Director of Human Resources

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. The mission of the Water Authority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to its 24 member agencies supporting the region's $268 billion economy and 3.3 million residents. The Water Authority is executing a long-term strategy to ensure the region’s water reliability for generations to come by diversifying the region's water supplies through dynamic leadership, strategic planning, and prudent fiscal policies. Thanks to the decades-long diversification strategy, the Water Authority’s management of the region's water portfolio has been recognized as model for preparedness and water supply resiliency.

The Water Authority is seeking an innovative and experienced Director of Human Resources who will provide strategic leadership and direction for the agency’s human resource functions. The position reports to the General Manager’s office and is responsible for the direct supervision of department staff. The position provides advice and counsel to department managers and leaders related to human resources matters. The position is expected to provide expert knowledge and serve as a vital member of various project teams throughout the agency.

The Water Authority recently embarked on an organizational culture change that earned consecutive top workplaces annual awards. The Director of Human Resources will continue to focus on enhancing organizational culture, inclusion and equity, and fostering a culture that welcomes diverse voices.

The Director of Human Resources exercises significant authority and independence in implementing a broad range of initiatives in coordination with Water Authority executives and managers. This position has overall responsibility for all functions of the Department and for developing, implementing, and interpreting policy. Responsibilities include performing diverse, specialized, and complex work involving significant accountability and decision-making responsibility. The incumbent organizes and oversees day-to-day activities and is responsible for providing professional-level support to the General Manager's Office in a variety of areas.

To read more about the position and ideal candidate profile, view the full Recruitment Brochure. (Download PDF reader)

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination or experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public administration, human resources, organizational development, business administration, psychology or closely related field supplemented by ten years of increasingly responsible human resource management experience, including five years in a supervisory role and three years in the public sector, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

A Master's degree in Public Administration or a closely related field is highly desirable. Experience with public sector labor relations is highly desirable. A Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR from SHRM) or an IPMA-HR Senior Certified Professional (IPMA-SCP) credential is highly desirable.

To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application, resume and cover letter through the San Diego County Water Authority's website, www.sdcwa.org, by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

All application materials will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this posting. Highly qualified candidates with the most relevant qualifications will be invited to continue in the selection process. The process may consist of an oral board interview and/or other appropriate assessment methods.

The Water Authority would like to have the successful candidate in place as soon as possible. If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact Patricia Duran, Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.

Health Insurance: The Water Authority maintains three employee health plan options, inclusive of dental and vision. Currently, the "basic" plan is the Kaiser HMO plan and the "premium" plans are the Aetna HMO and PPO Healthcare plans. All medical plans feature a chiropractic benefit. Employees and eligible dependents are covered through Delta Dental Premier for dental services, and Aetna EyeMed for vision services. Employees pay 50% of the cost that exceeds the "basic" medical plan family coverage premium (which is paid 100% by the Water Authority). All health benefits are effective on the first of the month following date of hire. Employees who waive Water Authority medical, dental, and vision benefits receive $41.66 per month, deposited into a Flexible Spending Account and $42.33 per month deposited into the deferred compensation plan.

Retirement: All regular Water Authority employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire. Additional benefits are provided in accordance with the Water Authority's CalPERS contract.

Classic (Hired on or before December 31, 2012)
2.5% @ 55
8.0% Employee Contribution
1 Year Final Compensation Period

New Members (Hired on or after January 1, 2013)
2% @ 62
6.75% Employee Contribution
3 Year Final Compensation Period

• Membership Category - CalPERS will identify each new member as either a "Classic" or a "New" member of the system based on the prior work history of the individual.

Classic Member: New employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the Water Authority will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula and contribute 8% of salary to CalPERS. CalPERS contract provisions for "Classic" members include:

New Members: As defined by the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA), "New Members" have never been a member of any California public retirement system, were hired by a CalPERS agency after January 1, 2013, moved between public retirement systems lacking reciprocity, or moved between employers in the same public retirement system with a break in service of more than six months. New members are enrolled in the 2% @ 62 benefit formula and contribute 6.75% of salary to CalPERS. CalPERS contract provisions for "New Members" include:

The Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 has set compensation limits for "Classic members" and "New members" for retirement calculations. These limitations have been placed on the reportable annual earnings each calendar year and are adjusted on an annual basis.

Social Security / Medicare: Employees are covered under the provisions of Federal Social Security (OASDI) and Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI). The total employee contribution is 7.65% of salary. Employees of the Water Authority do not pay into State Disability Insurance (SDI).

401(a) Incentive Retirement Plan: The Water Authority contributes $1,500 per calendar year to a 401(a) incentive retirement plan. 401(a) participants are required to make a mandatory contribution to the plan in the following amounts: 3%, 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20%. Eligible employees must make a one-time, irrevocable election to this plan at time of hire with the Water Authority. Employees promoted to an executive classification who already participate in the 401(a) will continue with their existing contribution amount.

