Reporting to the Director of Austin Water (AW) and operating with a high level of autonomy, this position provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for AW’s policy objectives, strategic planning, administrative functions, and internal audit services.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Oversees staff and provides overall leadership and direction for the department’s Director’s office, Internal Audit, and Enterprise Strategic Planning divisions.
Sets direction and achieves results for reliable and efficient operations, customer service delivery, cost management, safety, security, and maintaining compliance with City and department policy as well as applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations and laws.
Works with the AW leadership team in establishing the department’s strategic priorities, and leads in the development of the utility’s strategic goals, mission and vision.
Advises executive staff on matters pertaining to operational efficiency and effectiveness and implements activities to identify and track AW performance measures ensuring utility operations achieve strategic initiatives and goals.
Identifies opportunities to enhance organizational performance as well as threats/risks that could jeopardize the organization from a financial, regulatory, public confidence, or culture perspective.
Establishes performance expectations, facilitates management efforts, promotes accountability, and develops engagement and buy-in throughout all levels of the organization.
Fosters and develops a culture of positive customer service in working relationships with key staff, division and department employees, other governmental organizations, citizens, legal counsel, boards and commissions, City Council, and with external services.
Represents AW before governmental and regulatory agencies, boards, councils, commissions, and joint-partnership oversight bodies.
Serves as a liaison to the Office of the City Manager, Mayor and Council, other City departments, and external stakeholders on behalf of the AW Director.
Facilitates communication and resolves complex and sensitive issues and complaints both internal and external.
Responds to public information requests on behalf of the AW Director for the Office of the City Manager and Mayor and Council by routing requests for City Council approval and manages the Austin Water Oversight Committee of Council and the Water and Wastewater Commission.
Supports all AW Emergency Management and Incident Management Team functionality and responses during emergency activations, including serving as Incident Commander or Deputy Incident Commander.
Assumes Director’s duties and responsibilities in their absence.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.
Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal water and wastewater utility regulations.
Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of pertinent utility operations, services, practices, and policies.
Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational development and change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
Knowledge of emergency management, including incident command, and business continuity planning.
Knowledge of personnel administration, and laws and regulations pertaining to personnel matters.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, City Council, the media, and the public.
Skill in leading and managing a diverse workforce including department employees and contractors.
Skill in oral and written communications.
Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in negotiations and conflict resolution.
Ability to organize and implement comprehensive programs.
Ability to understand complex issues and foster compromise along with daily interaction with all divisions and City departments/offices.
Ability to gather pertinent facts, make thorough analysis, arrive at sound conclusions, and formulate effective action plans.
Ability to present the department’s position and policies and respond to inquiries from City Council and City management.
Ability to manage multiple projects and programs simultaneously within approved budgets.
Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
Ability to effectively communicate with people at many levels inside the organization, with outside agencies, and with the community.
Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally, particularly in taking complex subjects and distill into an understandable format and prepare clear and concise reports.
Ability to interpret, explain, and apply City and AW policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Engineering, Public Administration or in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of progressively increasing responsibilities relevant to the municipal water and wastewater industry and managing complex organizations, including two (2) years of experience in a lead, supervisory, project management, or program management capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required:
None.

City of Austin

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