Utilities Director

THE COMMUNITY

Gilroy is situated in south Santa Clara County at the southern tip of the San Francisco Bay Area, which is a dynamic urban area of 7,000 square miles, nine counties, 100 cities, and a population of 8.8 million, making it the fifth most populous metropolitan area in the United States. The City is part of the enterprising and technologically advanced San Jose/Silicon Valley sub-region and is within an hour’s drive of the scenic beauty of both the San Francisco and Monterey Bay Areas. Gilroy lies at the crossing of US Highway 101 and State Highway 152, giving it direct access to the San Francisco Bay Area, San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties, and the Central Valley.

Nestled in a picturesque valley setting along the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountain Range, Gilroy is bordered by Llagas and Uvas Creeks, which flow south into the Pajaro River. Surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards, and working farmland, the community enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate characterized by warm summers, cool evenings, and abundant sunshine. Despite steady growth, the City retains its rural charm and historic character, particularly in its older neighborhoods where buildings dating back to the mid-1800s remain. A vibrant and welcoming downtown offers locally owned shops, restaurants, and community gathering spaces that reflect Gilroy’s rich cultural heritage. Wide, tree-lined streets, surrounding open space, and a stunning mountain backdrop contribute to Gilroy’s distinctive sense of place.

The town of Gilroy got its start in 1850 as a stage stop along the San Jose to Monterey Road. By the time it was incorporated in 1870, it was the third largest community in Santa Clara County. Today, the City spans 16 square miles and has a population of almost 60,000. In its first hundred years, Gilroy’s economy was dominated by agriculture and agricultural processing. With the completion of the US Highway 101 bypass in the early 1970’s, Gilroy became more accessible, and its growth rates rose sharply. While the agricultural sector has evolved, there are thousands of acres around Gilroy being farmed. In recent decades, manufacturing, retail, and service sectors began to grow at a faster rate. Today, Gilroy’s economy is diversified into non‑agricultural commercial and industrial activities such as light manufacturing, wholesale operations, automobile sales, distribution centers, tourism (Gilroy Gardens, wineries, etc.) and large retail centers.

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THE ORGANIZATION

Incorporated as a Charter City in 1870, the City of Gilroy operates under a Council–Administrator form of government. The Mayor is directly elected, and the Mayor and City Council Members serve staggered four-year terms. Beginning in 2026, the City will transition to district-based elections, with districts phased in over two election cycles. The Council‑appointed City Administrator oversees the financial and operational management of approximately 298 full‑time employees across all City departments.

City Departments include Administration, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance/Information Technology, Fire, Human Resources/Risk Management, Police, Public Works, and Utilities. The City’s FY2026 General Fund Operating Budget is $74.3 million. Operational oversight of all departments is provided by the City Administrator.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Utilities Department is responsible for providing the people and businesses of Gilroy with high‑quality, safe, and reliable drinking water and wastewater collection and treatment services. Together, these necessities form the foundation of a successful and sustainable city by ensuring a clean water supply and preventing waterborne diseases, which are fundamental for promoting public health, economic growth, environmental protection, and quality of life. Utilities staff provide these services by planning, constructing, maintaining, and operating the City’s water production/distribution system and wastewater collection system. Utilities also oversees the South County Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) wastewater treatment plant, which operates via a joint powers agreement with the City of Morgan Hill. The City of Gilroy owns and operates its own water and wastewater utilities with an in‑house operations and engineering staff, supplemented with contract support. Historically, utilities were part of the Public Works Department. After thoroughly assessing services and functions, a dedicated Utilities Department was created in 2024.

The SCRWA Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion is an $82 million project anticipated to be completed in 2026. It will expand wastewater treatment capacity from the current 8.5 million gallons per day up to 11 million gallons per day to accommodate planned growth identified in the City of Gilroy's and City of Morgan Hill's Adopted General Plans. The ongoing improvements at the SCRWA wastewater treatment plant will also enhance the capacity to produce recycled water. In 2024, the SCRWA treatment plant produced almost 800 million gallons of recycled water.

THE POSITION

Under the direction of the City Administrator, the Utilities Director provides strategic, operational, and technical leadership for the City’s water, wastewater, and wastewater treatment systems, ensuring the reliable delivery of essential services to the community. The Director oversees all Utilities Department functions, including water supply, treatment, storage, conservation, distribution, customer service operations, wastewater collection, treatment, redistribution, system maintenance, engineering, and capital investment.

The Director establishes and implements short‑ and long‑term goals, policies, procedures, and performance standards to meet the evolving needs of the City and its ratepayers. Serving as the City’s Chief Utilities Advisor, the Director provides expert guidance to the City Administrator, City Council, and department heads on complex municipal utility matters.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Administration

• Establishes departmental goals, objectives, policies, and performance standards.
• Directs utility engineering activities, including planning, design, construction, inspection, and maintenance.
• Implements Water and Wastewater Master Plans and the SCRWA Capital Improvement Plan.
• Forecasts water demand and develops sustainable distribution and recycling strategies.
• Leads personnel selection, development, and performance management.

