The Cooperative. An independent special district created by Polk County and fifteen Polk County municipalities to develop and deliver a regional public water supply. It is building a capital program of approximately $800 million: the Southeast Wellfield Project is in construction and begins delivering water in 2029, and the West Polk Wellfield Project is in design for the early 2030s. It is governed by a Board of Directors made up of an elected official from each of its sixteen Member Governments, and is now moving from a small contracted organization into a fully operating regional water utility. The Executive Director will lead that transition.

The position. Chief executive officer, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Board. Responsible for delivery of the capital program on schedule and within budget; for financing, budgets, rates and cost allocation among Member Governments; for permitting and regulatory affairs; for building the Cooperative’s staff; and for its relationships with the Member Governments, the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and state and federal agencies. Office in Polk County; regular regional travel and evening meetings.

Compensation and structure. $170,000 to $210,000. The position is engaged by contract for the first year and converts to a full-time Cooperative employee position at the beginning of the second year. In Year One the Cooperative pays the contract amount, a monthly allowance in lieu of insurance, a vehicle allowance and expenses, and paid time off, each stated separately in the agreement; there is no Florida Retirement System participation. Beginning in Year Two the Executive Director is a Cooperative employee with an annual salary at the same base rate, Florida Retirement System membership in the Senior Management Service Class, health, dental, vision, life and disability coverage, an employer deferred-compensation contribution, and leave under the Cooperative’s personnel policies. The conversion date and the Year Two terms are written into the Year One agreement.

Minimum qualifications. Bachelor’s degree in public administration, engineering, environmental science, business or finance, or licensure as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida. Ten years of management experience in water resource management or public water supply, including five years in the administration of a utility system, department or agency. Valid driver’s license.

Preferred. Master’s degree; experience reporting to a governing board; experience delivering a capital program of comparable scale; experience with state and federal infrastructure loans and grants; familiarity with Florida water supply planning and Southwest Florida Water Management District programs.

Selection process. A Selection Committee of three Member Government managers will review applications and interview candidates at public meetings, and will recommend three finalists in ranked order to the Board. The Board makes the appointment on January 20, 2027; the anticipated start date is February 1, 2027.

To apply, submit through the Polk County Human Resources application portal at www.polkfl.gov/about/careers by November 13, 2026: (1) a cover letter of not more than three pages; (2) a résumé; (3) five work-related references, who will not be contacted without your consent; (4) written answers of not more than 400 words each to the three questions below; and (5) the signed acknowledgment below.

     (a) Describe the largest capital program you have been personally accountable for. What were the budget and schedule at the outset, what were they at completion, and why?

     (b) Describe how you have built agreement among governing-body members or partner jurisdictions whose interests did not align.

     (c) The Cooperative is moving from three contract positions to a staffed utility. Describe your experience building or restructuring an organization.

NOTICE — FLORIDA PUBLIC RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS. Everything you submit is a public record when the Cooperative receives it and must be released to anyone who asks. The Cooperative cannot provide any assurance of confidentiality. The application file is public and all meetings and interviews are open to the public.

Job Summary:

Advanced, independent engineering work performing engineering analysis, planning, designing, and management of engineering projects; maintenance and operation of projects; and serving as a project manager.

Job duties:

• Independently plans and performs complex engineering assignments supporting flood protection and water control infrastructure. Develops and reviews engineering designs, calculations, cost estimates, construction drawings, specifications, scopes of work, and permit applications. Leads the preparation and update of levee and dam emergency action plans and spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plans. Evaluates the condition, operability, reliability, and risk of water control structures and supporting civil, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, telemetry, backup power, and control systems. Investigates field problems, develops corrective actions, directs consultant work, and supports procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and closeout. Signs and seals engineering documents when licensed and assigned.

