Director of Engineering

Salary: $20,440.00 - $26,901.00 Monthly
Location : 75515 Hovley Lane East, Palm Desert, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2020-00491
Department: Administration
Division: Administration
Opening Date: 03/03/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Job Summary
Director of Engineering

Annual Salary: $245,280 - $322,812 DOE/DOQ, plus a generous benefits package.
This position will be open until filled, with a first application review date of March 30, 2026.
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The is seeking a Director of Engineering, this key executive leader responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all functions and activities of the Engineering Department for a diverse water and wastewater utility agency. Reporting directly to the General Manager, this position provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for engineering, surveying, development services, right-of-way management, and technical support functions that drive the District's comprehensive Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

This department director role oversees both short- and long-term planning, policy development, and operational implementation to ensure infrastructure and facilities projects are delivered efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with District goals. The Director is accountable for managing complex capital programs, administering consultant contracts, guiding land development services, supporting rate and financial analyses in partnership with Finance, and ensuring integration of new infrastructure into ongoing operations.

As a trusted advisor to the General Manager and Board of Directors, the Director of Engineering represents the District in meetings with elected officials, regulatory agencies, developers, contractors, and community stakeholders. The position requires balancing strategic vision with hands-on operational oversight, providing leadership to management, professional, and technical staff while fostering a high-performance, customer-focused culture.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and forward-thinking engineering professional with deep expertise in public infrastructure, capital program delivery, regulatory compliance, and contract administration. This is an opportunity to lead critical infrastructure investments, modernize engineering services, and shape the long-term reliability and sustainability of the District's utility systems.
TITLE: Director of Engineering

SRN U34: $20,440 - $26,901 Monthly, Exempt

Non-Represented/At-Will/Confidential

DEPARTMENT: Administration
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP:
Reports to: Receives administrative direction from the General Manager.
Supervises the following positions: Exercises direct supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision.

Promotional opportunity procedures will include the following: Review of minimum qualifications Review of personnel file, including but not limited: attendance history, disciplinary history, and performance evaluationsTesting/ AssessmentsOral Interview(s)

DEFINITION


Under administrative direction, plans, organizes, manages, and provides administrative direction and oversight for all functions and activities of the Engineering Department including those supporting the implementation of a comprehensive capital improvement program for a diverse water/wastewater utility agency encompassing all infrastructure and facilities projects; formulates departmental policies, goals, and directives; coordinates assigned activities with other District departments, officials, outside agencies, and the public; fosters cooperative working relationships among District departments and with intergovernmental, regulatory agencies, and various public and private groups; provides highly responsible and complex professional assistance to the General Manager in areas of expertise; and performs related work as required.

Essential Functions

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Assumes full management responsibility for all Engineering Department programs, services, and activities which contribute to the District's capital improvement program for its infrastructure and facilities; areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, engineering, surveying, development services, and supporting technical services.
• Develops, directs, and coordinates the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; continuously monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors the distribution of work, support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs the implementation of change.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and works with executive and management team members to ensure a high performance, customer service-oriented work environment, consistent with sound management principles and District mission and values.
• Manages and participates in the development and administration of the department's budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs and implements budgetary adjustments, as necessary.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and directs department personnel; evaluates and reviews work for acceptability and conformance with department standards, including program and project priorities and performance evaluations; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures; responds to staff questions and concerns.
• Monitors legal, regulatory, technology, and societal changes and court decisions that may affect the work of the department; determines equipment acquisition, training programs, and procedural changes to ensure retention of qualified staff and the provision of services to the community in an effective, efficient, and economical manner.
• Oversees the development of consultant requests for proposals for professional services and the advertising and bid processes; evaluates proposals and recommends project award; coordinates with legal counsel to determine District needs and requirements for contractual services; negotiates contracts and agreements and administers same after award.
• Directs the preparation and administration of the long-term and annual Capital Improvement Program; provides administrative review and control over capital programs/projects; monitors design and construction progress; oversees budget and contract administration; and ensures the integration of new facilities into the operating functions of the District.
• Develops and manages the District's right-of-way programs and encroachment permitting system; directs the survey and computer aided drafting (CAD) of District assets.
• Directs the District's land development services operations; coordinates with developers to ensure projects comply with District land development and design criteria; prepares developer agreements; and updates the development design manual.
• Develops and directs the technical and engineering support for District rates and changes in partnership with the Finance department.
• Represents the department to other District departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; explains and interprets departmental programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves significant and controversial issues.
• Conducts a variety of departmental organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to programs, policies, and procedures as appropriate.
• Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Directors and a wide variety of committees, boards, and commissions; attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering.
• Directs the maintenance of working and official departmental files; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the General Manager.
• Responds to public inquiries and complaints and assists with resolutions and alternative recommendations; serves as a spokesperson for the department at a variety of community events, meetings, and other public relations activities.
• Observes and complies with all District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols, and ensures staff do the same.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil engineering.

Experience: Eight (8) years of broad and extensive experience in developing and implementing comprehensive engineering and development projects and programs. Five (5) years in a demonstrated increasing responsible supervisory experience or management experience capacity.

Licenses and Certifications: Possession of a valid California Driver's License, to be maintained throughout employment. Possession of a valid California Professional Engineer certificate, to be maintained throughout employment.
Knowledge of:

• Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting, program development, implementation, and evaluation and supervision of staff, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision.
• Principles and practices of leadership.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• Principles and practices of capital improvement program development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of strategic plan development.
• Principles and practices of budget administration.
• Principles and practices of contract management.
• General principles of risk management related to the functions of the assigned area.
• Principles, practices and procedures of public administration in a municipal setting.
• Functions, authority, and responsibilities of an elected Board of Directors.
• Principles and practices of civil engineering with emphasis on water and wastewater utilities infrastructure and facilities development.
• Principles, practices, and applications of survey, right-of-way, easements, and encroachment permitting as they relate to the District's infrastructure, facilities, and construction projects.
• Principles, practices, specifications, materials, equipment, and techniques involved in the construction and operation of a large water, wastewater, and irrigation district.
• Methods and techniques of developing technical and administrative reports, and business correspondence.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned areas of responsibility.
• District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and District staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.

Ability to:

• Develop and implement goals, objectives, practices, policies, procedures, and work standards.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership for the department.
• Prepare and administer large and complex budgets; allocate limited resources in a cost-effective manner.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate the work of management, supervisory, professional, and technical personnel, delegate authority and responsibility.
• Select and supervise staff, provide training and development opportunities, ensure work is performed effectively, and evaluate performance in an objective and positive manner.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Effectively administer special projects with contractual agreements and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• Plan, direct, manage, and implement the District's capital improvement program goals and strategic objectives.
• Effectively represent the District and the department in meetings with governmental agencies, contractors, vendors, and various businesses, professional, regulatory, and legislative organizations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective technical staff reports.
• Direct the establishment of filing, record-keeping, and tracking systems.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

The Coachella Valley Water District provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefits package ensuring employees have many options to meet their healthcare, wellness and/or retirement savings goals. Providing employees with flexibility and support for all the different stages of life. Employees may pay some portion of their benefit premium costs based on the provisions of their labor-negotiated Memorandums of Understanding (MOU's) and the level of coverage they select. Additional information regarding CVWD employee benefits is available at