnel actions including performance evaluations, selection, dismissal, transfer, and disciplinary actions.
Responsible for the communication of District policies and procedures through departmental staff meetings, delegating responsibilities and authorities to various personnel and divisions of the department.
Attend Board of Director and Board committee meetings, and prepare and present staff reports and agenda items for consideration by the Board. Represent the District and make presentations to other governmental, regulatory or private organizations, media representatives or District employees.
Administer the fiscal affairs of the department including controlling expenditures, ensuring appropriate cost and revenue allocation and documentation, and preparing the annual department budget.
Act on behalf of the General Manager, as assigned and perform other related duties consistent with the responsibilities assigned to this classification and necessary to the operations of the department and District.
Provide effective management and leadership for the department in a manner that actively demonstrates a commitment to the District's core values, principles of continuous improvement, the District's safety programs and policy, characterized as openness to innovative approaches.
Actively promote the District's focus on effective and respectful communications to build better work relationships at all levels in the organization by emphasizing the concepts of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, productive conflict, conflict resolution, and the prompt resolution of relational issues or miscommunication.
Ensure the preparation of high-quality, well-written, and logical Board communications, and provide well-considered, engaging, and responsive presentations to the Board, as needed, during regular, committee, and special meetings.
Support development and implementation of the District's Strategic Business Plan by directly engaging in periodic revisions to the plan and leading department-level discussions and multi-disciplinary teams to identify, prioritize, and implement Strategic Business Plan Initiatives on an annual basis.
Support the development and deliver the implementation of meaningful key performance indicators at the District and department level to measure performance relative to goals and drive organizational improvement over time.
Ensure the completion of department work activities in a manner consistent with District policies and procedures, and applicable laws, codes, statutes, and regulations. Identify revised or new policies and procedures to address.
Applying for this Position: Applicants interested in the Director of Infrastructure and Planning position must apply at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/wcwd by June 15, 2025
This recruitment requires a cover letter and resume with the application. You must submit a well-crafted cover letter that highlights your qualifications and enthusiasm for the role. A compelling cover letter allows us to see who you are beyond your resume.
Selection Process:
Application Filing and Evaluation: Applicants must complete a supplemental questionnaire at the time of application; applications will be evaluated to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process.
Oral Interview: Conducted by a Qualifications Appraisal Panel, which will evaluate candidates in job-related areas.
Tentative Test Dates: Structured Oral Interview: July 2, 2025 Hiring Interview: July 17, 2025
WCW is not responsible for the failure of internet forms or email transmission in submitting applications. Candidates who may require special assistance in any phase of the application or selection process should advise Human Resources at hr@wcwd.org.
Any combination of experience and training that demonstrates that a person has obtained the required knowledge and is able to perform the required work (with reasonable
accommodation, if needed) will be considered. A person with the following combined training and experience would typically qualify to compete in a selection process:
Experience: Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional project management experience in a public entity environment such as a public works or general services department or an engineering firm consulting or performing projects for public entities, during which at least four (4) years must have been in a management position with a publicly-owned or private water or wastewater utility, municipality, related industry, or similar organization.
Education: Education or training that is equivalent to four (4) years of formal education with significant course work that is directly related to the knowledge, skills, and abilities, is required for this position. This may include but is not limited to a combination of the following disciplines: project management; construction management; code and regulation interpretation for buildings, roads, and infrastructure; operation of a public utility, business or public administration, supervisory techniques, management of project budgets and timelines, technical writing, public contracting law and administration, organizational management and leadership, understanding financial statements, organizational and capital budgeting and forecasting, and strategic planning.
Desirable Qualifications:
Experience with project management software
Experience developing a long-range strategic plan for infrastructure
Experience with environmental initiatives such as Greenhouse Gas Emissions inventories, carbon emissions tracking and reduction programs
Experience with project management, and certification in the field
Experience with engineering work, engineering design, and related activities, or experience working with SMEs in that field
Experience presenting to Boards and Commissions, and public speaking
Experience in the Wastewater Industry and a senior level
Experience in leading an organization of department
Experience in staff development, coaching or mentorship
West County Wastewater is an award-winning wastewater treatment and resource recovery agency that collects and treats wastewater for reuse, while protecting public health and the environment. We operate a 12.5 million gallons per day wastewater treatment plant and maintain 249 miles of sanitary sewer collection lines, 17 lift stations and six miles of pressure force mains. WCW’S administrative office and Water Quality and Resource Recovery Plant are located in Richmond, CA, several miles from one another.
WCW is focused on customer service, public engagement, effective problem-solving and collaboration – meeting the future with a fresh perspective and cutting-edge approach. Building a strong team is a top priority.
We are redefining the hiring process to help us meet our goals by removing formal traditional educational requirements from our job descriptions and assessing applicants based on skills and ability to meet the mission, vision and goals of the organization. This approach reduces barriers to employment in the industry and opens doors for those who may not otherwise qualify.
We are committed to the professional development and wellbeing of our employees and to provid...ing an open, supportive and inclusive atmosphere. Creating a positive work environment for our team allows us to better serve our customers. Our employees are highly motivated, results-driven individuals who thrive on strategic thinking, innovation, teamwork and personal accountability – and who have a passion for the environment and the community we serve.
