THE DISTRICT
The Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) is the oldest municipal water District in California, receiving its charter from the State of California in 1912. The District, located across the Golden Gate Bridge just north of San Francisco, supplies potable and recycled water to a resident population of almost 200,000 persons in a 147 square mile area in the southern and central portions of Marin County.
Normal water usage in the District is about 31,000 acre-feet per year. About 75% of this water is imported to the populated eastern portions of the District from a series of seven District owned and operated reservoirs in the rural western portion of the County. The balance of the District’s potable water supply is purchased from the Sonoma County Water Agency, whose primary water source is the Russian River, located about 50 miles north of the District. In addition, the District operates a recycled water system that offsets about 2% of the potable water demand in the District.
To treat and distribute this water supply the MMWD operates two potable water filtration plants, one recycled water treatment plant and one water quality station, to integrate the District’s purchased water supply into its other potable water supplies. The District is quite hilly and water distribution requires a system somewhat more complex than other similar sized water Districts. The distribution system includes about 900 miles of pipelines, 100 pump stations and about 130 water storage tanks.
In addition to the District’s water supply functions, the District owns and protects 22,450 areas of watershed lands draining into its reservoirs and has significant stewardship responsibilities towards the aquatic and terrestrial species, some of them endangered, that occupy the areas downstream of the reservoir system.
MMWD also has a long history of innovative and aggressive water conservation activities, programs that continue to this day. These water conservation efforts have been so successful that water use in the District is about the same today as it was in 1970, even though the District population has increased close to 20% in the almost 40 years since that date.
The District is governed by a five member Board of Directors, each elected to four year terms by the voters of five geographic areas. The Board of Directors selects a General Manager to direct overall District operations. The General Manager selects five senior managers to coordinate a staff of 265 authorized positions with a FY 2010 operating budget of about $65 million and a capital expenditure budget of about $26 million. For further information about the Marin Municipal Water District, see its web site at: www.marinwater.org
THE COMMUNITY
Marin County is a dynamic community of more than 250,000 well educated and involved residents. The County’s median family income is among the highest of California counties. Marin residents enjoy a high quality of life in an environment marked by beautiful beaches, groves of redwood and oaks, rolling foothills and scenic vistas and valleys. The Mediterranean climate is mild year round and highlighted by cool coastal fog tempering the warm inland temperatures of summer.
The County is known for its combination of suburban and rural lifestyles. There are more than 140,000 acres of public lands in the County making it a recreational destination for both San Francisco Bay area residents and tourists. Among the public lands are the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Wood National Monument and Mount Tamalpais and Samuel P. Taylor State Parks.
The Marin County economy supports upscale suburban communities and also includes industries such as insurance, movie and video production, computer software and tourism and agriculture which includes dairying, cheese making, wine making and aquaculture. Marin is also home to the Buck Institute on Aging, a world class research institute studying the process and impacts of human aging.
Marin County schools are among the best in California. There are 74 public schools in 19 school districts in the County. Public schools include elementary, middle and high schools, continuing education, alternative education and charter schools. The Marin Community College has two campuses in the County and there are several private educational institutions serving all age levels, including Dominican University in San Rafael.
THE POSITION
The Environmental and Engineering Services Division Manager is selected by and reports to the General Manager of MMWD and is a vital member of the District’s Management Team who advises the General Manager. This team also includes the District’s Facilities and Watershed manager, Finance Manager, Human Resources Manager and General Counsel.
The Environmental and Engineering Services Division Manger is responsible for directing the planning and organizing of the activities of the Division and for coordinating those activities with other District divisions and departments, other agencies and the public.
The Division includes 105 full time technical, operating and support positions serving in water treatment and water distribution operations, engineering design and project construction, engineering records and water services, and water quality, environmental and regulatory compliance activities.
The Division has a FY 2010 operating budget of $14.5 million and is also responsible for developing and managing the District’s capital construction program, budgeted at $25 million in FY2010.
Specific duties for the Environmental and Engineering Services Manager include, but are not limited to:
• assist the General Manager and Board of Directors in the development and implementation of the District’s long-term policies and objectives
• plan, direct and review the work of professional and technical staff in the design, construction, inspection and maintenance of the District’s water system facilities
• coordinate division activities with other District management staff and governmental agencies to manage and accomplish Division goals, objectives and functions in a timely and efficient manner
• manage the District's water quality function consistent with providing the highest quality water to consumers at the lowest possible cost; and in compliance with regulatory agency requirements;
• effectively represent the District with customers, and representatives of other governmental agencies and non-government organizations
• develop and accomplish short and long term planning and operational goals and objectives of the District
• analyze and make recommendations related to water supply and water rights
• actively manage employee labor relations and issues within the division
• attend Board meetings and preparing and presenting oral and written reports as requested
• assume the responsibility of the General Manager, when assigned.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
During the course of performing job duties the employee will need the mobility to work in a standard office setting, operate equipment, which may include office and/or field equipment, or specialized instruments or tools requiring repetitive arm/hand movement and/or the coordinated movement of more than one limb simultaneously; enter and retrieve data from personal computers and terminals via keyboards which is often performed while sitting for extended periods of time. The employee frequently stands, walks, bends at neck and waists, twists at neck and waist, uses simple and power grasping with both hands, uses fine manipulation of both hands and fingers, and may require use of the arms above the shoulder, climb or balance; stoop, kneel or crouch. While working in the field the employee may walk on uneven or un-level ground surfaces such as hills, slopes, ditches or trenches, on or in tanks, and may work at heights up to ten to twelve feet climbing ladders or stairs. The employee is occasionally required to lift and carry short distances objects such as reams of copier paper, office supplies, files, books, printed materials and other packages or equipment weighing up to 10 to 25 pounds. This position requires that the employee demonstrate adequate hearing and speech to converse in person and over the telephone, and vision to read printed materials and use a computer screen.
