General Manager

THE DISTRICT

Central Basin Municipal Water District (CBMWD or District) was established in 1952 and provides imported water to approximately 40 retail water providers and one wholesale water agency serving southeast Los Angeles County. Its customers include cities, mutual water companies, investor-owned utilities, and private companies. The District purchases imported water from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and also supplies recycled water for municipal, commercial, and industrial uses.

The District was created to help address the over-pumping of local groundwater resources by supplementing local supplies with imported water. Central Basin became a member agency of MWD in 1954. The District’s seven-member Board of Directors appoints two representatives to the MWD Board, supporting regional coordination on water supply and policy.

Today, the District serves approximately 1.6 million people across 24 cities and unincorporated communities in southeast Los Angeles County. Its Board has a mixed-governance structure: four Directors are elected by voters from the District’s four electoral divisions, and three are selected through the cities and water purveyors served by the District.

CBMWD’s strategic plan provides direction for its goals and priorities and was developed with Board and senior-management guidance, including input from local retail water providers.

THE POSITION

Reporting to and working in partnership with the Board of Directors, the General Manager provides executive leadership for the District’s operations, strategy, and service delivery. The position oversees District functions, translates Board policy into organizational action, and ensures that services are managed responsibly, lawfully, and in support of the region’s water needs.

The General Manager is expected to promote fiscal stewardship, regulatory compliance, effective management, and long-term planning. The role calls for ongoing evaluation of District practices and performance to strengthen accountability, operational effectiveness, and responsiveness to the communities and water providers served.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide executive oversight of District departments and functions, ensuring operations comply with Board policy, applicable law, and adopted administrative requirements.

· Work with the Board to advance the District’s strategic plan, goals, and objectives, and provide timely advice on policy matters affecting current and future regional water needs.

· Lead financial planning and management, including forecasting operating revenue and capital needs, preparing the annual budget, overseeing day-to-day and long-range financial activities, and maintaining sound fiscal practices and debt management.

· Direct analysis and development of recommendations concerning water supply, reliability, long-range planning, and contingency planning; advise the Board on options for meeting present and future needs.

· Assess regional, industry, District, and customer needs, and ensure organizational priorities and objectives reflect those needs.

· Monitor proposed legislation and regulations and oversee the District’s participation in industry, intergovernmental, and legislative activities to support the District’s interests.

· Prepare and present recommendations to the Board; review and refine Board agendas, staff reports, and supporting materials prepared by others.

· Interpret and implement the District’s Administrative Code, policies, laws, and regulations, and oversee compliance in assigned areas.

· Direct human resources programs and administrative systems, including organizational structure, position descriptions, salary ranges, staffing levels, performance evaluation practices, employee development, and disciplinary policies.

· Ensure employment records are maintained appropriately, including applications, position descriptions, evaluations, commendations, disciplinary records, and personnel files.

· Develop and submit contracting, purchasing, inventory, distribution, and disposal policies and procedures for supplies, materials, and equipment for Board consideration when needed.

· Maintain appropriate asset records, including purchase dates, original costs, depreciation periods, and depreciation methods.

· Build an organizational culture that values integrity, innovation, collaboration, accountability, high performance, and excellent service.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

The successful candidate will be an ethical, steady, and adaptable executive who communicates clearly, builds trust, and leads with emotional intelligence. The General Manager should be approachable and transparent, able to foster a constructive working relationship with the Board, staff, water providers, partner agencies, and the public.

The District seeks a mission-focused leader who can set priorities, follow through on commitments, develop employees, and build a resilient and collaborative workplace. Strong political judgment, relationship-building skills, and the ability to represent the District effectively in regional forums are important.

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated experience in the water sector, public policy, organizational leadership, and financial management. Experience improving cost efficiency, strengthening core organizational capabilities, and working collaboratively with state and local agencies will be valuable.

KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE, AND QUALIFICATIONS

· A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, public administration, business administration, or a closely related field.

· At least five years of progressively responsible administrative and executive-management experience involving the operations and management of a public or private water and/or wastewater service provider.

· A valid California driver’s license.

· Broad knowledge of organizational design and development, public administration, financial management, strategic planning, budgeting, purchasing, and public records management.

· Working knowledge of the Brown Act, applicable ordinances, and state laws and regulations affecting public agencies and municipal water operations.

· Understanding of federal and state water issues, environmental considerations, and the governmental and political processes that affect water supply, demand, and policy.

· Ability to understand and respect the Board of Directors’ role, authority, and governance responsibilities while providing sound professional advice and effective executive leadership.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The annual salary range for the General Manager position is $305,000 to $350,000. Salary placement within the range will depend on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications.

In addition to salary, the District provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; CalPERS retirement; a health reimbursement benefit; life insurance; and an Employee Assistance Program.

Benefits currently identified for this draft include:

· Medical insurance: District pays 100% of the premium.

· Dental insurance: District pays 100% of the premium.

· Vision insurance: District pays 100% of the premium.

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP): District pays 100% of the premium.

· Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).

· Car Allowance

· Technology Allowance

· 457 Retirement Program

· Life insurance: District pays 100% of the standard premium.

· CalPERS retirement.

The estimated annual value of the benefits package is $134,749 in addition to the General Manager’s annual salary. Based on the advertised salary range, the estimated combined annual salary and benefits value is approximately $439,749-$484,749.

· All benefit costs are estimates, subject to applicable plan provisions, eligibility requirements, and changes in premiums or employer contribution rates.

Working Conditions

Occasionally lift and carry materials up to 30 pounds. Duties may require maintaining a physical condition necessary for sitting, kneeling, crouching, standing, walking, twisting, reaching or bending for prolonged period. Position responsibilities will require local travel to attend meetings; periodic overnight travel may be required. Duties may be performed outside of normal working hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

To be considered for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume describing experience, education, and training in relation to the position requirements via email to [email protected]. All resumes and correspondence will be held in confidence and will be maintained by the District according to record retention schedules.

All resumes will be evaluated, and those qualified candidates will be invited to participate further in the selection process which may consist of a written or performance exam with a structured panel interview, and a department interview for the successful candidate. Offers are extended contingent upon successful completion of a background check, a pre-employment physical exam and any required drug and alcohol tests. Relocation will not be provided.

The District promotes equal opportunity and diversity in its employment programs. Effective January 1, 2013, new members to CalPERS or an agency with CALPERS' reciprocity or who have more than a six-month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency will be subject to the provisions of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) and will receive the 2% @ 62 benefit formula. The employee contribution is 8.25% and employees are required to pay this contribution to CalPERS.

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 District will be enrolled in the 2% @ 55 benefit formula. The employee contribution for classic members is 100% paid by the District. The District offers an excellent benefit package which includes Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance that is 100% employer paid. Staff observe a 4/10 work schedule.

The deadline for resume submission is November 12th, 2026 5:00 PM PST.

Pay: $305,000.00 - $350,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person