Director of Water Quality

Job Title

Director of Water Quality

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.

• 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

• 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

• 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 Ph.D.) in a relevant scientific, engineering, or environmental discipline is desirable
• Must possess certifications:
  Distribution Operator Grade D2;
  Water Treatment Plant Operator Grade T2
• Demonstrated experience serving as a technical or regulatory authority for drinking water quality compliance

• Must possess a valid California driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record

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