Data is as of 6/15/2025.
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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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City Manager
FLSA: Executives/1 EEO Category: (10) Official/Adm
Class Code: 11565 Salary Grade: E00
Approved: December 09, 2002 Last Revised: January 21, 2025

Purpose:
 

The City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer for the city, providing executive leadership and representation on all matters concerning  city government.  Responsible for planning, directing, managing, and reviewing all activities and operations of the city; coordinates programs, services, and activities among city departments and outside agencies; ensures the financial integrity of the municipal organization; represents the city’s interests; provides highly responsible and complex policy advice and administrative support to the Mayor and City Council.  Exercises direct supervision over management, professional, and clerical staff.
 
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.
  1. Directs and manages the development and implementation of City goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for each service area; establishes appropriate service and staffing levels; allocates resources accordingly.
  2. Monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of City service delivery methods and procedures; assesses and monitors work load, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; and directs the implementation of change.
  3. Administers the representation of the City to elected and appointed officials of County, State, and Federal government and outside agencies; explains and justifies City programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolvessensitive, significant, and controversial issues.
  4. Provides highly responsible policy analysis and administrative staff assistance to the Mayor and City Council; and direct specific and comprehensive analyses of a wide range of municipal policies; prepare policy and procedural proposals for review and adoption by the City Council. 
  5. Attends City Council meetings and workshops; oversees the preparation of meeting agendas and supporting materials; presents staff recommendations; and responds to questions and direction from City Council.
  6. Directs, oversees, and monitors the development and administration of the City’s budget; directs the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; controls expenditures; implements mid-year adjustments; and keeps the City Council fully informed on matters related to the financial condition of the city.
  7. Executes deeds, deeds of trust, easements, releases, contracts and other instruments binding the City to financial obligations. 
  8. Responds to and resolves sensitive inquiries and complaints from both internal and external sources.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities of all senior management personnel including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and 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 modern and highly complex principles and practices of municipal administration and organization in order to effectively formulate and implement strategic planning initiatives. 
  • Knowledge of principles and practices of municipal finance, budget preparation, and administration.  
  • Knowledge of current social, political, and economic trends and operating problems of municipal government.
  • Knowledge of organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs.
  • Skill in maintaining effective working relationships with employees, management staff, council members, and the general public.
  • Skill in the study and evaluation of procedures to determine appropriate actions.  
  • Skill in planning, organizing and evaluating the action of others.  
  • Ability to provide effective leadership and coordinate the activities of a municipal organization.
  • Ability to effectively administer a variety of City wide programs and administrative activities.
  • Ability to identify and respond to the public and City Council issues and concerns.
  • Ability to interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policy, procedure, law, and regulation.
  • Ability to analyze problems, provide alternatives, identify solutions in support of established goals, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations.
  • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with City Council, government officials, community groups, and the general public and media representatives.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Government, Public Administration, Business, or related field. Masters degree is a plus. 
  • Eight (8) years of management and administrative experience in a municipal government, including five (5) years of senior executive level management experience in a comparable community.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
  None.

This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty required of the position given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The listing of duties and responsibilities shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.