Job Description

JOB TITLE: Water Resources & Planning Manager

AGENCY: City of Pasadena

LOCATION: Pasadena, CA

FILING DEADLINE: November 6, 2026

SALARY RANGE: $180,558 - $225,697 Annually

The Position

The City of Pasadena is seeking an exceptional Water Resources and Planning Manager - a visionary planner, skilled collaborator, strategic thinker, and regional leader - to help shape Pasadena's water-resilient future. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced professional who is passionate about sustained water reliability for our communities, regional collaboration, and data-driven decision-making.

This position serves as the head of Water Resources and Planning at Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) and plays a critical role in advancing our mission to provide safe, reliable water with superior customer service at competitive rates. If you are looking for a role where you can shape regional water strategy, oversee major planning initiatives, and provide senior management-level leadership, this is an exceptional opportunity.

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below.

Water Resources Planning: Leads the City's water resources planning efforts, including water supply management, conservation programs, demand forecasting, system analyses, and implementation of key planning documents to support long-term sustainability and reliability.
Project & Financial Management: Oversees major water resource projects, including groundwater replenishment, potable reuse, and supply optimization initiatives. Manages division budgets, evaluates program performance, and conducts financial and cost-benefit analyses to support infrastructure and investment decisions.
Leadership & Staff Development: Provides leadership to professional and technical staff, promoting a collaborative, high-performing, and service-oriented work environment while supporting employee development and accountability.
Policy, Grants & Regulatory Affairs: Leads grant funding strategies and compliance efforts, monitors legislative and regulatory developments, and recommends policies and programs that support the City's water resource objectives.
Stakeholder & Executive Relations: Represents the City before regional, state, and federal agencies and serves as a key advisor on water reliability, compliance, and sustainability. Prepares and presents technical analyses, reports, and recommendations to City leadership, commissions, boards, and City Council.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced water resources professional with strategic vision, deep knowledge of California water, and strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills. This individual will have extensive experience in water resources planning, demand and supply forecasting, regulatory compliance, and interagency collaboration, with the ability to serve as a key spokesperson and negotiator representing the agency before local and regional water boards, state agencies, legislative bodies, and stakeholder coalitions. The ideal candidate is also a people-first leader, building and stewarding high-performing internal teams.

The City

Pasadena, California, is a vibrant and diverse community located at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, just northeast of downtown Los Angeles. Internationally recognized for the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl Game, Pasadena offers an exceptional quality of life, blending historic charm, cultural richness, and innovation. The city is home to world-renowned institutions, including the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), as well as thriving business districts, distinctive neighborhoods, and an active arts and cultural scene. As a full-service municipal organization, the City of Pasadena is committed to providing high-quality services through a collaborative, forward-thinking, and customer-focused approach. Residents enjoy outstanding parks and recreational amenities, acclaimed museums and theaters, excellent educational opportunities, and a strong sense of community engagement. With its reputation for excellence, innovation, and public service, Pasadena continues to be one of Southern California’s most desirable places to live, work, and visit.

For more details about this opportunity, please visit the job brochure at: https://koffassociates.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/City-of-Pasadena-Water-Resources-Planning-Manager-1.pdf

To be considered, please electronically submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of three professional references (references will not be contacted in the early stages of the recruitment) to: https://koffassociates.com/water-resources-planning-manager/

For additional information, please contact:

Chelsea Freeman

chelsea_freeman@ajg.com

Website: https://koffassociates.com/

Special Instructions

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

City of Pasadena

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Water Resources & Planning Manager