Utilities Director

Overview

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.

Under the direction of the City Administrator, 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. The Director serves as the City’s Chief Utilities Advisor, providing expert guidance to the City Administrator, City Council, and department heads on complex municipal utility matters.

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 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 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.

The Utilities Department is responsible for providing Gilroy’s residents and businesses with high-quality, safe, and reliable drinking water and wastewater collection and treatment services. Utilities staff plan, construct, maintain, and operate the City’s water production/distribution system and wastewater collection system. Utilities also oversees the SCRWA wastewater treatment plant, which operates via a joint powers agreement with the City of Morgan Hill. The City owns and operates its own water and wastewater utilities with in-house operations and engineering staff, supplemented with contract support. The Utilities Department was established in 2024.

The Department

The SCRWA Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion is an $82 million project anticipated to be completed in 2026. It will expand wastewater treatment capacity from 8.5 MGD to 11 MGD to support growth identified in the City of Gilroy’s and City of Morgan Hill’s Adopted General Plans. The ongoing improvements will also enhance recycled water production. 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 SCRWA, 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 seeks 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 commitment to operational excellence. They embrace a “one team” leadership approach, balancing the Utilities Department needs with the broader City organization. They work closely with senior executives to address projects, initiatives, and organizational challenges in a coordinated, solutions-oriented manner, with strategic vision and practical, results-driven focus. They are 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, foster open communication, and cultivate accountability, safety, and continuous improvement, developing high-performing teams and guiding complex projects to successful completion. They balance technical expertise with soft skills to manage staff and ensure organizational effectiveness, and communicate complex technical information clearly 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, with experience planning, executing, and evaluating both daily operations and long-term capital projects while maintaining a customer-focused approach. They demonstrate sound judgment and strategic thinking in financial and operational decision-making, and their leadership supports Gilroy’s growth, resilience, and quality of life.

Education & Experience

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or related field.
• A master’s degree in civil engineering or public administration is desired but 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 in 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 not required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid California Driver License and a safe driving record necessary to operate an assigned vehicle.

Compensation & Benefits

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: CalPERS 2.5% @ 55 for classic members; 2.0% @ 62 for new members.
• Health Insurance & Flexible Benefits Plan: Health allowance ranges from $939.36 to $2,480.68 per month; PERS Health Program; flexible benefits including vision and dependent care accounts; life insurance and long-term disability.
• Vacation: 2–4 weeks per year, based on years of service.
• Holidays: 10–11 paid holidays per year.
• Administrative/Personal Leave: 56 hours administrative leave and 44 hours personal leave per fiscal year.
• Medicare/Social Security: Employees participate in Medicare (1.45% for both employer and employee). City 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. Resumes will be screened according to the qualifications above, and the most qualified candidates will be invited for interviews. References may be requested from finalists. Finalist interviews will be held with the City of Gilroy. For questions, contact Mr. Mike Ishii at .

Representation: Persons appointed to this position are unrepresented, at-will employees.

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