• Provides senior technical support for flood protection operations through field inspections, operational assessments, data management, reporting, emergency response, and backup operation of District water control systems. Operates lift gates, pump stations, overshot gates, solar pumping systems, and related equipment as assigned. Evaluates hydraulic, hydrologic, operational, and SCADA data; establishes data quality checks; resolves missing or questionable data; and develops advanced spreadsheets and other decision support tools. Prepares and reviews daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports and information for public web displays. Develops operating protocols, readiness criteria, inspection and testing plans, and recommendations for system improvements. Supports storm preparation, emergency operations, and post-event reviews and recommends timely operational actions using sound engineering judgment.

• Advances the District's flood protection program by maintaining the library of water control protocols and guidance, tracking program findings and corrective actions, mentoring less experienced staff, and improving coordination among work groups across the District. Provides technical briefings and recommendations to senior management and supports state and local emergency management activities related to District water control systems. Assists with work planning, budgeting, procurement, and program reporting and performs other related duties as assigned.

Skilled In:

Evaluating hydraulic, hydrologic, engineering, and operational problems; applying sound engineering judgment; inspecting and operating water control structures and supporting systems; translating operational and SCADA data into clear recommendations; developing data quality checks, advanced spreadsheets, reports, and decision support tools; preparing and reviewing calculations, plans, specifications, cost estimates, scopes of work, procedures, emergency plans, and technical reports; directing consultants and coordinating contractors; prioritizing work based on risk and operational need; communicating technical information clearly; collaborating across engineering, operations, technology, modeling, communications, and emergency response teams; mentoring and sharing knowledge with other staff.

Ability To:

Work independently with limited supervision and accept responsibility for complex assignments; understand and operate water control systems after appropriate training; manage multiple priorities; recognize conditions that may affect public safety, property, operations, cost, or schedule; evaluate incomplete or rapidly changing information and make timely recommendations; communicate effectively with technical and nontechnical audiences; provide calm, dependable support during storm preparation and response; document operational decisions; follow corrective actions through completion; travel to District facilities and work in field conditions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Engineer III – requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, civil, hydraulic, agricultural or water resource engineering and four years engineering experience directly related to the field in which the position is assigned

• Engineer IV – requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, civil, hydraulic, agricultural or water resource engineering and six years engineering experience directly related to the field in which the position is assigned; or registration by the State of Florida as a professional engineer.

• Professional Engineer – requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, civil, hydraulic, agricultural or water resource engineering, and registration by the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer.

An advanced degree may substitute for a portion of the required experience.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment:

Work is performed in an office and at water control structures and other District facilities, including remote locations. Field work may involve uneven terrain, work near water, operating machinery and electrical equipment, noise, heat, rain, and other inclement weather. The position requires travel within the District and participation in scheduled on-call coverage and emergency response outside normal work hours when needed.

Licenses:

Valid State of Florida Driver’s License.

A State of Florida Professional Engineer license is preferred and is required when filled at the Professional Engineer level. Candidates licensed in another state must be able to obtain Florida licensure within the period established by the District.

Additional Details:

Starting Salary Range: Engineer III – Professional Engineer - $67,496.00 - $100,443.20

Starting salary is based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits include Florida Retirement System, health insurance, paid parental leave, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid leave and holidays, professional development, wellness program, and eligible for public service student loan forgiveness program.

Your application will receive careful consideration, and if selected for an interview, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. St. Johns River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans’ Preference/Drug-Free and Tobacco-Free Workplace

Location: Palatka or Palm Bay Service Center

Closing Date: Until filled

Job Summary: This is supervisory professional engineering work in water resource, environmental, civil, hydraulic, agricultural, and other related fields of engineering.

Job duties include:

• Supervises, directs, reviews, and evaluates the work of professional engineers, project managers, and inspectors. Assigns and balances workload; establishes priorities, performance expectations, and schedules; monitors project status, budgets, and staff capacity; provides coaching, technical direction, and professional development; and assists staff in resolving technical, contractual, procurement, stakeholder, and administrative issues. Reviews and approves project management plans, scopes of work, fee proposals, cost estimates, schedules, work orders, contract amendments, procurement documents, invoices, change orders, technical deliverables, and executive or Governing Board materials prepared by staff and consultants. Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC). Promotes consistent project management, document control, quality assurance, risk management, and reporting practices. Coordinates recruitment, onboarding, performance evaluations, and corrective actions as assigned. Directs and supports construction management and inspection of staff to ensure field documentation, quality, safety, contract compliance, and timely escalation of issues.

