About San Diego County Water Authority
What is the San Diego County Water Authority?
The San Diego County Water Authority is the wholesale water supplier for the western third of San Diego County — 22 member agencies serving about 3.3 million people. Created by the California State Legislature in 1944 under the County Water Authority Act, it imports Colorado River and State Water Project supply and is the sole recipient of the Claude "Bud" Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant — the largest seawater desalination plant in the nation. Its 2003 Quantification Settlement Agreement with the Imperial Irrigation District remains the largest farm-to-urban water conservation-and-transfer agreement in the country, and now underpins roughly half the county's supply.
Where will I work?
Headquarters at 4677 Overland Avenue in San Diego's Kearny Mesa, with an operations site in Escondido and a small Imperial Valley office. The schedule is location-mandated: Kearny Mesa staff "will work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday", while Escondido staff work a 4/10 with every Friday off (or 9/80). Eligible roles add a hybrid option — telework up to several days per week.
What is the Water Authority team like?
"The Water Authority employs about 250 professionals" — engineers, water-resources specialists, analysts, finance and public-affairs staff. Its recruiting practices stand out for a public agency: no AI auto-screening, and PII is removed during subject-matter-expert review to reduce bias.
Work-Life Balance
The fortnight is baked into the building: the entire Kearny Mesa facility closes every other Friday. The 2026 Benefit Summary adds 14 paid holidays (including three floating), and the authority pays 100% of monthly premiums for employees AND dependents on the basic health, dental and vision plans.
Perks and Benefits
- 9/80 schedule — "the entire facility is closed every other Friday" (Escondido: 4/10)
- Hybrid Work Schedule Option — telework several days per week on eligible roles
- "The Water Authority pays 100% of the monthly premiums for full-time employees and their dependents for the basic plans, inclusive of dental and vision."
- CalPERS pension — 2.5% at 55 (classic, authority pays 7% EPMC) / 2.0% at 62 (PEPRA)
- 14 paid holidays including 3 floating; vacation and sick 96 hours/year each
- Tuition reimbursement up to $3,000/fiscal year + employer 457(b) contribution up to $1,500/year + free on-site fitness center