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 Board of County Commissioners 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 resume; (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.
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.
Signature: Date:
Overview
As outlined in the Polk County Charter, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) is the governing body of Polk County. Each commissioner is elected by a countywide vote.
Duties and Powers
The County Commission adopts an annual budget which includes appropriations for services provided by county government including the Sheriff, Property Appraiser, Tax Collector and Supervisor of Elections. This budget also includes appropriations in support of the Circuit and County Courts, State Attorney, Public Defender and Clerk of the Court. Some other responsibilities:
* levying taxes and fees,
* provide and maintain county buildings,
* provide fire protection and ambulance services,
* provide health and welfare programs,
* provide parks, preserves, playgrounds, libraries, museums, historical sites, recreation and cultural facilities and programs,
* prepare and enforce comprehensive plans for the development in the county,
* establish, coordinate, and enforce zoning and such business regulations as are necessary for the protection of the public,
* adopt and enforce building, housing and related technical codes and regulations,
* establish and administer programs of housing, slum clearance, community redevelopment, conservation, flood control, air pollution control,
* provide and regulate waste and sewage collection and disposal, water supply and conservation programs,
* provide and operate public transportation systems, roads, bridges and related facilities.
