Director of Water Quality

Director of Water Quality San Jose Water Company - 4.4 San Jose, CA Job Details Full-time $199,000 - $243,000 a year 1 hour ago Qualifications Incident investigation techniques for hazard identification Data integrity assurance Water sampling data analysis Data quality checks Customer communication Water treatment systems Program management Microbiology Investigations regulatory compliance Defect resolution root cause analysis Incident management Environmental chemistry Team leadership Operations coordination Environmental regulatory compliance report Microbiological water quality analysis Environmental compliance Water treatment operator team supervision Water treatment regulatory compliance Driver's License Public utility experience Data quality monitoring Incident management operations support Laboratory quality control Environmental law compliance support Interdisciplinary policy and procedure development Environmental monitoring Chemical analysis Spill response Root cause analysis Full Job Description | Requisition ID req1133 Type of Employment Regular Full-Time Employee | Job Openings 1 Compensation Range 199,000.00 - 243,000.00 | Compensation Type Annual Salary Founded in 1866, San Jose Water Company is an investor owned water company headquartered in Silicon Valley. With a service area of 140 square miles, it is one of the largest and most technically sophisticated urban water system in the United States. We serve over 1 million people with high quality, life sustaining water, with an emphasis on exceptional customer service. We are actively seeking talented, driven and highly-productive applicants for the position of Director of Water Quality to join our dynamic team. We offer a challenging and rewarding work environment along with a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package. Position Summary Under the general direction of the VP of Operations, the Director of Water Quality is the regulatory and technical authority for drinking water quality and environmental compliance for San Jose Water Company. The Director is accountable for regulatory compliance, monitoring and reporting, laboratory oversight, incident response, corrective action, and water quality program performance across source, treatment, and distribution systems. As a Department head, the incumbent organizes, directs and administers department activities and formulates and implements operating policies and procedures within general administrative guidelines; performs other related work as required. Specific Responsibilities Serves as the designated technical and regulatory authority for drinking water quality and environmental compliance matters Provides regulatory interpretation and decision‑making for applicable federal, state, and local drinking water and environmental regulations Acts as the primary technical liaison with regulatory agencies, government officials, and external stakeholders Oversees water quality standards, monitoring programs, and compliance strategies for source water, treatment, and distribution systems Directs water quality sampling programs and laboratory operations, including data quality assurance and regulatory defensibility Ensures timely, accurate, and complete regulatory monitoring, reporting, and compliance documentation Oversees Environmental Quality programs, including contaminant investigations, spill response, and environmental permitting Provides executive oversight of the Cross‑Connection Control program, including regulatory interpretation, enforcement authority, and compliance delivery Ensures coordination between Water Quality, Environmental Quality, and Operations while maintaining regulatory independence Develops, implements, and maintains water quality and environmental policies, procedures, and compliance strategies Prepares and manages program budgets, performance reporting, and regulatory analyses Leads, mentors, and evaluates Water Quality staff, including managers, supervisors, and technical personnel Communicates complex water quality issues clearly and effectively to executive leadership, regulators, and customers Performs other related duties as required. Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities Extensive knowledge of federal, state, and local drinking water quality and environmental regulations, including compliance monitoring, reporting, and enforcement processes Demonstrated ability to interpret regulatory requirements and apply sound technical judgment to compliance and risk‑based decisions Strong understanding of drinking water treatment, storage, and distribution systems and associated water quality risks Knowledge of water chemistry, microbiology, and analytical testing methods relevant to drinking water and environmental compliance Experience overseeing water quality monitoring programs, laboratory operations, and data quality assurance Ability to lead response to water quality and environmental incidents, including investigation, root‑cause analysis, corrective action development, and regulatory communication Skill in developing, implementing, and maintaining water quality and environmental policies, procedures, and compliance strategies Ability to manage complex, high‑visibility regulatory issues with accuracy, transparency, and sound professional judgment Strong leadership and people‑management skills, including the ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams Ability to plan, prioritize, and manage multiple programs and regulatory obligations simultaneously Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical and regulatory issues clearly to regulators, leadership, and customers Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in engineering, chemistry, biology, environmental science, or a closely related field Minimum of eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in drinking water quality, environmental compliance, or related utility operations, including regulatory compliance and oversight responsibilities Minimum of four (4) years of experience supervising or leading professional and technical staff Advanced degree (e.g., Master's, P.E., or PhD) in a relevant scientific, engineering, or environmental discipline is desirable Must possess or make satisfactory progress toward possession of the following California Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking Water certifications: o Distribution Operator Grade D2 o Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2 Demonstrated experience serving as a technical or regulatory authority for drinking water quality compliance. Other Requirements Must possess a valid California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record. EEO Statement Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.