San Dieguito River Park

Preserving and interpreting the natural and cultural resources of the San Dieguito River Valley

San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority Invites Applications for Executive Director

Opportunity to Lead an Excellent Team of Dedicated Employees and Continue Building a Premier Regional Open Space Park in San Diego County.

About the San Dieguito River Park JPA

The San Dieguito River Park Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was established in 1989 by six agencies (the cities of Del Mar, Escondido, Poway, San Diego, and Solana Beach, and the County of San Diego) as an independent public agency to establish and manage the San Dieguito River Valley Regional Open Space Park (San Dieguito River Park), an expansive river corridor extending more than 55 miles from the beach in Del Mar east to Volcan Mountain which sits above the Anza Borrego State Park.

The San Dieguito River Park is a collaborative effort. The JPA oversees over 3,000 acres of protected lands and manages 42 miles of public trails, including 49 completed miles of the planned 71 mile Coast to Crest Trail, with active projects underway to close the remaining gaps. Other areas within the park are owned and managed by other entities, such as the City and County of San Diego. The overarching goal is to create a regional open space greenbelt and park system that protects the waterways and natural and cultural resources, and to provide public access with a connecting recreational corridor of walking, equestrian, and bicycle trails.

The JPA manages assets valued in excess of $60 million with an annual operations budget of $1,974,423 (current fiscal year). These resources support habitat restoration, trail maintenance and management, project development, community outreach programs, facility maintenance, and long-term land management throughout the Park.

Position Overview

The Executive Director serves as the chief executive officer of the JPA and reports directly to its nine member Board of Directors. The role provides leadership and direction for a team of eleven staff members and is responsible for the full scope of the organization’s operations, including implementing the JPA’s long-term vision and objectives, land acquisition, development, maintenance, budgeting, personnel management, Board support, and public engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Administration

  • Lead staff to ensure proper operation and implementation of organizational objectives.
  • Oversee all daily operations of the JPA, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and excellence.
  • Prepare and manage the annual operations budget, financial reports, and work programs.
  • Ensure compliance with contracts, legal requirements, environmental regulations, and open meeting laws.
  • Advise the Board on strategic priorities, longterm needs, and financial planning.
  • Prepare agendas and staff reports for Board and committee meetings, and work directly with the JPA Board and committee chairs, JPA General Counsel, and member-agency staff.

Park Planning, Acquisition & Development

  • Advance Park planning initiatives and oversee trail development, with emphasis on completion of the Coast to Crest Trail.
  • Negotiate property acquisitions, trail easements, and conservation agreements.
  • Oversee capital projects, habitat restoration, and longterm resource management.
  • Coordinate with JPA member agencies, regional partners, and advisory committees.
  • Lead collaborative project development with partners from concept to completion.

Funding, Grants & Strategic Initiatives

  • Identify grant and funding opportunities, develop applications and secure funds for capital projects.
  • Collaborate with nonprofit and community partners on fundraising and public programming.

Qualifications

Applicants should have at least ten years of experience working in positions that focus on one or more of the following areas: i) natural resource protection, ii) parks and recreation, iii) open space management. Public sector experience is essential. Applicants should possess proven leadership skills, be excellent communicators, and be able to build and maintain consensus among the member agencies.

The selected person should have good general experience in budget development and fiscal management, human resources management, land use and open space planning and development, attainment and management of project grants, property acquisition and negotiating skills, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.

Applicants must possess a college degree focused on natural resources, urban planning or environmental sciences. A degree in another field accompanied by other degrees or educational certificates focused on the appropriate areas will also be considered.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Salary Range: $130,000 – $170,000
  • Defined benefit retirement via County of San Diego CERS
  • Vacation, holidays, executive leave
  • Medical benefits and flexible spending options

Application Procedure and Filing Deadline

Candidates must submit a cover letter and detailed resume by March 13, 2026. Resumes should include a description and dates of positions held and reason for leaving. A list of three references with contact information should also be provided. Application materials should be sent via email to:

D. Wayne Brechtel
General Counsel
462 Stevens Avenue, Suite 100
Solana Beach, CA 92075.
Email: dwb@wordenwilliams.com

Selection Process and Timeframe

A subcommittee of the JPA Board of Directors will review submitted materials and conduct preliminary interviews of selected candidates. Finalist interviews will be completed by the Board of Directors; the selection process is scheduled to be completed by the end of May. The start date for the new Executive Director position is anticipated to be June 1, 2026 or as soon thereafter as is feasible.


Category: