The Opportunity
Friant Water Authority is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Chief Executive Officer. An extraordinary career opportunity to join one of the most creative and innovative special water authorities in the United States as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO is responsible for the leadership of a forward thinking organization dedicated to advocating rational approaches to current and future water issues in California and the San Joaquin Valley. If you are a proven water executive looking for a complex and challenging career opportunity and want to make a big difference in California water, please apply.
About Friant Water Authority
Friant Water Authority (FWA) is a joint powers authority formed by its members under California law to operate and maintain the Friant-Kern Canal and works to preserve and enhance water supplies and water rights for contractors of the Friant Division of the Central Valley Project. FWA regularly coordinates with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and California Department of Water Resources, as well as other state and federal agencies on water supply issues, and advocates on state and federal water-related legislation and policy. Current membership is composed of 23 organizations that include water, storage, and public utility districts, as well as the Cities of Fresno and Lindsay.
Friant water is delivered to approximately 1.3 million acres, and provides vital supplies to more than 15,000 family farms and 6 cities in the east side of the southern San Joaquin Valley. Friant deliveries support agricultural production in 6 out of the top 10 most productive counties nationwide, as well as the groundwater supplies for more than 50 small or rural communities on the east side. FWA currently has a total staff of 57 capable full-time employees and a FY 2026 Operations, Maintenance, and Replacement budget of approximately $14 million dollars and an annual General Membership Budget of approximately $2.5 million dollars.
The Position of CEO
The Chief Executive Officer is an at-will contract position appointed by FWA’s Board of Directors to lead and manage the Authority. The CEO will have full charge and control of FWA’s work and is directly responsible for delivering concrete results. The primary role of this executive position is a leadership/water advocacy role with responsibility for representing and protecting the water interests of member agencies. The CEO is under the direction of the FWA Board of Directors and is responsible for implementing the strategic plan, decisions, and policies as determined by the Board of Directors. The CEO has responsibility for the management and administration of FWA’s operations including, but not limited, to working closely with the Board of Directors to lead strategic initiatives toward strengthening efforts in carrying out the mission and ensuring FWA’s long-term sustainability.
Ideal Candidate
Leadership – The ideal candidate will have a track record of building support within an organization and effectively leading that organization to achieve specific outcomes with elected and appointed local, State, and Federal officials.
Advocacy – The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to act and communicate as FWA’s external spokesperson – acting as an ambassador between FWA and various governmental, policy, media, representatives, as well as other special interest groups.
Critical Thinking – The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of understanding and distilling complex issues that may or may not be water policy or regulatory-related. The Board of Directors is willing to consider someone who provides a fresh and independent perspective while also able to grasp the complexities, challenges, and opportunities of FWA’s mission. In summary, the greatest responsibility of the CEO is the ability to effectively develop and implement strategies that best achieve FWA’s goals and objectives in support of its member agencies.
Management and Team Work
FWA has a very strong senior leadership team of dedicated water professionals. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working effectively with professional staff and fostering a collaborative, team-oriented environment. Likewise, because FWA includes 21 member districts and two municipalities, the ideal candidate must bring a strong record of forging consensus among entities with differing perspectives.
Qualifying Experience and Education Experience
The successful candidate will have substantial executive level experience, with fifteen (15) years or more of leadership experience in a municipality, special district, or other government or private sector entity. The ideal candidate will also have five (5) years or more of experience in upper management, with a strong emphasis on knowledge of water systems, preferably in California. Policy development and implementation, water resources planning and management, water rights and water contract administration, and water utility operations knowledge is also desired. Top candidates will have achieved recognition through a progressively responsible career path. Career history must also include a verifiable track record of success, with recognition for exceptional integrity and ethics.
Qualifying experience may be drawn from (a) public sector experience; (b) private sector experience with a top-tier corporation; (c) consulting as an industry expert in utilities, engineering, or a related field; or (d) a combination of experience that can effectively demonstrate a keen understanding of the mission of FWA and the overall deliverables/ outcomes desired.
Education – A Bachelor’s degree from a fully accredited and recognized institution is a minimum requirement for this position.
Certifications – No certifications are required; however, financial, engineering, negotiation, or water utility-related credentials may be a strong plus when combined with applicable career experience.
To Be Considered
This RFP will close on December 31, 2025 at 5pm PT. To be considered, you must have emailed a complete submittal to worvis@friantwater.org.
Submittals must include the following:
Introductory cover letter;
Comprehensive resume;
Salary expectations;
Three (3) professional references.
The evaluation and selection process may consist of a supplemental questionnaire, written exercise(s), and interview(s) to further evaluate relative experience and overall suitability for this position.
The CEO’s annual salary will range from
$300,000 to $400,000, with final compensation determined by the Board of Directors based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Ideally, the new Chief Executive Officer will join the Friant Water Authority in January 2026.
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the recruitment process, please email or call Wilson Orvis at worvis@friantwater.org or (559) 420-1602.
The Friant Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer
