Deputy General Manager - Government & Public Affairs

Westlands Water District is seeking an accomplished and politically astute executive to serve as the Deputy General Manager - Government & Public Affairs. Reporting to the General Manager, this position will provide strategic leadership for the District's government affairs, legislative advocacy, public affairs, communications, stakeholder engagement, and external relations program. The successful candidate will serve as a principal advisor to executive leadership and represent the District before policymakers, regulatory agencies, industry organizations, stakeholders, and the media.

The position may be headquartered in either the District's Fresno Office or Sacramento Office. Due to the nature of government regulations, stakeholder engagement, legislative advocacy, Board-related activities, and public meetings, the position requires frequent travel throught the District area, Central Valley, and California, as well as occassional out-of-state travel. Attendence at evening and weekend meetings and events may also be required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Communications, Business Administration, Agriculture, Environmental Studies, Economics, Engineering, or closely related field; and
• Eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, public affairs, communications, public policy, water resources, public agency administration, or a closely related field; and
• Of the eight (8) years, at least three (3) years include supervisory or management experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

• A master's degree in a related field is desirable;
• Experience working with elected officials, government agencies, trade associations, consultants, stakeholders, and public policy organizations is highly desirable.
• Experience in California water policy, agriculture, natural resources, public utilities, or public agency administration is highly desirable.
• Experience managing external consultants, advocacy firms, communications professionals, and government affairs contractors is preferred.

Compensation and Benefits
Annual Salary Range: $175,000 - $200,000 DOQ. Appointment salary will be based on qualifications and
experience and is generally expected to fall within the established salary range.

The District offers a competitive compensation package and comprehensive benefits program, including
CalPERS retirement, medical insurance with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan and medical
opt out incentive, dental and vision coverage, life and AD&D insurance, short-and long-term disability
insurance, paid vacation and medical leave, 11 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, an Employee
Assistance Program (EAP), flexible spending account options, voluntary 457 deferred compensation
opportunities, longevity pay, and other District-sponsored benefits. Detailed information regarding District
benefits is available on the District's website or upon request.

How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a comprehensive resume and a cover letter, maximum two pages,
describing their qualifications and interest in the position.

Application materials should be submitted electronically to [email protected]. The position is open until
filled; however, interested candidates are encouraged to apply early. Applications will be reviewed as received, and only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the interview process.

Candidates invited to interview may be asked to provide six professional references, including individuals who have supervised the candidate, individuals who have reported to the candidate, and professional colleagues. References will not be contacted without advance notice to the candidate.

For questions and inquiries, please contact Veronica Venegas at (559) 241-6205 or [email protected].
To learn more about Westlands, visit the District's website at wwd.ca.gov.

Conditional Offer of Employment
Any offer of employment will be contingent upon verification of the candidate's legal authorization to work in the United States, successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including a post-offer medical examination and pre-employment drug screening, if applicable under District policy and law, and verification of employment history, education, training, licenses, and other information provided during the application process.

This is an at-will executive management position that serves at the discretion of the General Manager.
Westlands Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Applicants requiring accommodation during the recruitment process should contact the Human Resources Department at (559) 241-6205.