1363 Engineering Manager (WGW)
Job Description
Engineering Manager - Water, Gas, and Wastewater
The salary range for this position is $202,134.40 - $269,505.60 annually
Become part of this prestigious utility company dedicated to delivering a wide array of City-owned and operated utility services, including electricity, natural gas, water, sanitary sewer, and commercial fiber optic services, to residents and businesses alike.
Palo Alto, famed as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley,” boasts a population of 69,700 residents and nearly 100,000 employment opportunities. Distinguished among municipal entities, the City of Palo Alto administers a comprehensive range of services, including gas, electric, water, sewer, refuse, and storm drainage, offered at highly competitive rates. Additionally, the city provides an extensive array of community amenities, including 36 parks, 39 playgrounds, five community and youth centers, 41 miles of walking and biking trails, and five libraries. The city offers a unique blend of dining experiences ranging from international cuisines to classic American comfort food, alongside a high-quality educational environment that includes some of the nation’s top schools and access to world-renowned higher education institutions. The city also oversees a regional airport and delivers fire, police, and emergency services. Palo Alto garners accolades nationally for its innovation and adept management, boasting an AAA bond rating alongside a track record of excellence as per the annual citizen survey conducted by Polco (formerly National Research Center).
As a global hub of technology and ingenuity, Palo Alto serves as the corporate headquarters for esteemed companies and research institutions such as VMWare, Hewlett-Packard, and Tesla. Alongside being the home of Stanford University and a top-tier public school system, Palo Alto features captivating historic residential neighborhoods and bustling shopping districts. Its populace, highly educated and culturally astute, actively participates in local and global initiatives.
With a history spanning over a century, Palo Alto derives its name from a majestic coastal redwood tree over a thousand years old, situated along San Francisquito Creek, where early Spanish explorers settled. The fusion of commercial and residential zones, anchored by a lively downtown, embodies Palo Alto’s distinctive essence. Its tree-lined avenues and historic edifices reflect its Californian legacy, while simultaneously earning global recognition for its forefront advancements in technology.
The City
Incorporated over 125 years ago with a staff of 1,063 full-time employees, an adopted budget of $1.01 Billion (2025), and is headed by City Manager Ed Shikada. The government of the City of Palo Alto exists to promote and sustain a superior quality of life in Palo Alto. In partnership with the community, their goal is to deliver cost-effective services in a personal, responsive, and innovative manner. Their values consist of Quality: Superior delivery of services, Courtesy: Providing service with respect and concern, Efficiency: Productive, effective use of resources, Integrity: Straight-forward, honest, and fair relations, and Innovation: Excellence in creative thought and implementation. The city operates five libraries, 4,000+ acres of parks, preserves, and open spaces, a junior museum and zoo, and an art center, two large community centers, a Municipal Golf Course, and 471 miles of streets, reflecting its community-oriented ethos.
The Department
The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) history began over one hundred years ago, in 1896 when the water supply system was first installed. Two years later, the wastewater or sewer collection system came online in 1898. In 1900, the municipal electric power system began operation, followed in 1917 by a natural gas distribution system. Palo Alto is the only city in California to own and operate six essential utility services, including refuse and storm drain (operated out of Public Works). In 1996, Palo Alto ventured into a new endeavor with the construction of its dark fiber loop and is presently working on a full fiber internet system.
CPAU is a diverse group with 267 employees with five divisions: including administration, customer service, engineering, operations, and resource management. They cater to the needs of residents, businesses, and the council, with a strong focus on climate action, offering water, wastewater, gas, electric, and fiber. Their infrastructure includes nine substations and 307 miles of electric distribution lines. For those prioritizing environmental concerns, Palo Alto is an ideal location due to its commitment to transitioning to 100% electric systems.
The city has allocated $300 million over the next six years for this purpose, with annual spending of $50 million funded through bond financing and council approvals. CPAU’s financial strength is evident with assets totaling $500 million and a stellar AAA financial rating, indicating strong fiscal management.
WGW Engineering & Operations Division, lead by Assistant Utility Director Matt Zucca, comprises a dedicated team of 130 professionals. This division is responsible for the operations, maintenance, and emergency response of Palo Alto’s gas, water, and wastewater distribution systems. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and resource optimization, the division fosters a culture of excellence, ensuring a sustainable and resilient community.
Check out this interview with Matt Zucca as he discuss the Utility, the department, and the position.
Also, check out Utility at a glance.