• Serves as project manager, as needed, for a limited number of projects. Defines project objectives, alternatives, deliverables, budgets, schedules, risks, and delivery strategies. Negotiates consultant scopes, fees, schedules, work orders, and amendments. Directs consultants and multidisciplinary project teams, and coordinates with regulatory agencies, local governments, funding partners, utilities, stakeholders, and other District work units. Reviews technical memoranda, models, design submittals, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and schedules for completeness, technical adequacy, constructability, operability, maintainability, regulatory compliance, and value. Tracks budgets, encumbrances, expenditures, invoices, milestones, critical path, risks, decisions, and action items, and initiates corrective action when needed.

• Leads procurement and selection activities and prepares evaluations, recommendations, and Governing Board items. During construction, administers contracts and oversees construction managers, inspectors, consultants, and contractors; reviews schedules, submittals, requests for information, payment applications, change orders, time extensions, claims, field conditions, and contractor performance; and coordinates startup, operational turnover, warranties, and project closeout. Communicates project status, risks, decisions, and recommendations to District management, the Governing Board, partner agencies, stakeholders, and the public.

Skilled In:

Supervising, coaching, evaluating, and developing engineers, project managers, and inspectors; assigning work and balancing resources across multiple projects; managing complex, multidisciplinary projects; quality control and quality assurance; writing and negotiating scopes, fees, schedules, work orders, contract amendments, and consultant assignments; directing consultants and contractors; reviewing technical deliverables, plans, specifications, estimates, schedules, invoices, and contract documents; identifying project risks, establishing priorities, maintaining decision and action records, and resolving issues before they materially affect cost, schedule, quality, or operations; procurement planning and evaluation; construction contract administration and field issue resolution; preparing clear technical, contractual, financial, and executive communications; presenting recommendations and project status to management, the Governing Board, agencies, stakeholders, and the public; using standard office, scheduling, geographic information system, database, document management, and engineering software.

Minimum Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, civil, hydraulic, agricultural or water resource engineering. Registration with the State of Florida as a Professional Engineer (if registered in another State, ability to obtain registration within the State of Florida within six months of hiring), five years of subsequent experience directly related to the field in which the position is assigned. Experience must include one year of leading a project team, coordinating activities of a workgroup, or serving as a team lead.

Applicants must demonstrate experience serving as the Project Manager, Construction Manager, or Engineer of Record for a minimum of five (5) construction projects with an individual construction value greater than $1 million. Experience must include responsibility for project delivery, construction administration, contractor coordination, budget and schedule management, and resolution of construction-related issues.

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental, civil, hydraulic, agricultural or water resource engineering can substitute for the required non-supervisory experience.

Physical Requirements/Working Environment:

Mostly general office environment with some fieldwork required; ability to work outdoors in Florida throughout the year; the ability to walk in natural areas with rugged terrain and heavy vegetation.

License:

State of Florida Professional Engineer license.

Valid State of Florida Driver’s License.

Additional Details:

Starting Salary Range: $91,145.60 - $123,032.00

Starting salary is based on qualifications and experience.

Benefits include Florida Retirement System, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid leave and holidays, professional development, wellness program, and eligible for public service student loan forgiveness program.

Your application will receive careful consideration and, if selected for an interview, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. St. Johns River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans’ Preference/Drug-Free and Tobacco-Free Workplace

Location: Apopka, Palatka, or Palm Bay

Closing Date: Open until filled

The St. Johns River Water Management District is an environmental agency whose work is focused on ensuring a long-term supply of drinking water, and to protect and restore the health of water bodies in the District’s 18 counties in northeast and east-central Florida. The Bureau of District Projects and Construction is responsible for the design and implementation of projects that meet the missions of the District. Enjoy work-life balance in a professional culture with competitive pay and benefits. 

