Assistant Director - Emergency Services

Self-Help Enterprises (SHE) is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Assistant Director of Emergency Services, helping lead one of California's most innovative and impactful programs addressing domestic well failure, water access inequities, climate resilience, emergency response, and community sustainability.

This executive leadership position operates at the intersection of public policy, emergency services, water resource management, climate adaptation, community development, and environmental justice. The Assistant Director will work alongside the Director of Emergency Services to develop and implement strategies that address some of California's most urgent and complex challenges affecting disadvantaged communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley and beyond.

The Assistant Director will help oversee a diverse portfolio of programs designed to restore and protect access to safe and reliable drinking water, support groundwater sustainability efforts, strengthen community resilience, respond to climate-related emergencies, and advance long-term solutions for vulnerable populations disproportionately impacted by drought, groundwater depletion, water quality concerns, flooding, and other environmental hazards.

This position requires a highly skilled professional capable of navigating complex political, regulatory, and stakeholder environments while balancing competing priorities among local communities, state agencies, elected officials, regulatory entities, water managers, funders, and community-based organizations.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader, strategic thinker, and trusted relationship-builder with demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams, managing complex public funding, developing innovative programs, and advancing solutions in highly visible and politically sensitive environments.

Responsibilities:

• Executive Leadership amp; Strategic Planning

  • Partner with the Director to establish departmental vision, strategic priorities, and organizational goals.
  • Provide executive leadership and operational oversight for a diverse portfolio of programs focused on water access, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, emergency response, and community sustainability.
  • Lead strategic initiatives that advance equitable access to essential services for underserved and disadvantaged communities.
  • Assist in identifying emerging environmental, regulatory, funding, and policy trends that may impact departmental operations and strategic priorities.
  • Serve as a thought partner to executive leadership regarding organizational growth, risk management, and long-term program sustainability.

  Water Access, Climate Resilience amp; Emergency Services Leadership

  • Support the development and implementation of innovative solutions addressing domestic well failure, groundwater depletion, drinking water access, drought impacts, groundwater recharge, water reuse, flood response, and climate adaptation.
  • Assist in coordinating regional and statewide efforts focused on protecting vulnerable communities from environmental and climate-related risks.
  • Provide leadership during emergency response operations and support rapid deployment of resources during disasters and public health emergencies.
  • Help guide the department's response to evolving water access challenges affecting rural and disadvantaged communities.

  Stakeholder Relations amp; Government Affairs

  • Cultivate and maintain productive relationships with federal, state, regional, tribal, local, and community partners.
  • Represent SHE in meetings with regulatory agencies, public officials, groundwater sustainability agencies, water suppliers, funding entities, advocacy organizations, and community stakeholders.
  • Facilitate collaboration among diverse interests and constituencies with varying perspectives and priorities.
  • Support strategic engagement efforts with agencies responsible for water management, environmental protection, emergency response, and community development.
  • Serve as a trusted ambassador for SHE in highly visible public forums, hearings, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.

  Organizational Leadership amp; Staff Development

  • Provide leadership, supervision, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for managers, supervisors, and program staff.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
  • Assist in workforce planning, succession planning, organizational development, and leadership advancement initiatives.
  • Promote effective communication and coordination across departmental teams and organizational divisions.

  Financial Management amp; Resource Development

  • Assist in overseeing departmental budgets, financial planning, grant administration, contract management, and fiscal compliance.
  • Identify and pursue funding opportunities that support departmental growth and program sustainability.
  • Support development of competitive grant proposals and strategic funding initiatives.
  • Monitor program expenditures, performance outcomes, and financial risks to ensure responsible stewardship of public and private resources.

  Program Oversight amp; Performance Management

  • Ensure programs are implemented effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with contractual, regulatory, and funding requirements.
  • Establish performance metrics and evaluate program outcomes to support continuous improvement and organizational learning.
  • Utilize data-driven decision-making to strengthen service delivery and demonstrate measurable community impact.
  • Prepare executive-level reports, briefings, and presentations for leadership, funders, policymakers, and stakeholders.

  Risk Management amp; Regulatory Compliance

  • Assist in identifying organizational, operational, financial, and reputational risks.
  • Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, grant requirements, contracts, and organizational policies.
  • Support development of policies, procedures, and internal controls that promote operational excellence and accountability.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Environmental Science, Emergency Management, Planning, Public Policy, Business Administration, Engineering, Natural Resources, Water Resources Management, or a closely related field. A Master's degree is highly desirable, or seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership, management, program administration, public policy, or executive-level experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years supervising professional staff and managing complex programs or departments.
• Demonstrated experience administering public grants, contracts, and multi-million-dollar budgets.
• Experience working within highly regulated environments involving public agencies, governmental funding, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement.
• Experience navigating politically sensitive issues and balancing competing stakeholder interests.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess knowledge and experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Drinking water access and water system development
• Domestic well mitigation and groundwater sustainability
• Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation
• Groundwater recharge and water reuse
• Climate adaptation and resilience planning
• Emergency management and disaster recovery
• Environmental justice and community engagement
• Public infrastructure development
• State and federal funding programs
• Water policy and regulatory frameworks
• Community development and affordable housing initiatives

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid California driver's license and current automobile liability insurance.
• Access to a reliable vehicle for work-related travel.
• Willingness to travel throughout and outside of SHE's service area.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to participate in field-based activities and emergency response efforts when needed.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER