DPC Chair Diane Burgis
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 6, 2025) – The Delta Protection Commission is seeking a new Executive Director to guide protection and enhancement of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region.
The DPC is one of three Delta-focused state agencies, and the only one overseen by an independent Commission composed mainly of elected representatives of Delta counties, cities, and reclamation districts.
“The Delta is rich in natural resources, agricultural production, history, and diverse communities and cultures. But it’s also a fragile place that needs our protection and support,” said Commission Chair Diane Burgis, who is a Contra Costa County supervisor.
“We’re looking for someone who can navigate the complexities of working with a variety of local, state, and federal agencies while providing strong vision, leadership, and direction for a staff of eight,” Burgis said.
More details, including key attributes of an ideal candidate, are available here.
What the DPC Does
The functions of the DPC include:
Land Use: Protecting legacy communities and the agricultural nature of the Delta by ensuring a variety of land-use decisions in the Primary Zone (PDF) conform with the Land Use and Resource Management Plan (PDF). The state Legislature has given the Commission authority to appeal these decisions, and hear appeals brought by others.
National Heritage Area: Promoting the Delta’s historic and cultural riches as the agency designated by Congress to coordinate the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area. The Delta is the first and only NHA in California. NHAs are supported by the National Park Service, but locally run and non-regulatory.
Great California Delta Trail: Fostering healthy connections to and through the Delta as the agency designated by the Legislature to coordinate the Great California Delta Trail. More than a single trail, the GCDT is envisioned as a network of land and water trails that will connect the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento.
Other DPC efforts include advocating for funding for levee maintenance and repairs, economic sustainability, community planning, and promoting the Delta as a place worthy of recognition, respect, and protection.
It also advocates for Delta interests with regard to the proposed Delta Conveyance Project.
Applying
To be considered for this exceptional career opportunity, immediately submit your resume, cover letter, and a list of six work-related references (two supervisors, two direct reports, and two colleagues, who will not be contacted until final stages and only with prior permission of the candidate). Resume should reflect years and months of employment, beginning/ending dates, as well as size of staff and budgets you have managed.
Resume review will begin the morning of Monday, July 7, 2025.
Please submit your application here.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (June 2, 2025) – The Delta Protection Commission is accepting applications for four seats and additional alternates on its Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area Advisory Committee.
The incumbents, who are all eligible to serve additional terms, are Dwayne Eubanks, David Stuart, Dan Whaley, Stuart Walthall, and alternate Paulette Hennum.
The committee, governed by this charter (PDF), advises the Delta Protection Commission about implementation of the National Heritage Area Management Plan (PDF) and acts as ambassadors to the diverse partners and communities in the NHA.
The committee is chaired by the Delta Protection Commission Executive Director or their designee, and includes two members of the Delta Protection Commission, 12 members of the public, and non-voting ex officio members representing the Legislature and public agencies.
Interested members of the public may apply to serve on this committee through 5 p.m. July 18. The Delta Protection Commission is expected to make the appointments Sept. 18.
Committee members are expected to attend six bimonthly in-person meetings per year, which are held in and around the NHA at rotating locations.
Apply for the openings here, or use the form below.
If you have questions, please email dpc@delta.ca.gov.
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (May 16, 2025) – The Delta Protection Commission is accepting applications for a seat on the Delta Protection Advisory Committee (DPAC). There is an opening for Agriculture Seat 1 due to a mid-term resignation.
The appointee will serve the remainder of the term, which expires May 2026. Because there are no term limits, the appointee will be eligible to apply next year to serve a full three-year term.
The application period closes at 5 p.m. June 30.
DPAC provides recommendations to the Delta Protection Commission on diverse interests within the Delta. Committee members are expected to attend six meetings per year. DPAC typically meets on the first Tuesday of even-numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, and December), though meeting dates may occasionally shift. Meetings are held in the Delta at rotating locations.
Apply for the opening here.
If you have questions, please contact Delta Protection Commission Interim Executive Director Dan Ray at dan.ray@delta.ca.gov.
OAKLEY, Calif. (May 15, 2025) – The Delta Protection Commission appointed two new members and re-appointed three incumbents to the Delta Protection Advisory Committee (DPAC) on Thursday.
The new appointees are Jerred Dixon for the Delta Conservation/Habitat NGO seat and Jeffrey Twitchell to the Delta Flood Entity seat.
Dixon is the director of Staten Island, a Nature Conservancy farm managed for wildlife-friendly agriculture. He is a graduate of the Delta Leadership Program.
Twitchell is a flood protection engineering consultant and advisor to eight Delta Legacy Communities.
The incumbents who were reappointed Thursday are:
- Arron Pellarin, Delta Business (Seat 1)
- Anna Swenson, Delta General Public (Seat 1)
- Russell Ryan, Delta Water Exporter
All five will serve three-year terms.
L-R: Arron Pellarin, Russ Ryan, Anna Swenson
DPAC provides recommendations to the Delta Protection Commission on diverse interests within the Delta, including the Delta’s socioeconomic sustainability, recreation, agriculture, flood control, environment, utility infrastructure, and other Delta issues. The Committee was created by the Delta Protection Act, Public Resources Code Section 29753(a).