Job Summary:  

Advanced independent professional hydrologic and/or hydrogeologic work, performing advanced research for hydrologic projects, preparing, and reviewing technical hydrologic publications, or managing the design and construction of hydrologic/hydrogeologic projects. Positions within this classification may perform lead work.

Job duties include: 

• Evaluates geophysical and lithologic log data; produces interpretations of geophysical and lithologic log data in informal or published reports, GIS formats, verbal communications, and applicable software. Uses geostatistical and GIS software to produce surfaces and 3D geologic models of hydrogeologic units. Use geophysical software for retrieval, display, and interpretation of geophysical logs and other applicable borehole data.

• Project Manager for contractual well construction and maintenance services; coordinates project  administration, including preparation of contract documents, project time lines, and project budgets; coordinates with project team members to ensure well construction specifications and testing requirements are in compliance with drilling plan goals and objectives; prepares work order specifications, contract proposals, and initiates actions to assure achievement of project goals; develops and tracks progress of work orders and approves associated invoices.

• Processes borehole geophysical log data; manages geophysical log database development; and provides technical support and mentoring to field staff regarding geophysical log data collection.

• Evaluates, compiles, analyzes, and interprets hydrologic and geophysical data using mapping and statistical methods; coordinates data processing; prepares and writes field and technical reports on the results of hydrogeologic investigations.

Skilled In: 

Interacting with a team of advanced professionals, participating with professional staff; establishing project goals and objectives; developing and tracking project progress and planning activities; analysis of networks, geological, hydrological, chemical and other physical data; conducting geostatistical statistical analyses; contract development and management; database and database query development and management; design and preparation of project proposals or scopes of work; editing and providing technical review of reports, papers, memoranda prepared by other staff members; writing comprehensive technical documents, reports, and scientific papers.

Ability To:

Establishing project goals and objectives; developing and tracking project progress and planning activities; the use of geophysical software; contract development and management; database and database query development; design and preparation of project proposals or scopes of work; editing and providing technical review of reports, papers, memoranda prepared by other staff members; writing comprehensive technical documents, reports, and scientific papers; the use of ArcGIS software, and software for visualizing geophysical and geologic log data or log interpretations; interpretations from geophysical data; project development and maintenance of the Hydrogeologic Information System.

Minimum Qualifications: 

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in geology, hydrology, hydrogeology or related field and five years of experience in hydrology or hydrogeology; or registration with the State of Florida as a professional geologist or professional engineer. 

An advanced degree may substitute for a portion of the required experience. Professional experience in the areas described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required education. 

Physical Requirements/Working Environment: 

Office environment sitting at a desk and operating a personal computer to produce work products with field work and or field visits as required. 

Field work and or field visits: 

Occasional field (land & water) work; ability to endure harsh outdoor conditions; load and unload field equipment in motor vehicles; mount, dismount and drive motor vehicles; traverse rough terrain on foot; some overnight travel may be required.

Licenses: 

Requires a valid Florida driver's license. 

Florida Professional Geologist license or pursing is preferred.

Additional Details: 

Starting Salary Range: $67,496.00 - $87,734.40

Starting salary is based on qualifications and experience. 

Benefits include Florida Retirement System, paid parental leave, health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long-term disability, paid leave and holidays, professional development, wellness program, and eligible for public service student loan forgiveness program. 

Your application will receive careful consideration and, if selected for an interview, you will be contacted to schedule an appointment. St. Johns River Water Management District participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is an internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.  

Certain service members and veterans, and the spouses and family members of such service members and veterans will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply.  

Equal Employment Opportunity/Veterans’ Preference/Drug-Free and Tobacco-Free Workplace 

Location: Palatka 

Closing Date:  September 16, 2026