Rockwood Water PUD - General Manager
Posted: 10/23/25
Location: Portland, OR
Rockwood Water People’s Utility District is currently recruiting qualified applicants for the position of General Manager.
Opening Date: October 23, 2025
Closing Date: December 1, 2025
Desired Starting Date: March 23, 2026
ABOUT THE POSITION
Under direction of the Board of Directors, the Rockwood Water District People’s Utility District (the District) General Manager (GM) serves as the chief executive officer of the District and is responsible for all aspects of administration and implementation of District policies and programs. The GM is accountable for achieving the goals and objectives established by the Board in a manner consistent with Board-adopted policies, mission, values and budget. The GM is responsible for planning, leading and directing the operations of the District and the Cascade Groundwater Alliance (CGA) to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and statutes, goals and policies, and regulations. The GM is also responsible for planning, financial management and human resources administration and oversees day to day operations of the District and the CGA to ensure the provision of high-quality, cost- effective drinking water service.
The GM also manages water supply and treatment for the CGA, a water supply partnership between the District and the City of Gresham to construct, operate and maintain groundwater supply facilities that will provide water to over 130,000 people in Rockwood and Gresham. Construction of CGA facilities currently underway and major portions of the supply system are scheduled to be online by June 2026.
ABOUT THE DISTRICT
Rockwood Water People’s Utility District is a public utility initially incorporated in 1925 as the Rockwood Water District. Facing annexation by the cities of Gresham and Portland, and eventual dissolution, residents voted in 1990 to create a People’s Utility District. The District currently serves
over 65,000 residents within an approximately 10 square mile area generally bordered by Division Street to the south, I-84 to the north, 242nd to the east and 135th to the west.
The District is within the cities of Portland, Gresham, and Fairview. Water for the District has historically been purchased through a wholesale contract with the City of Portland however it is transitioning to supply from the deep, protected Sand and Gravel Aquifer in the Cascade Basin Aquifers. The District, in partnership with the City of Gresham, has constructed groundwater supply and treatment infrastructure to fully supply all Rockwood and Gresham water beginning in 2026. The transition to the District owned and operated Cascade Groundwater supply system is currently underway.
The District is governed by a five-member Board of Directors, elected by subdivisions, to overlapping four-year terms of office. The Board of Directors establishes policies for the District and its operations and appoints the General Manager, who is charged with administering policies adopted by the Board. The District is a self-supporting enterprise, with 2024-2025 fiscal year appropriations of about $35 million. Most of the District’s revenues are generated by water sales and associated services.
District owned infrastructure includes 165 miles of pipe, 13,654 meters, 1,100 fire hydrants, and 2,500 valves. The District’s and City of Gresham’s groundwater supply infrastructure is currently nearing the end of construction and includes nine high production wells, three manganese removal water treatment plants, two reservoirs and two pump stations, with firm capacity to supply approximately 27 million gallons per day of treated groundwater. The District is also in the process of installing Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and is in the second year of the five-year AMI program with 3,000 AMI meters successfully installed and reading to date.
The District is organized into four units: Business Operations & Customer Service; Operations, Maintenance, & Construction; Accounting; and Engineering. District staff operate and maintain the groundwater supply system for both Rockwood and the City of Gresham through an Intergovernmental agreement with the City of Gresham. District staff also operate and maintain the Rockwood water distribution system; design projects and perform construction management; read meters; bill for service and collect payments; develop budgets, set rates, and account for District finances; and provide service to District customers. The General Manager oversees all staff operations performed by the District’s staff of 26 FTEs, approximately 17 of whom are represented by AFSCME.
For more information about Rockwood Water PUD, visit https://rwpud.org.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
Rockwood Water PUD is looking for a General Manager with the skills and aptitude to serve as an effective and visionary leader of the organization. The General Manager must have a strong background in utility management, infrastructure planning and implementation, fiscal management, and the ability to provide creative solutions to complex challenges.
The ideal candidate will be proficient in creating, priori)zing and achieving goals as well as providing high levels of professional and ethical leadership. The ideal candidate will demonstrate highly effective verbal and written communications, be an effective and efficient decision-maker, promote a positive and collaborative work environment, and be community oriented. The ideal candidate will have leadership experience in the water utility industry in the Pacific Northwest.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must demonstrate satisfaction of the following minimum qualifications to be considered as a candidate for this position:
- A bachelor’s degree in public or business administration, engineering, economics, or a related field, and
- Ten years of progressively responsible experience in utility operations and management, including at least five years of senior management experience, or
- A satisfactory combination of education, experience and training that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the essential duties of the position.
In addition to satisfying the required minimum qualifications, the following qualifications are considered as highly desirable for this position:
- A master’s degree or advanced studies in a related field,
- Organizational leadership experience in the water industry in the Pacific Northwest, and
- Experience with planning, design, construction, and operation of water supply facilities.
This position also requires a valid driver’s license accepted in the State of Oregon, with an acceptable driving record.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Rockwood Water People’s Utility District offers a generous compensation and benefits package. The anticipated hiring range for this position is $175,000 to $210,000 annually, depending on the experience and qualifications of the successful candidate.
Benefits include:
- Group medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents
- Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance
- HRA VEBA
- Participation in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Nine 10-hour paid holidays per year
The District operates on a 4-10’s schedule, with office hours from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays. This is the default schedule for the District; the GM’s hours are variable, as needed, and may fall outside this default schedule.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To be considered, applicants must submit a complete application packet including the following:
- Letter of introduction describing why you are interested in the position and how your education and experience satisfy the requirements of the position,
- Resume,
- Completed and signed application form including veteran’s preference form, and
- Brief answers (300 words maximum) to three supplemental questions.
Application packets must be submitted by email or postal service to: Shanta Carter
Attention: Rockwood PUD General Manager Special Districts Association of Oregon
PO Box 23879
Tigard, Oregon 97281 Email: scarter@sdao.com
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Applications must be received by 4:00 PM (Pacific Time) December 1, 2025.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The application form, supplemental questions, and position description are available at heps://www.sdao.com/classifieds and heps://rwpud.org/employment/. Questions regarding this recruitment can be directed to Mark Knudson, Senior Consultant with the Special Districts Association of Oregon at mknudson@sdao.com.
This notice is not an offer of employment. Employment of the successful candidate is subject to satisfactory background check, completion of an employment agreement, and final approval by the Rockwood PUD Board of Directors.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:
Rockwood Water People’s Utility District will consider all qualified applicants for appointment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, mental or physical disability, political affiliations, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with disabili5es, Rockwood Water People’s U5lity District is prepared to make necessary arrangements. Please call at least two (2) working days in advance for services.