Assistant Director of Public Works-Utilities

Assistant Director of Public Works-Utilities

DEADLINE TO APPLY: 11:59PM on Friday, June 5, 2026.

The City of Hayward seeks a collaborative and team-oriented candidate with sound technical and professional experience to serve as the Assistant Director of Public Works-Utilities, overseeing the City's wastewater collection and treatment, water distribution groundwater management and recycled water systems. The ideal candidate is a working manager with a proven track record of excellent leadership skills, and with a firm commitment to superior service, regulatory compliance, staff development, and community responsiveness. Hayward places a high priority on providing customer service for all its customers.

The Assistant Director of Public Works-Utilities is responsible for all Utilities Division activities, including water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water, and groundwater ("One Water"). Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the Assistant Director exercises direct and indirect supervision of management, professional, technical, field maintenance and administrative personnel in the functional areas of the Utilities Division.

THE COMMUNITY

The City of Hayward, with a population of 162,000, is strategically located at the epicenter of the San Francisco Bay Area. Encompassing 61 square miles, Hayward is located in Alameda County, on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay, 25 miles southeast of San Francisco. Hayward is the sixth-largest municipality in the Bay Area and a thriving regional center of commerce, manufacturing, and trade. With three international airports—Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose—within 25 minutes, its own general aviation airport, two Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stops, a central Amtrak station, and Union Pacific freight rail, Hayward is perhaps the most connected city in the region. Known as the "Heart of the Bay," Hayward has capitalized on its unparalleled location, relative affordability, and a wide range of quality-of-life benefits that catch the eye of young professionals, families, and major developers.

THE POSITION

The Assistant Director of Public Works-Utilities is responsible for all Utilities Division activities, including water distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, recycled water, and groundwater ("One Water"). Reporting to the Director of Public Works, the Assistant Director exercises direct and indirect supervision of management, professional, technical, field maintenance and administrative personnel in the functional areas of the Utilities Division.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The next Assistant Public Works Director - Utilities will have the opportunity to lead several exciting and challenging efforts, including:

• Development of a "One Water Plan" to integrate water supply planning and reliability.
• Construction of a nearly $500M wastewater plant improvements project at the Water Resource Recovery Facility, including a nature-based solution component
• Expansion of the City's Recycled Water Program, including for industrial uses
• Implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan
• Expansion of the City's nationally-recognized and award-winning Renewable Energy Program

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE IS: In addition to leadership skills, a strong work ethic and commitment to customer service, the incoming Assistant Director must also have the ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct the work of staff to achieve efficient operations and meet the City's goals. This position requires knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering as it pertains to water and wastewater, hydrology, hydraulics, and hydrogeology, along with knowledge of wastewater and water treatment processes and master plan development for public utility systems. Experience in developing capital and operating budgets is desirable. Qualified candidates will possess a Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, or environmental engineering from an accredited college or university along with five (5) years of progressively responsible supervisory and administrative experience as a senior-level engineer or related position with a public agency or private firm, with a focus on water resources, water distribution or wastewater collection and treatment, including three (3) years at the management level. A Master's degree is desirable. Candidates must possess a California Professional Engineer license at the time of appointment.