Salary : $181,900.16 - $221,110.24 Annually
Location : Fremont, CA
Job Type: Regular, Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 23-14
Department: Office of the General Manager
Opening Date: 03/08/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Under direction from the General Manager, plans, organizes, coordinates, and manages a variety of programs and District-wide initiatives; performs a wide variety of highly responsible, complex, and diverse advanced level professional duties involved in providing administrative, analytical, policy, and technical support to the General Manager's Office; plans, directs, and coordinates legislative activities and intergovernmental affairs and programs; coordinates and manages the development of District-wide policies, plans, programs, and projects; represents the District to federal, state, and local agencies, industry groups, community groups, educational institutions, and the public; and performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Special Assistant to the General Manager is a single position senior management classification reporting directly to the General Manager. Under direction, within a framework of broad policies and procedures, the incumbent is responsible for coordinating the development of: District-wide programs, strategic plan implementation, legislative and intergovernmental affairs programs, and other projects of District-wide impact. Assignments are given in general terms and are subject to review upon completion. There is significant latitude for independent judgment and action in defined areas of work.
This classification is distinguished from other senior management classifications within the District by the specific responsibility for directing and coordinating projects of District-wide impact and focus on strategic, legislative, and intergovernmental affairs. This classification is distinguished from the General Manager in that the latter is the chief executive responsible for the effectiveness of all District operations, implementation of Board policy, and provides direction to this classification.
The Ideal Candidate for Special Assistant to the General Manager will:

• Possess deep knowledge and understanding of local and state governments, including special districts, and the water industry in California, the legislative process, and the laws, regulations, and standards that apply to the industry, and to ACWD and its mission.
• Demonstrate critical, strategic, and innovative thinking, political savvy, situational awareness, attention to detail, problem solving, and project management skills, and the ability to independently research and develop ideas and concepts into reasonable and actionable plans and strategies and manage projects from inception to completion.
• Posses s exceptional verbal and written communication skills to effectively engage with multiple audiences such as staff, management, governing bodies, legislators, other agencies, and the public, in a wide array of settings.
• Work collaboratively with internal staff and teams, external partners, industry groups, and interested parties, exhibiting tenacity and leadership to achieve organizational goals.
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and a commitment to promoting a culture of respect, professionalism, service, and belonging.
• Exhibit a strong service ethic in support of staff, peers, the industry, and other internal and external customers, and a strong commitment to excellence and integrity.

Examples of Duties

TYPICAL DUTIES
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF DUTIES MAY INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:
•Conducts complex and sensitive administrative, operational, and management analyses, studies, and research projects including those involving District-wide issues, programs, policies, plans, and procedures; selects, adapts, and applies appropriate research and statistical techniques; gathers and analyzes data and information from various sources on a variety of specialized topics.
•Prepares and recommends various policies and procedures of District-wide or broad District impact; reports on the effectiveness of established policies and procedures and recommends improvements where appropriate.
•Participates in and manages the implementation of the District's Strategic Plan and related activities, and other Board-directed initiatives and policy efforts.
•Oversees regular updates to Strategic Initiatives and Core Metrics Dashboards and reviews with Executive Staff regularly; coordinates changes with Executive Staff and communicates changes to Board and staff as appropriate; regularly provides General Manager with assessment of areas of needed emphasis, priority, resources, or intervention. Develops intervention strategies as appropriate.
•In consultation with the General Manager, formulates long-range goals for the District and develops, manages, and oversees plans for accomplishing these goals; develops policies and procedures to achieve District and Board goals.
•Represents the District and coordinates work with federal and state agencies, industry groups, community groups, educational institutions, vocational groups, other water agencies, government, non-governmental, and other entities of interest such as city and county governments, community groups, and the public; manages the District's memberships in multiple organizations.
•Reviews and evaluates various District planned programs and initiatives for trend analysis, legislative impact, public impact, and overall organizational management in relation to other District responsibilities; anticipates future needs and District impacts; tracks and critically evaluates internal plan and program implementation; identifies gaps and discrepancies in planning and plan implementation and works with program leads to address same.
•Develops and implements the District's federal and state legislative agenda; reviews and analyzes proposed federal, state, and local legislation and programs to determine possible impacts on the District's policies, procedures, operations, and plans; ensures compliance with applicable programs and requirements; manages legislative contacts and proposals.
•Participates in the Board agenda review process; makes presentations to the Board, Board Committees, other agencies, the public, and others as needed.
•Conducts studies of complex organizational and operational concerns, determines consequences as well as alternatives and analyzes options; develops funding proposals and plans, policy requirements, and strategies and prepares and presents reports and recommendations on such studies and administrative issues.
•Assists departments, divisions, and work groups in formulating and coordinating strategic business or organizational plans and procedures; may serve as resource to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council; may participate in, lead, or support employee engagement initiatives, functions, events, campaigns, and other activities.
•Analyzes department and division work programs; recommends and assists in implementing improvements to work practices, procedures, forms, equipment use, etc.
•May provide coordination, oversight, and management of the District's grant applications and budgeting administration and metrics; may research and prepare submissions for grant awards and procurement of funding from federal, state, and other available funding sources.
•Implements complex special projects; researches and prepares complex technical and administrative reports and recommendations and presents to senior management and/or the Board of Directors; develops work plans and leads or assists in implementation as needed.
•Reviews and approves a variety of plans, reports, and correspondence to represent the District and coordinate consistent messaging.
•Performs other related work as required.
Typical Qualifications
REQUIREMENTS
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be the equivalent of:
Education and Experience:
Possession of a Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in engineering or water related science, environmental studies, political science, communications, public relations, organizational development, public administration, business administration, or a related field; and six (6) years of progressively responsible professional project/program management experience with responsibility for strategic planning, legislative affairs, community outreach, water-related programs, or similar type experience. Experience representing public/private agencies is highly desired.
Additional Requirements:
Must possess a valid driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.
Selection Procedure

