Description

The City of Bend’s Water Services Department plays a vital role in protecting public health and ensuring reliable water services for the Bend community. The Water Services Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the City’s drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utilities, guiding policy implementation, service delivery, and long-range planning emphasizing a One Water approach that recognizes all water has value and is interconnected.

Working out of the city’s newly constructed Public Works Campus and reporting to the Public Works Director, this role leads a highly technical, service-oriented department responsible for delivering safe, high-quality drinking water, managing stormwater to reduce flooding and protect watershed quality, and ensuring wastewater is collected, treated and returned safely to the environment. The Water Services Director works closely with Public Works leadership, City departments, regulatory agencies, and community partners to balance infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, affordability, climate resilience, and long-term sustainability.

This position is ideal for an experienced utility leader who values interdepartmental collaboration, data-driven decision making, environmental stewardship, and a commitment to public service. The Water Services Director plays a critical leadership role within Public Works and serves as a key advisor to the Public Works Director on water-related policy, capital planning, and operational matters.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities as outlined in this job description.

Experience:

• 9 or more years of experience in a similar position and/or performing similar tasks.
• 7+ years of managerial experience

Desired Attributes

• Experience leading a water, wastewater, or stormwater utility within a municipal setting
• Familiarity with the One Water or integrated water management approach
• Experience working in a high-growth or climate-sensitive region
• Professional engineering license or advanced degree

Ideal Candidate:

We're looking for someone who is an experienced utility leader, with the ability to balance strategic planning and hands-on operational oversight. This candidate will be a strong collaborator who works effectively within a director-led Public Works structure, with strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex technical issues for internal leaders and the public. Highly qualified candidates will have comprehensive working knowledge of drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems, as well as familiarity with climate resilience, water conservation, and long-term resource planning. This candidate will bring skills in leadership, change management, and executive-level decision-making.