Three Valleys MWD restructures workforce to target SCADA security and operational technology

Three Valleys MWD restructures workforce to target SCADA security and operational technologyThe District will eliminate its Chief Administrative Officer role to fund a new technical position focused on securing critical infrastructure and reducing reliance on external IT consultants.

The Board unanimously approved a restructuring plan effective March 1, 2026, creating a new SCADA Electrical Technician position.

General Manager Matthew Litchfield cited emerging risks identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) as the driver for the new Operational Technology (OT) role.

The new position has a fully burdened annual cost of approximately $170,000, contributing to a net budget impact of $100,000 after accounting for savings from the eliminated CAO role.

The District intends to gradually phase out contracted IT support services as the internal SCADA technician assumes responsibility for critical systems.

Three Valleys Municipal Water District (TVMWD) has voted to realign its organizational structure to better address modern infrastructure threats, specifically approving the creation of a SCADA Electrical Technician position to manage Operational Technology (OT) and cybersecurity risks. During the February 4, 2026, Board of Directors meeting, General Manager Matthew Litchfield presented the restructuring proposal, which follows a strategic review prompted by the anticipated retirement of the District’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in October. Rather than replacing the CAO directly, the District will redistribute administrative duties and invest in technical expertise. Litchfield told the Board that since the adoption of the District’s Strategic Plan, "emerging operational risks," particularly those identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), have necessitated a shift in focus. Common sector vulnerabilities include legacy systems with outdated software, flat network architectures that lack segmentation, and unsecured remote access points that can leave infrastructure exposed. The new SCADA Electrical Technician classification is designed to support OT and critical infrastructure within operations, mitigating these threats and ensuring the security of the District's automated control systems. The restructuring results in an estimated annual cost savings of $72,000 from the elimination of the CAO position. However, the addition of the SCADA Electrical Technician, estimated at a fully burdened cost of $170,000, will result in a net annual fiscal impact of approximately $100,000 to the District’s budget. The position is proposed for funding beginning in the FY 2026/27 budget. Board President Mike Ti questioned whether the new internal role would allow the District to reduce reliance on outside vendors. "In the long term, we will phase out outside consultants that is currently doing that work right now and realize some savings from there?" Ti asked. Litchfield confirmed that while the transition would require time to onboard the new technician, the District plans to "start ratcheting back that scope of our contracted IT support" over time. This internal shift aims to address the specific challenges of IT/OT convergence, ensuring that personnel managing industrial control systems are specialized in preventing lateral movement attacks and ransomware exploits often missed by general IT maintenance. Director Jody Roberto emphasized that the decision followed a "robust workshop" where the Board reached consensus on the necessity of the reorganization. The motion to approve the restructuring passed unanimously. In addition to the technical role, the restructuring creates a Government Affairs Manager position to oversee legislative and external affairs, to be filled during a transition period before the current CAO departs.