General DescriptionThe District: Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environme ntally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
IRWD Corporate Values
Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
The Position:
The candidate will receive direction from the Executive Director of Water Policy and will directly supervise professional and technical staff. They are responsible for the management of the District’s recycled water customer development, inspection and testing, cross connection control, and backflow prevention programs. These programs are key components of the District’s efforts to reduce demands on imported water supplies, protect its water supply systems, comply with regulatory and permit requirements, and demonstrate leadership in water resources management.
For the full job description and responsibilities of the position, please click here.
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.
The deadline for the first review of applications is 8:00 AM on Monday, December 9, 2024. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.
Essential Duties and ResponsibilitiesManagement reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Manage and direct assigned staff in all aspects of the District’s recycled water customer development, inspection and testing, cross connection control, and backflow prevention programs.
Provide leadership in the development and implementation of the District’s Cross Connection Control Plan in compliance with state requirements.
Manage staff efforts in conducting cross connection hazard assessments across the District.
Effectively and regularly communicate with senior management and the Board of Directors on program activity.
Provide support to the District’s customer education and marketing efforts on the importance of wise and appropriate use of recycled water.
Manage and direct staff in the review of project plans for compliance with IRWD’s Rules, Regulations and Procedural Guidelines.
Provide a lead role in coordinating the District’s water recycling activities with wholesale water agencies and other governmental agencies.
Attend public meetings on behalf of the District, occasionally on nights and weekends.
Assist the General Manager’s office in monitoring and promoting state and federal legislation affecting recycled water and related programs.
Comply with safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
Minimum Education, Training and ExperienceAny 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:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in education, public relations, public administration, business, economics, marketing, horticulture, engineering, science, environmental field, or related field. Master’s degree in any of the above-mentioned fields is highly desirable.
Experience:
Five (5) years in project management, recycled water inspection and testing, recycled water customer development projects, cross connection and/or backflow prevention related fields, with at least two (2) years of those years in supervisory/management capacity.
Knowledge of :
- Basic principles and practices of program and project management.
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices pertinent to the assigned area of responsibility.
- District and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Principles and practices of leadership.
- Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
- Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration.
Ability to :
- Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
- Develop and implement effective technical training programs and presentations for staff.
- Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, documentation, and other written materials.
- Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
- Use tact, initiative, prudence, and judgment within general policy and procedural guidelines.
- Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments.
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax with all levels of office/field employees and management
- Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
- Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
- Ability to perform in a fast-paced, team-oriented, continuously changing, customer service environment.
- Ability to explain, demonstrate and clarify to others within well-established policies, procedures and standards, as well as the ability to follow specific instructions and respond to simple and difficult requests from others.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages, fractions and decimals.
License/Certifications Required :
Valid Class C California driver's license.
Backflow Prevention Device Tester and Cross Connection Control Specialist Certifications are desirable.
Additional InformationPHYSICAL DEMANDS Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials, a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone; ability to stand and walk between work areas is required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate instruments and standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and the environment. Occasional visits to construction sites where noise level may be higher than typical office environment.
IMPORTANT APPLICATION INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTION All applicants are required to complete and submit a District application form online and answer the supplemental questionnaire. Stating "See Resume" is not an acceptable substitute for a completed application. Resumes or faxed copies will not be accepted in lieu of the District online application. To apply, click on the "Apply" link located at the top of this page.
New users must create an account first. Click on this link for instructions on how to set up your account and apply for the first time: Online Employment Application Guide
Applications will be reviewed by the Human Resources Department and the subject matter expert. Those applicants possessing the most pertinent qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process, which will include:
Spark Hire Assessment (tentatively scheduled for December 11-16, 2024) : a one-way video interview, evaluating the candidates' ability to convey their training and experience.
Oral Interview Examination (tentatively scheduled for January 7, 2025) : will evaluate the candidates' experience, training, education, and abilities in relation to those factors which are essential for successful performance on the job.
Communication regarding your application and/or status will be sent to the email address listed on your application. Please check your email regularly throughout the recruitment process as you will not receive communications by any other method.
Equal Opportunity Employer Irvine Ranch Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you consider yourself a person with a disability, you may contact the Human Resources Department for a reasonable accommodation.
IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; anda variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive,and may not be applicable to all employees.
Retirement Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.
Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.
IRWDdoes not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.
Medical InsuranceIRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Dental InsuranceIRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage.IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Vision InsuranceIRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Life InsuranceElgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Deferred CompensationParticipation in adeferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.
Paid VacationEligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.
Paid HolidaysThe District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.
Sick LeaveEligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.
Flexible Spending AccountsEligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.
Educational AssistanceThe District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.