City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager

Under limited direction, this position reduces wildfire risk by creating resilience through proactive planning, analytics, technology, operational excellence, strategic partnerships, and compliance for the electric system.

1. Leads wildfire mitigation activities for Austin Energy (AE) by developing and establishing program goals, objectives, and strategies.
2. Acts as a change agent; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness; develops and implements strategies for continuous improvement.
3. Serves as a wildfire mitigation expert and provides authoritative knowledge, analysis, advice, and recommendations that ensure effective risk management and mitigation.
4. Coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders in interactions involving wildfire risk trends, common issues and best practices, and the development of effective mitigation strategies.
5. Creates, maintains, and communicates AE’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan and Public Safety Power Shutoff program.
6. Leads department strategic projects and initiatives under the Wildfire Mitigation Plan. Develops cross-divisional project teams across all the organization’s functional areas.
7. Identifies and maintains wildfire risk metrics and key performance metrics for each initiative. Demonstrates and quantifies the reduction of risk due to the programs put in place.
8. Establishes and maintains controls and reporting to manage and monitor budget, scope, quality, schedule, and risks across the portfolio of wildfire mitigation projects; maintains overall program completion that is on time and within budget.

May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods in developing and implementing a wildfire management program for a utility.
• Knowledge of methods and principles of fire suppression, fire investigation, and fire prevention.
• Knowledge of the utility industry: trends, issues, business operations, safety practices, and regulations.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances governing the electric utility industry.
• Knowledge of electric industry reliability practices, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Knowledge of electric utility engineering or construction standards and practices.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge and skill in process improvement concepts, methods, and practices (Six Sigma, Agile, etc.).
• Knowledge of technology and capabilities that reduce potential wildfire damages through proper selection of resources, system improvements, and early warning detection systems that increase human safety.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of risk.
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills to effectively partner with leaders and peers and facilitate effective cross-functional team building.
• Ability to develop wildfire management plans and carry out fire preventions programs, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to quickly recognize, analyze, and respond to irregular events.
• Ability to train others.

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in wildfire mitigation, fire suppression, fire investigation, or fire management to include at least one year of experience related to electric utility system operations
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience