City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Austin Energy Chief of Staff

Reporting to the General Manager (GM) with nominal direction, this position acts as a key member of the Austin Energy (AE) executive team, providing policy and strategic advice. This position has responsibility for leadership and direction to include managing the flow and exchange of information and streamlining interactions with staff, City officials, and others. This position conducts research, as requested, for strategic and special projects and drives initiatives on behalf of the AE GM. This position serves as a liaison to the Office of the City Manager, Mayor and Council, other City departments, and external stakeholders on behalf of the AE GM. Additionally, this position provides oversight and direction for AE's internal audit function and equity and inclusion program.

1. Supervises, coordinates, and directs select activities of the AE GM’s office and assists with day-to-day operations, ensuring attention to detail.
2. Assists the AE GM with planning for the organization and communicates on behalf of the GM in an official capacity.
3. Prepares and revises requests for information on behalf of the AE GM for the Office of the City Manager and Mayor and Council; addresses challenges; and resolves problems in a consistent fashion, observing City, State, and Federal laws, policies, regulations, and operating agreements.
4. Works with AE leadership team and assists in the development of broad organizational policies and strategic initiatives to ensure the department’s strategic goals, strategies, objectives, and performance measures are effectively communicated to City of Austin officials, customers, and stakeholders.
5. Ensures AE GM is well-prepared with briefing materials and aware of key issues required for participation in meetings, conferences, and other scheduled events.
6. Identifies and manages critical issues that have significant impact to the AE GM’s executive strategy for organizational effectiveness, improvement, and goals.
7. Assists with development of policies, procedures, regulations, and work processes to improve efficient organizational operations at AE.
8. Participates and collaborates with other City departments and department directors in coordinating directives to collect relevant data and resources to obtain insight and perspectives related to critical decisions and draft decision briefs, including preliminary option analysis and impact on AE, staff, and community, for the AE GM and executive team.
9. Participates in financial briefings and gains thorough understanding of AE’s budget, revenues, and unique relationship to the general fund of the City of Austin.
10. Prepares and contributes to the preparation of reports, briefings, presentations, and responses on AE’s issues as appropriate.
11. Manages assigned staff and special projects as directed by the AE GM.
12. Oversees staff responsible for Equity and Inclusion programs and Internal Audit functions.
13. Ensures the utility makes continuous improvements based on collaboration, impartial analysis, and industry standards that support AE’s mission.

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

• Knowledge of Public Administration principles, fiscal planning, budget preparation, and budget management.
• Knowledge and understanding of utility operations, services, practices, and policies pertinent to the business.
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Knowledge of the ways that policies and systems imbedded in the workplace and community perpetuate structural and institutional racism.
• Skill in negotiation and influencing others.
• Skill in analyzing and solving complex problems.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations
• Skill in developing and making effective presentations.
• Skill in developing strategies to achieve organizational goals by understanding AE’s organizational capabilities and internal audit functions.
• Skill in managing a diverse workforce to support operational business plans and meet control procedures.
• Ability to remain focused in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment, ensuring that all open items relating to the AE GM office are completed in a timely manner and with attention to detail.
• Ability to demonstrate interpersonal savvy and comfort in working with senior management and to foster teamwork in a team environment.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, manage competing high-priority work demands, and maintain attention to detail.
• Ability to perform under pressure and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to understand and explain complex issues to non-utility stakeholders.
• Ability to navigate applicable software applications to collect, analyze, and report data; and share information.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in writing and orally, particularly in taking complex subjects and distill into an understandable format, and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to interpret, explain, and apply City and AE policies and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City, State, and Federal officials; and the general public.

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business, Engineering, Public Administration or in a field related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in a role involved with the management and direction of a complex organization in a field related to the job, including two (2) years of experience which were in a lead, supervisory, project management, or program management capacity.

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