First consideration will be given to applications received by Friday, April 5, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Application materials, which include a supplemental questionnaire should be submitted online at www.acwd.org/jobs.
Candidates who present the best job-related qualifications will have their Supplemental responses rated followed by a qualification's appraisal panel interview.
All applicants will be evaluated against the qualifications and characteristics listed above and included in the job description.
Health Insurance : Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. Employees contribute 1.0% of salary toward the cost of their medical benefits. Under the Cafeteria Plan, employees will receive a flex dollar allowance to purchase healthcare coverage, and qualifying voluntary products.
Dental and Vision : Coverage for the employee and eligible dependents is fully paid by the District.
Retirement : California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) benefit depends on whether the employee is a "new" member or "classic" member under state law.
Classic member : Employee who is a member of PERS or reciprocal agency within six months of hire at ACWD. 2.5% @ 55 with 8% employee contribution. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, Unused Sick Leave Credit, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Final Compensation 1 Year, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Prior Service. The District picks up 2.5% of the CalPERS retirement contribution.
New member : Employees hired after 12/31/12 who were not members of PERS or a reciprocal agency within the last six months of hire at ACWD. 2% @ 62 with 7% employee contribution. Effective 7/1/23 PEPRA employee contributions will increase to 7.75%. $5000 Retired Death Benefit, 1959 Survivor Benefit Level 4, 3% Annual Cost-of-Living Allowance Increase, Additional Opportunity to Elect 1959 Survivor Benefits, Final Compensation 3 Years, Military Service Credit as Public Service, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance, Post-Retirement Survivor Allowance to Continue After Remarriage, Pre-Retirement Death Benefits to Continue After Remarriage of Survivor, Pre-Retirement Option 2W Death Benefit, Prior Service, Public Service Credit for Peace Corps, AmeriCorps VISTA, or AmeriCorps Service, Unused Sick Leave Credit.
Social Security/Medicare : The District does not participate in Social Security, but provides a 1.45% matching Medicare contribution.
Retiree Health Benefits : Coverage is provided through the CalPERS Health program. The District's contribution for retiree coverage shall be the PEMHCA minimum contribution as determined by CalPERS on an annual basis. Please refer to the Memorandum of Understanding for various eligibility and plan details.
Employees hired on or after January 1, 2019 will receive a defined-contribution benefit into a retiree health savings account.
Life Insurance : The District provides you with Basic Life Insurance and Basic AD&D Insurance of one and one half times your annual salary to a maximum of $250,000. There is no cost to employee for this insurance.
Long Term Disability : The District provides you with Long Term Disability Income Insurance of 66 2/3% of monthly earnings with a maximum monthly benefit of $15,000.
Short Term Disability : Coverage is provided through the District for employees working more than 20 hours per week at 66 2/3% of base weekly earnings for the first 12 weeks up to a weekly benefit maximum of $2,350.
Deferred Compensation : Optional deferred income plans allowing tax sheltering of current income and payment later as supplemental retirement income. The District pays a match of up to $1,750 per year to the employee's 401(a).
Vacation : 10 days first year, increasing to 25 days after 20 years.
Holidays : 11 days per year.
Sick Leave : 12 days per year
Management Leave : 80 hours to 96 hours of Management Leave per calendar year (depending on classification).
Employee Assistance Program : Up to 6 sessions for employees and family members for professional consultation and short-term counseling for personal problems.
Tuition Reimbursement : The District will reimburse 100% of the total tuition and textbook costs incurred in taking courses outside of normal working hours related to District employment up to an annual maximum of $5,250.
01

IMPORTANT NOTE (applies to all questions): Following an assessment of minimum qualifications, the determination as to whether candidates should be invited to the hiring interview will be based only on evaluation of responses to this Supplemental Questionnaire. The District will evaluate responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire individually and separately from the employment application and any submitted resume or other materials (such materials will not be available to those evaluating responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire). Therefore, your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire should be comprehensive, should demonstrate any proficiency in those areas highlighted in the announcement, and should NOT reference or rely on any information provided in the application or other submitted materials. Be sure to additionally include the name(s) of your employer(s), your dates of employment with that employer, and your job title(s) in your responses to each question as applicable.
02

Please describe your education and experience which best qualifies you for this position including any experience with a government utility or similar public agency role.
03

Please describe your experience in developing, implementing, analyzing, and/or managing an organization-wide strategic plan or other major initiative with organization-wide breadth and impact. Please explain your role coordinating with staff, executives, and the governing board.
04

Please describe your experience analyzing legislation and developing and implementing a federal, state and local legislative agenda for an organization. What are the most important factors that need to be considered?
Required Question