The City of Bakersfield’s Water Department will be led by a familiar face as Daniel Maldonado has been named Water Director by the City Manager following a highly-competitive months-long recruitment effort.
Most recently serving as Assistant Water Director, Maldonado’s appointment to Director is effective immediately.
“As a lifelong Bakersfield resident, it is a privilege to serve our community as Water Director,” Maldonado said. “I don’t take this responsibility lightly, and I am excited to work alongside our team of water professionals to build a sustainable and reliable water future for our city.”
Born and raised in Bakersfield, Maldonado is a Ridgeview High grad who went on to earn a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Cal State Bakersfield and later a master’s in Water Resource Management from Fresno State. He started his 14-year (and counting) career with the City of Bakersfield as a Laborer and later Service Maintenance Worker for Solid Waste under Public Works before transferring to the Water Department in 2015. With Water, Maldonado worked as a Canal Tender II, Engineering Technician, Water Planner, and finally Assistant Water Director.
With a depth of knowledge of the Kern River System, its operation and water rights, Maldonado has overseen major projects including the reconstruction and modernization of the Kern River Backup Weir at Coffee Road in 2025. The Kern River Backup Weir is a key piece of infrastructure allowing the City to efficiently manage water flows to protect property and people by reducing flood risk.
In 2023, one of the Kern River’s wettest years on record, Maldonado led a team to safely manage more than 2 million acre-feet of water through the City and Kern River Channel.
“I have great confidence in Daniel’s abilities as a leader and his overall knowledge of the not only the City’s water systems, but the Kern River as well,” City Manager Christian Clegg said. “His expertise will be invaluable as we navigate large projects in both water and wastewater in coming years.”
Maldonado succeeds Kris Budak as Water Director. Budak retired in July after leading the department for three years.