Job Details

Otay Water District Administrative Services Chief

The Otay Water District, established in 1956, is a public agency providing water, recycled water, and sewer service to approximately 238,000 people within the roughly 125 square miles of southeastern San Diego County, including communities of eastern Chula Vista, Bonita, Jamul, Spring Valley, Rancho San Diego, unincorporated areas of El Cajon and La Mesa, and eastern Otay Mesa along the international border of Mexico.

The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills, ability to recommend improvements and innovations (both with and without utilization of technology); strong training philosophy and risk management planning; outstanding organizational skills to manage the activities of the Administrative Services Department, as well as ability to provide complex administrative support to the General Manager and Board of Directors, and ability to work as a member of the District's Senior Management Team.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following Personal Characteristics, Skills and Experience:

A Visionary and Leader Experienced Manager, Strategic Thinker Innovative, Forward Thinking Collaborative Professional and Highly Competent Business, Customer and Results Oriented Open Communicator Committed to Employees

Under the general direction of the General Manager, the Chief of Administrative Services plans, directs, manages and oversees the activities and operations of the Administrative Services Department; oversees the District's Strategic Planning Process, including the development of long-term strategic initiatives.

The Administrative Services Department is responsible for the operations of Human Resources, and Purchasing & Facilities, Safety & Security, Information Technology, and Geographical Information Systems, and has a staff of approximately 24 employees supplemented by outside services and consultants.

Applications will be accepted until there are a sufficient number of highly qualified applicants from which to make a selection. However, for the earliest consideration, please submit your application materials by September 29, 2025.

Examples of Duties:

• Plans, directs, and manages programs for the Administrative Services Department including Human Resources, Purchasing and Facilities Maintenance, Safety and Security, Information Technology, and Geographical Information Systems.
• Manages the development and implementation of the Administrative Services Department's mission statement, goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Oversees the development of the District's strategic plan, including the development of associated strategies, goals and objectives.
• Facilitates the integration of the strategic plan with General Manager's performance objectives.
• Oversees the development of benchmarks and enterprise performance measurement criteria for strategic plan objectives, as well as criteria to measure the success of plan implementation.
• Manages priorities, assignments and workload; establishes appropriate service and staffing levels; and allocates resources accordingly.
• Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; and directs the implementation of changes.
• Represents the Administrative Services Department to other district divisions, government officials, and outside agencies; explains, justifies, and advocates Administrative Services programs, policies, and activities.
• Selects, trains, and evaluates Administrative Services Department personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; provides appropriate recognition for supervisor performance; works with employees to correct deficiencies; and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Manages the development and administration of the Administrative Services budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; directs the monitoring and approval of expenditures; directs, prepares and implements budgetary adjustments as necessary.
• Coordinates Administrative Services Department activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
• Provides staff assistance to the General Manager and Board of Directors. Prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
• Participates on a variety of boards and committees; attends and participates in professional group meetings; and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in related fields.
• Responds to and resolves difficult and sensitive employee and customer inquiries and complaints.
• Drives a vehicle as required that includes driving to District job sites, which may be inaccessible to the public, and other events. May drive Board Members using either District or personal vehicle.

A valid California Driver's License and safe driving record.

Experience: Seven (7) years management level experience in managing central administrative support functions to include areas closely related to the work of the Administrative Service Department.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or a field that is closely related to the work of the Administrative Services Department. Master's degree desirable.

Notice: Benefits listed below assume full-time regular status. These benefits do not apply to temporary appointments. Scheduled salary increases include the following:

• July 1, 2024: 6% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 14, 2025: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• July 13, 2026: 5% Cost-of-Living Adjustment
• Annual Merit Increases: Eligible employees are eligible for 3% merit increase on an annual basis until they reach the top of their salary range, based on meeting expectations on their performance review.

Vacation: 12 days/year, increasing to a max of 23 days/year. Sick Leave: 8 days/year, increasing to max of 15 days/year. Management Leave: 12 days/year. Paid Holidays: 14 days/year, including employee's birthday and two floating holidays. Auto Allowance: $400 per month. Alternative Work Schedule: A 9/80 work schedule may be available based on the needs of the department. Upon approval, employees would work 80 hours over 9 days and enjoy one day off every two weeks. PERS Retirement: The District contracts with the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). CalPERS is a defined benefit retirement plan that includes a lifetime benefit determined by a set formula (years of service, age at retirement, and final compensation). Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act (PEPRA).

Employee Contributions: New Member (hired on or after 1/1/13 who are new CalPERS members or do not have reciprocity with CalPERS): Are enrolled in the 2% at age 62 formula based on the employee's 36 months of highest average annual compensation to a maximum of the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

District and employees share the normal employee CalPERS service contribution cost. Employees contribute 7.5% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost up to the annual compensation limit set by CalPERS.

Classic Member (hired before January 1, 2013 or who have reciprocity with CalPERS): Are enrolled in the 2.7% at age 55 formula based on the employee's single highest year annual compensation. Employees contribute 8% of salary towards the employee CalPERS service contribution cost.

The District is also a Social Security participant and the District and employee make contributions. Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (457 Plan): Optional plan designed to provide employees with additional retirement income. Employees may elect to contribute a portion of their income on a pre-tax or post-tax basis through payroll deductions. Employee contributions for the Deferred Compensation Plan will be matched dollar per dollar up to the maximum amount of $5,000 per calendar year.

Medical/Rx Insurance: Choice of Blue Shield PPO, EPO, HMO or Kaiser HMO plans, 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% for dependent(s). Dental Insurance: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 88% paid for dependent(s). Vision: 100% premium paid by District for employee and 0% for dependent(s). Flexible Benefits Plan: The District offers a healthcare and dependent care flexible benefits plan. The healthcare account reimburses the employee on a pre-tax basis for medical, pharmacy, dental and other related expenses not covered by the insurance plans. The dependent care account allows employees to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

Group Term Life & Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance: 100% premium paid by the District for employee and eligible dependent(s). The Life and AD&D insurance coverage for the employee is two times their annual salary and eligible dependents have Life insurance coverage of $1,000. In addition, executives are also eligible to apply for another portable life insurance program with premiums paid by the District while employed. This portable life insurance program is subject to medical evaluation and rates may change based on the outcome of the medical review.

Executive Physicals: The District will provide reimbursement for Executive Physicals, including some optional procedures if it is determined