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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Austin Energy Deputy General Manager & Chief Operating Officer


FLSA: Executives/2 EEO Category: (10) Official/Adm
Class Code: 19033 Salary Grade: E00
Approved: June 22, 1999 Last Revised: January 19, 2023


Purpose:
 

Reporting to the General Manager, this position operates with a high level of autonomy as the Chief Operating Officer for Austin Energy (AE). The Chief Operating Officer provides leadership, oversight and strategic direction for utility operations of the City’s electric utility including Transmission, Distribution, Engineering, Field Operations, Power Production, Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning functions (Operations Functions). This position has full responsibility for the Operations Functions of the electric utility.

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. Accountable for the overall leadership, direction, and financial management of AE Operations Functions, including emergency management and compliance with all associated regulatory requirements.
  2. Accountable for the operational performance of AE assets including safety, reliability, environmental responsibility, and cost-effective operations and maintenance.
  3. Accountable for planning and deploying operational strategic capital investments and the prudent management of risk, including risk associated with operating in the ERCOT wholesale market.
  4. Accountable for the timely and accurate recording and reporting of operational criteria for Austin Energy in accordance with all applicable policies, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
  5. Accountable for the planning, deployment, management and security of strategic data and technology resources in support of AE Operations Functions.
  6. Accountable for the effective and efficient planning, management, and development of the AE operations workforce with an emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  7. Responsible for representing AE in matters of interest with governmental and regulatory agencies, boards, councils, and commissions, as well as partnership with oversight bodies.
  8. Responsible for advising the General Manager and other executives on matters pertaining to AE Operations Functions and ensure all functions are operating together effectively to achieve strategic initiatives and goals.
  9. Responsible for assuming AE General Manager 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 local, state, and federal laws; regulations and ordinances affecting the utility.
  • Knowledge and expertise in the areas of electric industry and municipal utility Transmission, Distribution, Engineering, Field Operations, Power Production, Energy Market Operations, and Resource Planning functions.
  • Knowledge of strategic business planning, reengineering, organizational change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
  • Skill to develop flexible and adaptable strategies to achieve organizational goals by understanding the organizational capabilities and external market conditions, the regulatory environment, and technological advancements; ability to design short and long-term strategies and programs that are scalable and efficient in a large and complex organization.
  • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with city employees, City Council, the media, and the public.
  • Skill in creating customer value and addressing evolving customer needs; ability to meet customer expectations.
  • Ability to implement current best practices of leadership and management through training and maintaining an engaged work environment; develop staff to act with a focus on the future, be adaptable,  overcome resistance to change and execute with a sense of urgency.
  • Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.
  • Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities or populations to build constructive and effective relationships.
  • Ability to develop, implement and administer goals, objectives and procedures for providing effective and efficient services for Austin Energy and the City of Austin.
  • Ability to work with and coordinate between multiple city departments and internal business units to meet goals and objectives.
  • Ability to make decisions and develop innovative approaches to deal with frequent change or unexpected events, handle conflict and uncertain situations.
  • Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; develop and deliver public presentations.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Engineering or in a field related to the job.
  • Minimum eight (8) years of progressively increasing responsibilities relevant to the electric utility industry; including four (4) years in an executive capacity.
  • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for (2) two years of the required non-executive experience.
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.