Jennifer Powers
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The Position
The Assistant Director of Water‑Gas‑Wastewater (WGW) Engineering & Operations will be responsible for overseeing WGW field operations and engineering and is tasked with managing construction, capital improvement projects (CIP), operations, engineering, maintenance, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) of the WGW systems for performance, quality, cost, and safety. This position oversees a unit of 100 employees and two direct reports. The total WGW budget for FY26 is $179 million, encompassing all divisions, including Administration and Resource Management, with $98 million allocated specifically to WGW Education and Outreach (E&O). The ideal candidate will effectively build and develop teams, motivate staff, set objectives to meet critical project deadlines, and have a strong technical background in WGW system operations. This position is an important part of the leadership team to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable services to utility customers. We invite you to join an amazing organization and be a part of a leadership team where you can make a difference in the lives of Palo Alto’s residents and businesses. The Ideal Candidate
The Assistant Director of Utilities WGW Engineering & Operations will be customer service oriented and have exceptional leadership skills to build and develop teams, motivate staff, and set objectives to meet critical project deadlines. This candidate will have a background in distribution system operations, engineering, project management, and budget development and management. The ideal candidate will work effectively with other utilities divisions and city departments to ensure effective coordination of related construction and maintenance projects, and champion collaboration. We are looking for an excellent communicator who is transparent, innovative, and enterprising. The next Assistant Director will also… Provide long-term strategic planning for the division. Be a relationship builder and politically savvy. Create strong relationships with other business units and partner agencies. Have the ability to shift focus when priorities change. Manage emergency situations with tact. Be a problem-solver. Address operational and environmental challenges. Be a strong decision-maker. Focus on training and developing staff. Prepare clear, concise technical and budgetary reports. Have knowledge of WGW SCADA systems, dispatch procedures, routing, and emergency conditions. Have operational knowledge of construction, maintenance, field practices, etc. Review engineering plans and make recommendations as they relate to field problems. Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and eight years of related experience, including five years of management-level experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Master’s degree is preferred. Registration as an Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineer in the State of California is preferred. Licensing Requirements: Depending on the area of assignment, some positions may require one or more of the following: Valid California Driver’s License. Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $236,891.20 - $315,848.00 annually. Placement within this range is dependent upon the qualifications. The City also provides a competitive benefits package described here including but not limited to: Flexible: 9/80 schedule Retirement: CalPERS 2% @ 60 for Classic; 2% @ 62 for New Members Deferred Compensation: City matches employee contributions to approved 457 plans up to $4,000 per year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and AD&D Insurance Vacation, Management Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Sick Leave, Holidays Commuter Benefits and annual Day of Recognition Gold Standard Employee Assistance Program Pilot Childcare and Educational Benefits Additional details: the City provides various voluntary benefits; see the full benefits description. To Apply
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please contact: Jenna Flanagan (916) 304-6663 jenna@jpowersinc.com Filing Deadline: August 17, 2025. The City of Palo Alto is an equal-opportunity employer.
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The Assistant Director of Water‑Gas‑Wastewater (WGW) Engineering & Operations will be responsible for overseeing WGW field operations and engineering and is tasked with managing construction, capital improvement projects (CIP), operations, engineering, maintenance, and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) of the WGW systems for performance, quality, cost, and safety. This position oversees a unit of 100 employees and two direct reports. The total WGW budget for FY26 is $179 million, encompassing all divisions, including Administration and Resource Management, with $98 million allocated specifically to WGW Education and Outreach (E&O). The ideal candidate will effectively build and develop teams, motivate staff, set objectives to meet critical project deadlines, and have a strong technical background in WGW system operations. This position is an important part of the leadership team to ensure the delivery of safe and reliable services to utility customers. We invite you to join an amazing organization and be a part of a leadership team where you can make a difference in the lives of Palo Alto’s residents and businesses. The Ideal Candidate
The Assistant Director of Utilities WGW Engineering & Operations will be customer service oriented and have exceptional leadership skills to build and develop teams, motivate staff, and set objectives to meet critical project deadlines. This candidate will have a background in distribution system operations, engineering, project management, and budget development and management. The ideal candidate will work effectively with other utilities divisions and city departments to ensure effective coordination of related construction and maintenance projects, and champion collaboration. We are looking for an excellent communicator who is transparent, innovative, and enterprising. The next Assistant Director will also… Provide long-term strategic planning for the division. Be a relationship builder and politically savvy. Create strong relationships with other business units and partner agencies. Have the ability to shift focus when priorities change. Manage emergency situations with tact. Be a problem-solver. Address operational and environmental challenges. Be a strong decision-maker. Focus on training and developing staff. Prepare clear, concise technical and budgetary reports. Have knowledge of WGW SCADA systems, dispatch procedures, routing, and emergency conditions. Have operational knowledge of construction, maintenance, field practices, etc. Review engineering plans and make recommendations as they relate to field problems. Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field and eight years of related experience, including five years of management-level experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job. Master’s degree is preferred. Registration as an Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineer in the State of California is preferred. Licensing Requirements: Depending on the area of assignment, some positions may require one or more of the following: Valid California Driver’s License. Compensation & Benefits
The salary range for this position is $236,891.20 - $315,848.00 annually. Placement within this range is dependent upon the qualifications. The City also provides a competitive benefits package described here including but not limited to: Flexible: 9/80 schedule Retirement: CalPERS 2% @ 60 for Classic; 2% @ 62 for New Members Deferred Compensation: City matches employee contributions to approved 457 plans up to $4,000 per year Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and AD&D Insurance Vacation, Management Leave, Paid Parental Leave, Sick Leave, Holidays Commuter Benefits and annual Day of Recognition Gold Standard Employee Assistance Program Pilot Childcare and Educational Benefits Additional details: the City provides various voluntary benefits; see the full benefits description. To Apply
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please contact: Jenna Flanagan (916) 304-6663 jenna@jpowersinc.com Filing Deadline: August 17, 2025. The City of Palo Alto is an equal-opportunity employer.
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