Environmental Services Administrator, Water Resources & Planning ($148,548 – $207,396)

The Community

The Coachella Valley (Valley) has nine diverse cities: Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Desert Hot Springs, Indio, and Coachella, as well as portions of unincorporated Riverside County that have their own unique histories and personalities. The Valley is an alluring destination for both residents and tourists alike with year-round sunshine, low cost of living, and a variety of cultural activities. Lush golf courses, sensory spa treatments, excellent dining options, natural beauty, and an exciting nightlife combine to make the ultimate resort experience. The Valley is more than a destination, it has its own distinct vibe and lifestyle.

The Valley is a desert in Southern California which extends approximately 45 miles in Riverside County, southeast from the San Bernardino Mountains to the northern shore of the Salton Sea. It is approximately 15 miles wide along most of its length and is surrounded by scenic, rugged mountains. To the north is Mount San Gorgonio; on the north and the east, the Little San Bernardino Mountains; to the west, the San Jacinto Mountains; to the south, the Santa Rosa Mountains; and to the east in the distance, the Chocolate Mountains.

With more than 350 days of sunshine per year and the warmest winters in the western US, the Valley is recognized as the golf, tennis, and polo capital of the West. Recreational hiking and horseback riding are popular in the many accessible canyon and mountain areas. The Valley draws a significant numbers of leisure travelers with its variety of attractions and special events.

 

The Coachella Valley Water District

Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) is unique in that it provides several water-related services:

• Domestic water
• Wastewater Treatment
• Recycled (Nonpotable) water
• Agricultural Irrigation & Drainage (Canal Water)
• Stormwater Protection and Flood Control
• Groundwater Replenishment and imported Water
• Water Conservation

 

CVWD has a rich history that dates back to 1918. All drinking water comes from a vast aquifer, and CVWD imports Colorado River water via a 123-mile canal for agricultural and golf course irrigation. Groundwater replenishment occurs at three facilities. CVWD was among the original signatories to the Party of Seven Agreement of 1931, which divided California’s share of Colorado River water. CVWD is a State Water Contractor with an entitlement that, when combined with that of neighboring Desert Water Agency, is the equivalent of the third-largest entitlement in the state. Only one other agency in California has entitlements to Colorado River and State Water Project water.

CVWD’s mission is “To meet the water related needs of the people through dedicated employees providing high quality water at reasonable cost.” CVWD has offices located in the cities of Palm Desert and Coachella and has nearly 1,000 square miles within its boundaries. Most of the service area is in Riverside County, but CVWD also extends into Imperial and San Diego counties. A governing five-member Board of Directors is elected from five geographic divisions for four-year terms.

This fiscal year, CVWD has $165.6 million budgeted for capital projects and $300 million for operating and maintenance. Currently, CVWD has a staff of more than 560. For more information, please visit www.cvwd.org.

 

The Department

The Environmental Services Department’s mission is: Providing professional environmental services that protect water quality and availability, achieves sustainable groundwater supplies, provides sound environmental compliance, and natural resources protection.

Its core values are:

• Exceptional customer service
• Efficient business practices
• Cost effective, sustainable, reliable solutions
• Collaboration
• Comprehensive communication
• Commitment
• Accountability
• Integrity

 

The Environmental Services Department is responsible for water quality and groundwater replenishment monitoring and reporting, including oversight of a state-certified laboratory. The Department also manages biological resources and environmental permitting programs.

The Environmental Services Department is organized into six divisions that develop and implement programs to comply with local, state, and federal regulations protecting water quality and environmental resources. The divisions are:

• Environmental
• Water Quality
• Laboratory
• Monitoring
• Source Control
• Water Resources

 

The Department has 30 FTEs with a $9.3 million FY2025 budget.

 

The Opportunity

CVWD is looking for an engaging and professional water resource and planning professional who has a desire to be a part of a collaborative and respectful department. Reporting to the Director of Environmental Services, the Environmental Services Administrator – Water Resources and Planning directs, manages and oversees assigned environmental services programs in water resources and planning and associated policies and procedures with District-wide impact. The Environmental Services Administrator – Water Resources and Planning also acts as a liaison with public and private organizations and regulatory agencies to support the District’s objectives related to environmental services.

The next Environmental Services Administrator – Water Resources and Planning will:

• Develop, implement, monitor, and report District groundwater replenishment and water rights programs.
• Work with private well operators to locate and inventory water wells to measure and report groundwater production as part of the District’s Replenishment Assessment Charge (RAC) Program.
• Administer the following: Artesian Well Rebate Program, State Well Numbering Program, and Source Control Program.
• Coordinate the District’s compliance with the State’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).
• Manage the District’s evaluation of expanding groundwater replenishment activities in the mid and east portions of the Coachella Valley.
• Manage the District’s participation in the Coachella Valley Salt and Nutrient Manage Plan Update and Groundwater Monitoring Program. The Environmental Services Administrator – Water Resources and Planning has three direct reports.

 

The Ideal Candidate

Coachella Valley Water District has widely been regarded as an outstanding, multi-faceted agency. The Environmental Services Department is committed to innovation and proactively seeking new ways to continuously improve staff and processes.

The ideal candidate for the Environmental Services Administrator – Water Resources and Planning position will be someone who thrives in an open-door environment, is not afraid to ask questions and actively listens to other’s viewpoints and ideas. The ideal candidate will enjoy balancing the needs of the job while fostering multi-generational staff development.

Top areas of focus include:

• SGMA Plan Update – Oversee the update every five years. Ensure that the District is well-versed of technical and other requirements.
• Representing District – Interact and collaborate with the State Water Resources Board, other governmental agencies and other stakeholders.
• Leadership – Cross train and empower staff. Hold management meetings and foster an open and dynamic work environment.
• Innovation – Continue to focus on innovation and introduce new ideas to the Department.

 

The ideal candidate will be professional, interactive with other government agencies, and have attention to detail. This candidate will also be familiar with the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), Salt and Nutrient Management Planning (SNMP), public drinking water systems, surface and groundwater rights, groundwater replenishment, stormwater management, sewage collection and treatment, recycled water/reuse, and disposal.

 

Education, Experience, and Certifications

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:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in engineering, geology, hydrogeology, biology, environmental science, natural resources management, or other job relevant field; AND
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in activities related to water quality management, water resources management, wastewater source control management, or professional geological, hydrogeological, or engineering experience. This position requires a minimum of five (5) years of direct managerial/supervisory experience.
• Certification as a Professional Hydrogeologist or registration as a Professional CE is a plus. Possession of a valid California Driver’s License, to be maintained throughout employment. Candidates from both the public and private sector are encouraged to apply.

 

Compensation

The annual salary range is $148,548 to $207,396 and will be dependent upon the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate. In addition, benefits are provided which include: health insurance; life insurance; participation in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System; holidays (8 observed per year); vacation leave (also vacation cash-in-lieu); sick leave; floating holidays, educational reimbursement; Deferred Compensation programs.