Financial & Capital Planning

• Prepares and administers the Department budget.
• Develops five‑ and ten‑year capital improvement programs.
• Administers the SCRWA budget.
• Provides guidance and recommendations for rate payer revenues that are timely and accurate.
• Secures and manages grant funding.
• Monitors revenues and expenditures to ensure fiscal sustainability.

Regulatory & Technical Oversight

• Reviews and approves engineering plans and development projects.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws and sound engineering practices.
• Evaluates environmental documentation for infrastructure impacts.
• Monitors legislative and regulatory changes affecting municipal utilities.

Interagency & Community Collaboration

• Coordinates with City departments and external agencies.
• Represents the City in regional negotiations and planning efforts with Valley Water and the South County Regional Wastewater Authority, including collaboration with the City of Morgan Hill.
• Serves on local, regional, and state boards to advocate for Gilroy ratepayers.
• Presents reports to Boards, Commissions, and the City Council.

The Utilities Director may also support the City’s Emergency Operations Center during emergency activations.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

The City of Gilroy is seeking a collaborative, strategic, and technically skilled utilities executive to serve as Utilities Director. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering expertise with financial acumen and a proven commitment to operational excellence. They embrace a “one team” leadership approach, making decisions that balance the needs of the Utilities Department with the broader City organization. Working closely with the senior executive and leadership teams, they address projects, initiatives, and organizational challenges in a coordinated and solutions‑oriented way. This leader approaches challenges with both strategic vision and practical, results‑driven focus.

The successful candidate is highly visible and engaged, regularly interacting with staff in the office and in the field to stay connected to day‑to‑day operations. They build trust and foster open communication while cultivating a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. Exceptional interpersonal and supervisory skills allow this leader to develop high‑performing teams and guide complex projects to successful completion. They skillfully balance technical expertise with soft skills to manage staff and ensure organizational effectiveness. Strong written and verbal communication abilities are essential for clearly conveying complex technical information to elected officials, boards, staff, and the public.

The ideal candidate has extensive knowledge of municipal water and wastewater regulations, utility operations, public administration, budgeting, and municipal governance. They are experienced in planning, executing, and evaluating both daily operations and long‑term capital projects while maintaining a customer‑focused approach. This leader demonstrates sound judgment and strategic thinking in financial and operational decision‑making. By combining collaborative leadership, technical proficiency, and a strong presence in the field, the Utilities Director ensures the delivery of safe, sustainable, and fiscally responsible utility services. Their work will support the continued growth, resilience, and quality of life for the Gilroy community.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, public administration, business administration or related field of study.
• A master’s degree in civil engineering or public administration is desired but is not required.
• Ten (10) years of increasingly responsible professional‑level experience in municipal public works/utilities‑related engineering or maintenance with at least five (5) years of experience that has included management and supervision of professional, technical and support staff.
• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a professional civil engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Civil and Professional Engineers is desired but is not required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver License and a safe driving record necessary to operate an assigned vehicle(s).

COMPENSATION

The annual salary range is $204,675 – $281,132. It is anticipated that the selected candidate will begin within the lower half of the range, with advancement based on performance. A candidate with prior public sector Utilities Director experience may be considered for placement higher within the range.

A 3% salary increase is scheduled for July 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027.

The City also offers an attractive benefits package including:

Retirement

Classic members: CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 formula with employees paying 8% on a pre‑tax basis.

New hires: CalPERS 2.0% @ 62 with employees paying 50% of the total normal cost as set by CalPERS (currently 8%)

Health Insurance and Flexible Benefits Plan

Depending upon the number of dependents the health allowance ranges from $1,141.80 to $3,015.28 per month for core health benefits.

City employees participate in the PERS Health Program, and may choose their medical coverage from a variety of providers.

The City's flexible benefits plan includes medical and dental coverage as core benefits. A range of optional benefits including vision care and medical and dependent care accounts are also available.

A term life insurance policy equal to annual salary, long‑term disability plan, and an employee assistance plan are provided at City expense.

Vacation

The annual vacation accrual ranges from two to four weeks per year based on City of Gilroy years of service.

Holidays

The City observes 11 paid holidays per year.

Administrative/Personal Leave

56 hours of administrative leave and 44 hours of personal leave are granted in July of each fiscal year. Leave must be used during the fiscal year.

Medicare/Social Security

Employees participate in Medicare (1.45% for both the employer and employee) as this is a mandated federal program. City of Gilroy does not participate in Social Security.

TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit your application at by 11:59 p.m. PST on April 19, 2026.

Following the closing date, resumes will be screened according to the qualifications outlined above. The most qualified candidates will be invited to personal interviews with Bob Murray & Associates.

A select group of candidates will be asked to provide references once it is anticipated that they may be recommended as finalists. References will be contacted only following candidate approval. Finalist interviews will be held with the City of Gilroy.

Candidates will be advised of the status of the recruitment following selection of the Utilities Director. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Mr. Mike Ishii at .

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