The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate noise. The employee is exposed to outdoor temperature, humidity, wetness and dust. The position may require the ability to work overtime and weekends as needed.
Employees who drive on District business to carry out job-related duties must posses a California driver’s license for the class of vehicle driven and meet automobile insurability requirements of the District including review of a recent DMV history. In order to drive, individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles and equipment safely.
To be successful in this job, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each of the listed duties. These duties are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required for the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of the position. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be directed to the Human Resources Manager.
CURRENT ISSUES AND PRIORITIES
The District’s normal water demand exceeds sustainable water supply. Programs must be developed to sustain the water conservation savings already attained by the District and new programs must be implemented to produce additional savings. Additional water supply must be developed to supplement conservation savings either from new sources such as desalination or through increased sustainable production from existing water sources.
The current economic recession has caused customers to reduce water use, thus impacting the District’s revenue stream. Rate changes will be more challenging to effect in the current economic environment.
The regulatory environment is continuing to become more challenging, as the District implements new rules concerning disinfection byproducts, total maximum daily loads for different waterbodies, and impending recovery plans for endangered salmonids. Sources of imported water are also impacted by similar requirements, making them less reliable.
Various key employees of the District will be retiring soon, and workforce and succession plans will need to be refined and implemented.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate will be an experienced and creative water systems design, construction and operations manager with strong organizational, management and consensus building skills. The candidate must be able to work effectively with the diverse staff of the District and effectively integrate the work of the Division into the District mission, which is to provide a reliable, high quality water supply to the residents of the District at an equitable price while at the same time sensitively managing the resources of the District in a manner that will ensure the fiscal and environmental vitality of the District for future generations.
Leadership and Management Style
Candidates must be decisive, effective and efficient managers who lead by example while respecting employees and holding them accountable for their work, and be a manager who cultivates teamwork and high morale; be accessible, approachable and an effective listener. In addition, the Division Manager must be a strategic planner who accomplishes the desired goals and be a skilled communicator - both orally and in writing – in order to be an effective spokesperson for the District.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a dedication to the District’s commitment to high quality water, customer service, environmental protection, financial responsibility and water conservation and efficient use. Candidates must be able to work effectively in a diverse and involved community.
Specific qualifications are as follows:
Experience and Education
It is expected the successful candidate will have at least ten (10) years of increasingly responsible engineering experience, of which at least five (5) years include managing engineering operations in a public or private organization, preferably a utility. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering and California registration as a Professional Civil Engineer is required. A Master’s degree in business or public administration is desirable.
Registration
Registration as a Professional Civil Engineer in California is required.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The position’s annual salary is $142,956 - $173,760 depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate. The District offers an attractive benefit package, including:
PERS Retirement – California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) 2.7% at 55 plan; District pays 100% of the employee’s 8% contribution. The District also participates in Social Security.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance – District pay premium for employee and one dependent for coverage provided with any of the health insurances plans authorized under the PERS medical insurance coverage program, up to a maximum of $1,065.12 per month (effective January 2010). District pays premium for employee and family dental insurance, and provides limited reimbursement of vision care expenses not covered in health plan.
Holidays, Vacation and Sick Leave - District observes 11 holidays, and provides generous sick leave, administrative, and vacation leave earning rates with limited carryover provisions.
Long Term Disability Insurance – District provides insurance.
Life Insurance - District provides policy with coverage based on salary to a maximum of $150,000.
APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
You may apply online at www.calopps.org or www.marinwater.org, Also, an application packet may be obtained by calling 415-945-1433, or in person at MMWD/HR, 220 Nellen Avenue, Corte Madera, CA 94925. In addition to the application please submit a resume with current salary and the names of three work-related references. If you are not filing an application online, originals of the application materials and supplemental questionnaire must be mailed and post marked by the deadline date. Faxes and electronic submissions will be accepted until 4:30 p.m. on the filing deadline.
The final filing date for this position is December 7, 2009
SCHEDULE
Following the filing date, application materials and supplemental questionnaire will be screened in relation to the criteria outlined in this brochure. Candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be given preliminary interviews in late December or early January. The District will invite successful candidates to participate in final interviews in late January. A conditional offer is anticipated following a final interview, and a final offer pending full reference and background checks.
MARIN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT MISSION STATEMENT
It is the purpose of the Marin Municipal Water District to manage sustainably the natural resources with which it is entrusted, to provide its customer with reliable, high-quality water that maintains and protects the public health at a fair and reasonable price, and to ensure the fiscal and environmental vitality of the district for future generations.
You are not required to disclose information about physical or mental limitations that you believe will not interfere with your capability to do the job. However, if you want the Marin Municipal Water District to consider special arrangements to accommodate a physical or mental impairment for the employment process, you may identify that impairment and suggest the kind of accommodation that you believe would be appropriate. If, because of a disability or for religious reasons, you wish to arrange an accommodation in order to participate in the testing process, you are encouraged to contact Human Resources at (415) 945-1434.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
- Compensation: $142,956-$173,760 Annually
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Phone calls about this job are ok.
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.