Alternative Work Week: Employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa location will work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. Employees assigned to the Escondido location will work either a 4/10 schedule, with every Friday off, or 9/80 schedule, depending on the position. Individual work schedules are developed on a departmental basis to assure that appropriate staff is available to perform needed work and must be selected from available options outlined in the attendance policy.

Hybrid Work Schedule Option: The Water Authority has embraced a hybrid work schedule to offer employees flexibility and work-life balance. An option to telework up to 3 days per week and work onsite 2 days per week is available for employees in eligible positions.

Vacation: Water Authority employees accrue 96 hours of paid vacation leave per year. Accruals increase based on time in service with the Water Authority.

Sick Leave: Water Authority employees accrue 96 hours of paid sick leave per year.

Holidays: The Water Authority observes 13 paid holidays each year, including two (2) eight-hour floating holidays. Employees hired after July 1, but before September 9, will receive full holiday credit for both floating holidays. Employees hired on or after September 10, but prior to February 12, will receive full credit for one (1) floating holiday. Employees hired after February 13, and prior to June 30, will not receive credit for either floating holiday in the fiscal year.

Life Insurance: The Water Authority provides $350,000 Basic Term Life and Personal Accident insurance coverage. The Water Authority also provides dependent spouse coverage in the amount of $5,000, and dependent child coverage in the amount of $2,000.

Long Term Disability Insurance: The Water Authority provides a long-term disability insurance benefit of up to 66.67% of monthly covered earnings to a maximum of $7,400 per month. Benefits begin on the 61st day of absence due to illness or injury.

Car Allowance: Executive employees are eligible for a monthly automobile allowance of $600 per month.

Cell Phone: Executive employees are eligible for a monthly cell phone/data plan allowance of $90 to $125 per month depending upon need.

Tuition Reimbursement: The Water Authority may reimburse the actual cost paid for tuition up to a maximum of $3,000 per fiscal year. Tuition costs of $3,001 - $4,500 may be reimbursed at 50% per fiscal year.

National University: Water Authority employees are eligible for 25% discount in tuition. Water Authority employees’ spouse/ partner/dependents are also eligible for 10% discount in tuition.

Wellness Center: Employees have access to an on-site fitness facility at no cost. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in a Wellness Program by attending Water Authority sponsored, on-site wellness training and screening sessions.

Employee Assistance Program: Employees have access to confidential, third-party personal counseling, financial and legal advice, and more. This benefit is available to employees and members of their household.

Additional Voluntary Benefits (Employee responsible for entire cost of premium if they chose to elect coverage):

Flexible Spending Account – Employees may contribute pre-tax earnings into a flexible spending account for health ($2,750 maximum) and dependent care expenses ($5,000 maximum).

Deferred Compensation Plan – The Water Authority's Deferred Compensation Plan is provided by TIAA-CREF and allows for pre- and post-tax deferrals.

Short-Term Disability – This voluntary insurance plan pays a benefit up to 60% of your weekly covered earnings – to a maximum of $1,728 per week. Before collecting benefits, employees must satisfy the elimination period following the date of disability (0 days for accident, 3 days for sickness of continuous disability). The Water Authority does not contract with California's Employment Development Department (EDD) for State Disability Insurance benefits.

Long-Term Care Insurance – This insurance program is available to employees on a voluntary basis and covers the cost of extended health care for yourself, as well as your spouse or qualified domestic partner.

Group Legal Insurance – This voluntary insurance plan offers a variety of legal services including revocable and irrevocable trusts, estate planning, family law, consumer protection, and traffic ticket defense. It is designed to help employees plan for, prevent, and resolve a wide range of legal issues – saving time and potentially thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Critical Illness Insurance – This voluntary insurance plan pays a lump sum upon initial occurrence of a heart attack, stroke, cancer, or other serious illness. The payment can be used to cover related expenses, medical or otherwise.

Voluntary Life and Personal Accident Insurance – Employees may purchase voluntary life and personal accident insurance up to 5 times annual salary (maximum of $500,000). You may also purchase additional life and/or personal accident insurance for spouse/domestic partner and/or children.

Employees' Association – Employees have the option to join the Employees' Association. Events and reduced ticket prices offered to employees through this association include the annual picnic, holiday party, sporting events, movie tickets, and much more.

This benefits summary is intended to provide an easy way for current and prospective employees to access fringe benefit information, including voluntary options. This summary is intended to be accurate, but it is not an official plan document, and has no legal or binding effect as an expressed or implied contract, or otherwise, and does not alter or amend any provision of the Compensation Plan, Memoranda of Understanding, Human Resources Policies and Procedures Manual, Administrative Code, retirement contract, insurance policy contract, or any other official document of the Water Authority. All insurance benefits described in the summary are subject to the terms and limitations of the Water Authority's insurance contracts with individual insurance providers.

Should you have any questions pertaining to information in this summary, please contact the Human Resources Division at (858) 522-6660.