city seal

City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

city seal

Chief Technology Officer - Electric Utility
FLSA: Standard/Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 12669 Salary Grade: ZP5
Approved: October 01, 2002 Last Revised: September 11, 2017

Purpose:
 
The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is responsible for development and execution of Austin Energy's Strategic Plan and Utility Technology Roadmap as well as the management of the Information Technology enterprise architecture for infrastructure and applications.  Within the scope of Strategic Plan the CTO will manage long term capital planning through a prioritization process based on risk based business cases.  The CTO will leverage the strategic work performed at individual business units as inputs to produce a coordinated and consistent plan for the company.

The CTO will provide direction for achieving the goals set forth in the Strategic Plan by working collaboratively with the Executive Team and ensure that tactical plans, projects and strategies emanating from the Plan are integrated and aligned. The CTO will oversee a broad range of technologies, including the assessment, demonstration, development of technology associated with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as the evaluation of technologies for environmental mitigation and customer end use. In addition, the CTO will work with the CIO to develop and implement processes for evaluating information systems and other technology initiatives that may be applied across the organization.  
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. Responsible for the creation and continuous update of the Austin Energy Strategic Plan, that leverages strategic initiatives within the department business units and will take into account future developing technologies across the utility value chain that positions the utility for continued success while achieving comprehensive sustainable energy goals.
  2. Examines Austin Energy's environmental and affordability goals and directs short and long-range strategic planning and analysis of electric utility and energy industry trends to recommend future goals for the company
  3. Facilitates the study of new technologies and their applicability to AE assets as well as in meeting customer energy needs into the future. This includes more flexible and reliable generation assets, smarter transmission and distribution grids and distributed energy resources. 
  4. Responsible for enterprise architecture, developing and maintaining the architectural blueprint and ensuring architecture is aligned with the company’s operating model, strategic goals, and objectives
  5. Works collaboratively with the CIO and other departments to develop and implement practical and cost-effective processes for evaluating and implementing technology projects
  6. Analyzes future opportunities and threats; assesses long-term energy resource uncertainty and risk; and makes recommendations to Austin Energy's executive management on how best to position the utility for continued success. 
  7. Develops and recommends new technologies for improved condition monitoring and inspection techniques to improve the asset management of our generation and transmission equipment
  8. Working in partnership with other AE organizations, manages collaborative research through industry and academic research groups 
  9. Coordinates the examination, analysis, and development of innovative business models that will enable Austin Energy to achieve comprehensive sustainable energy goals. 
  10. Conducts long-range planning and project prioritization through risk based business cases at the request of Austin Energy business units by providing resources and personnel to meet their needs
  11. Develops effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders that advance Austin Energy's understanding and knowledge of promising clean energy technologies. 
  12. Leads cross-functional project teams. Promotes change in culture and business systems that will ensure achievement of strategic goals within the organization
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:
 
  • Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and discharge. 
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 supervisory and managerial techniques and principles
  • Knowledge of electric utility and energy industry and technologies relevant to the utility industry
  • Knowledge of approaches to strategic and technology planning
  • Knowledge of the application of enterprise architecture to guide organizations towards achieving strategic vision  
  • Keeps apprised of relevant technologies to integrate into the long term strategic vision of the company
  • Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation
  • Knowledge of best practices related to change management
  • Knowledge of Federal, State, Local laws, and ordinances that apply to utility operations
  • Knowledge of city practice, policy, and procedure
  • Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations
  • Skill in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting applicable data
  • Skill in oral and written communication
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing
  • Skill in using computers and related software applications
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions/changes in priorities
  • Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events
  • Ability to establish and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with city employees and the public
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Information Systems or Computer Science or other degree related to the job, plus seven (7) years’ experience related to electric utility, two (2) years of which were in a managerial capacity and two (2) years which included information technology related operations or planning. 
  • Master’s Degree may substitute for experience up to a maximum of two (2) years
Licenses and Certifications Required:
 
  • Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License

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.