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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Assistant Director, Homeland Security & Emergency Management
FLSA: Executives/2 EEO Category: (10) Official/Adm
Class Code: 10452 Salary Grade: E00
Approved: Last Revised: March 27, 2025

Purpose:
 

Under the direction of the Director, this position oversees the operations of the City of Austin Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM), including emergency preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, prevention, and continuity planning.
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 emergency operations activities to ensure preparedness, and efficient and effective response.
  2. Prepares short- and long-range planning goals and objectives for emergency response operations.
  3. Determines goals, objectives, and resource requirements for HSEM activities.
  4. Ensures compliance with city, state and federal government rules and regulations.
  5. Assists in the preparation and monitoring of the operating budget; identifies budgetary needs.
  6. Coordinates and collaborates with multiple stakeholders on interdepartmental and interagency issues, projects, and protocols.
  7. Monitors and evaluates program effectiveness and implements improvement strategies.
  8. Represents the department before the Mayor and Council, City departments, County, State and Federal officials, customers, professional associations, and the general public.
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 and understanding of technical requirements, logistics, materials and operations, rules, regulations, and laws associated with emergency management and preparedness activities and programs.
  • Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
  • Knowledge of the principals and practices of public administration.
  • Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
  • Skill in oral and written communications.
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  • Skill in using computers and related software applications. Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
  • Skill in management of emergency-related incidents.
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations
  • Skill in problem-solving
  • Ability to maintain effective communication and working relationships with elected officials, city employees and the public.
  • Ability to multi-task with demanding timeframes
  • Ability to handle sensitive, highly-nuanced interactions during situations/events that may be complex, stressful, and/or unfamiliar.
Minimum Qualifications:
 

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Liberal Arts, Public Administration, Business Management, Emergency Management, Homeland Security, or in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible work in emergency management/public safety administration, two (2) years of which were in a managerial capacity.
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 

Associate Emergency Manager, Certified Texas Emergency Manager or Certified Emergency Manager or ability to be certified within two (2) years.

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.