Executive Strategist

POSITION SUMMARY

The Executive Strategist is an executive-level staff position reporting to the General Manager in coordination with the Deputy General Manager. The position assists and advises the General Manager and Deputy General Manager in directing and coordinating the District’s strategic approach to water resources policy. The Executive Strategist represents and advocates the District’s strategic interests at local, regional, and statewide forums with special emphasis on The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, regional collaboration, and strategic initiatives. The position supports, advises, and coordinates with other departments on water resource planning and development as it relates to the District’s strategic and policy interests. The Executive Strategist is a member of the executive management team, working closely with the General Manager, Deputy General Manager, and managers of other departments on budgeting, planning, coordinating, and other organizational and administrative processes critical to implementing the District’s mission. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for this job. Omission of specific duties do not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logically assigned to this position. 

The Executive Strategist supports the General Manager under general direction and exercises significant responsibility and discretion to advance the District’s interests in representing the General Manager to implement Board policy, the District’s Mission Statement and Strategic Plan, and strategic interests. 

• Represent the District at The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (“Metropolitan”) including serving as the staff resource for the District’s Metropolitan director, representing the District at Metropolitan and Metropolitan member agency working groups and meetings, and coordinating with Metropolitan senior- and executive-level staff.
• Represent the District in regional water resource collaborations, partnerships, and negotiations. 
• Represent and advocate on the District’s behalf at various key local, regional, and statewide organizations, workgroups, and meetings.
• Monitor and analyze a wide range of the most difficult and complex special projects dealing with water policy issues, Metropolitan, and other related work.
• Develop, evaluate, and implement strategic initiatives to assist in the identification and development of resources and policies that advance the District’s strategic interests. 
• Oversee and participate in local multi-agency coordination initiatives regarding current and emerging regional issues.
• Prepare or direct consultant analyses on water resource and policy issues.
• Lead the development of forward-looking policy narratives and analytical frameworks that challenge conventional assumptions about water supply, affordability, and the role of public water service, helping to reframe complex issues for decision-makers, stakeholders, and the public. 
• Advance innovative and, where appropriate, non-traditional approaches to water resource policy by rigorously testing assumptions and introducing new models for consideration by District leadership and regional partners.
• Support the General Manager, Deputy General Manager, and departmental managers in implementing alternative water resource development studies, projects, and programs.
• Support departmental managers as assigned and/or serve as the lead for inter-departmental teams assigned to special projects.
• Participate in the evolution of the Watersheds Coalition of Ventura County to align the coalition’s activities with District goals and regional needs.
• Travel to meetings, conferences, and other events outside the District. Travel may require overnight or multiple night stays.

MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

May provide direction and oversight of personnel in special projects or training.

COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with Federal, State, and local laws and regulations regarding water resources, water rights, and special districts.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office software applications.
• Effectively communicate District perspectives orally and in writing.
• Speak effectively and engagingly to a wide variety of audiences.
• Participate in, and contribute to, meetings with personnel of various professional and non-professional backgrounds to develop plans, solve problems, and reach agreements.
• Simultaneously manage multiple projects with varying degrees of complexity under pressure of deadlines.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Plan, organize, and schedule workload to maintain efficiency in assigned duties.

QUALIFICATIONS

The Executive Strategist is expected to possess a wide range of skills, talents, and knowledge necessary to advocate effectively. The position requires strong analytical ability, excellent interpersonal skills, strong oral and written communication skills, and the ability to perform research and make value-added conclusions. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with major course work in public administration; urban, regional, or water resources planning; environmental science; business administration; engineering; or a related field and ten years of progressively responsible experience in water resources planning, governmental relations, regulatory affairs, and/or public policy development. A master’s degree is desired, but not required. A combination of formal education and practical experience in an equivalent position is qualifying.  

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

Must be able to operate a District vehicle, computer, and standard office machines and digital devices.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical and mental requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. 

Physical

• Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and talking and hearing, in person, in meetings, and by telephone. 
• Requires manual dexterity and use of hands and fingers to handle and feel sufficient to operate a District vehicle, computers, and standard office machines such as calculators, telephones, copiers, and scanners. 
• Requires normal range of hearing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision and the ability to adjust focus. May require lifting up to 25 pounds.

Mental

• Written and oral communication skills.
• Interpretation of complex data, information, and documents.
• Math and mathematical reasoning.
• Detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks with occasional interruptions. 
• Work under deadlines.
• Interact with District executives and managers, governmental officials, employees, and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics are those generally encountered in an office environment. The employee works under typical office conditions, and the noise level is usually quiet. Employee is a designated Emergency Services Worker and is occasionally called upon to work overtime or odd schedules. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possess a California Motor Vehicle Operators License and a good driving record, i.e., a driving record provided by the DMV showing less than 2 points assessed in the last 36 months and/or no serious or multiple traffic violations or accidents or failure to appear notices within the last 36 months.
• Agree to authorize background reference checking with past employers and personal references.
• Agree to submit to and pass the District’s pre-employment, post-offer medical examination including drug and alcohol screening performed by a physician chosen and paid for by the District. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Calleguas Municipal Water District is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The District prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identification, or other protected characteristic as outlined in federal, state, or local laws.