City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Director, Austin Water

Under direction of the Assistant City Manager, this position directs Austin Water services including water and wastewater services and treatment, reclaimed water services, field operations and maintenance, engineering, environmental, planning and development, information technology and security, customer experience, financial services, and business services.

1. Provides oversight and direction to the operations and maintenance of the City’s water and wastewater systems and services.
2. Establishes departmental rules and regulations.
3. Provides oversight and direction to the Department capital improvement program.
4. Ensures compliance with governmental rules and regulations.
5. Offers testimony before appropriate regulatory and governmental bodies.
6. Maintains liaison with local, State and Federal agencies concerning utility regulations, grants, and procedures.
7. Provides oversight and direction to the utility's annual operating and capital improvement program budget for submission to the City Manager.
8. Provides oversight and direction to utility financial and rate analysis and decisions.
9. Represents the utility before the Mayor and Council, Water & Wastewater Commission, other City departments, County, State and Federal officials, customers, professional associations, and the public.
10. Provides oversight and direction to the development of short- and long-term planning goals and objectives for the utility.
11. Provides oversight and direction to the utility’s physical and cyber security and emergency management.
12. Provides oversight and direction to the utility’s customer services, public information, and community engagement.
13. Serves on various task groups and committee within the City.

• Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and dismissal.

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, Local laws, and ordinances governing water, wastewater, and reclaimed water.
• Knowledge of city practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of the principals and practices of public administration.
• Skill in directing the activities of a large and complex organization.
• Skill in analyzing problems related to service delivery.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Skill in conducting presentations on behalf of a public entity.
• Skill in projecting needs for equipment and personnel and formulating operating budgets.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the City Manager and staff, Mayor, and City Council, other department heads, media, city employees and the public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with city employees and the public.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to Business Administration, Engineering, or Public Administration, plus ten (10) years of progressively responsible management experience including at least five (5) years of experience with a water and wastewater utility.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university with related course work may substitute for up to two (2) years of the required work experience.

• None.