The Position
The Engineering Manager Water, Gas & Wastewater (WGW) will oversee a team of 23 with five direct reports. They will be responsible for developing budgets and monitoring expenditures, supervising staff, consultants, and contractors, and resolving complex customer service issues. They will also approve and implement water, gas, and wastewater plans and specifications, and provide guidance to operating departments on the operation and maintenance of these systems. Additionally, the Engineering Manager WGW will ensure compliance with rules, regulations, laws, codes, policies, procedures, and safety regulations. Their project management duties will include preparing Requests for Proposals, evaluating proposals, and managing contractors and consultants. They will apply a high level of technical expertise in water, gas, and wastewater utility engineering and operations, and prepare written and oral reports for management.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate will be technically excellent, an experienced designer, knowledgeable about construction management and inspection, and a leader that wants to coach staff and build a top-notch engineering group. Experience in all three utilities is not necessary to be considered a top candidate for this position.
They provide project management direction for major WGW projects and report to management and/or City Council. They advise operating departments on safe operating and maintenance procedures for water, gas, and wastewater systems. They prepare the Capital Budget and long-range plans for these systems to meet future demands based on the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Additionally, they develop, implement, and monitor uniform policies, procedures, and reporting measurements for design and construction projects.
Minimum Qualifications:
Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, which would typically be acquired through:
- Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of directly related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
- Registered as a Professional Engineer in Civil or Mechanical Engineering in the State of California and a valid California Drivers License.
This role requires knowledge in applying supervisory principles to manage water, gas, and wastewater systems, ensuring safety, reliability, and code compliance. It involves system planning, engineering analysis, project management, scheduling, contract administration, budget preparation, and knowledge of public/business administration and legal procedures.
This job also requires the skills in planning, organizing, and supervising staff, using data processing for system planning and analysis, and preparing clear technical and budgetary reports for public groups and the City Council. It involves implementing utility programs, operating equipment, making informed decisions, and using strong communication and interpersonal skills with coworkers, supervisors, and the public.
Compensation Benefits
The salary range for this position is $202,134.40 - $269,505.60 annually.
Placement within this range is dependent upon the qualifications. In addition, the City also provides a competitive benefits package described in more detail here that includes but is not limited to:
Click here to review City of Palo Alto Benefits
Flexible: 9/80 or 4/10 work schedule.
Retirement: CalPERS 2% @ 60 formula for Classic employees with an 8% employee contribution; 2% @ 62 formula for New Members with an employee contribution of 50% of the normal cost (currently 7.25%).
Deferred Compensation: Allows employees to save money towards retirement in a 457 Plan through either Empower or Mission Square. City provides an employer match, dollar for dollar up to $4,000 per calendar year.
Medical: The city pays a flat rate contribution (in 2025, up to $2,260 per month for family coverage), and the employee pays in accordance with the health plan option selected, between $43.27 to $1,641.03 per month.
Dental: Fully paid coverage includes an annual limit of $2000 for basic services, with the option to choose higher coverage. Orthodontic coverage provides $1,500 per family member as a one-time benefit.
Vision: Fully paid basic coverage includes an annual eye exam and either a pair of glasses or contacts every other year. There’s a $10 copay for the exam, and $105 is allocated towards frames, while basic lenses are covered. Alternatively, you can opt for the VIP VSP plan, which includes an annual exam and annual glasses or contacts.
Life and AD&D Insurance: Fully paid up to annual salary.
Vacation: 120-200 hours annually, depending on years of service, with an option for cash out once a year.
Management Leave: 80 hours per calendar year, eligible to convert into vacation time, allocate to a deferred compensation plan for cash-out.
Paid Parental Leave: Up to six weeks of paid leave at 100% of salary, for the first twelve-month period, immediately following the birth, adoption, or placement of a child with the employee.
Sick Leave: 96 hours per year.
Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
Commuter Benefits: Benefits that allow you to deduct money pre-tax, match expenses in many cases, and even receive fully subsidized transit in some cases.
Annual Day of Recognition: One floating holiday each calendar year in acknowledgment of days of cultural significance.
Gold Standard Employee Assistance Program: The City’s partnership with CONCERN EAP has benefited employees in all aspects of their lives, from financial planning to proactive meditation courses and countless more in-person and virtual offerings, 5 in-person sessions available per area of interest.
Pilot Childcare and Educational Benefits:
- The City offers an annual Pilot Childcare Assistance Benefit. Up to $10,000 assistance for childcare costs at eligible childcare facilities located within Palo Alto City limits. Find Childcare Resources.
- Through a new City of Palo Alto School District partnership, City employees are eligible to apply for their children to attend award-winning Palo Alto Unified District Schools. Find Palo Alto Unified School District school information.
To Apply
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, please contact:
Jenna Flanagan
(916) 304-6663
jenna@jpowersinc.com
Filing Deadline
We will begin reviewing applications on May 26. Early submissions are strongly encouraged. Interviews may commence once posting requirements are met and a qualified applicant pool has been established.
The City of Palo Alto is an equal-opportunity employer.