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City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

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Austin Water Business Strategy Manager


FLSA: Standard/Exempt EEO Category: (20) Professionals
Class Code: 19290 Salary Grade: WF7
Approved: October 24, 1997 Last Revised: November 07, 2019


Purpose:
 

Under nominal direction, this position develops utility business strategy and provides tactical leadership of multiple programs to include utility business development, utility service extension evaluations, utility district creation, contract management, and plan reviews of third-party utility improvements.

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. Provides strategic leadership of multiple programs to develop and implement the utility’s business strategy.
  2. Manages utility service contracts, reimbursement agreements, and grant programs to mitigate negative impacts of development and to ensure contracts conform to City policies.
  3. Interacts with internal and external customers to determine business needs, to respond to inquiries, and to investigate and resolve complaints.
  4. Applies advanced technical and managerial knowledge to meet departmental business goals and objectives; and develops standard operating procedures, policies, and ordinances.
  5. Monitors projects and programs for legal and regulatory compliance.
  6. Develops long- and short-term planning/strategies and markets programs to various customers.
  7. Develops and monitors budgets for multiple division CIP projects and programs.
  8. Acts as the utility’s liaison, attends meetings, makes presentations to the City Council, Boards, and Commissions.
  9. Provides testimony, editorial reviews, and analysis to internal and external counsel, City boards and councils, State and Federal legislatures in litigation matters, regulatory hearings, or legislative processes involving wholesale contracts, the provision of utility service, and other water and wastewater issues.
  10. Provides technical and managerial advice, develops and monitors performance criteria, evaluates performance metrics, and institutes performance improvement plans.
  11. Supports the Planning and Zoning department with annexation activities involving municipal utility districts and their ultimate incorporation and transition into the City.
  12. Initiates and completes all steps in the purchase process of privately-owned water and wastewater utility systems: determining value, obtaining an engineering appraisal, negotiating the purchase agreement, and obtaining required approvals.
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 water utility operations for municipalities including related Local, State, and Federal regulatory requirements.
  • Knowledge of diversified and fundamental scientific and business management concepts, phenomena, and relationships; and utilizes such changes in solution of theoretical or practical utility problems.
  • Knowledge of City of Austin budget planning, purchasing, and contract policies and procedures.
  • Skill in developing, reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating contracts for services and/or materials.
  • Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
  • Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
  • Skill in developing, reviewing, monitoring, and evaluating contracts for services and/or materials.
  • Skill in analyzing complex data from various sources, synthesizing collected information, and developing sound decisions/recommendations.
  • Ability to understand and interpret complex technical data related to assigned responsibilities.
  • Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with internal and external customers and the public.
  • Knowledge of technical terminology and procedures related to water and wastewater service, operations, and maintenance requirements, and treatment requirements.
  • Knowledge of principles of water and wastewater rate design and Cost of Service methodology.
  • Knowledge of water conservation principles, activities, and options for acceptance and effectiveness.
  • Knowledge of Texas Local Government Code and Texas Water Code.
  • Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and methods.
  • Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
  • Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  • Skill in using computers and related software.
  • Skill in planning and organizing.
  • Ability to develop financial analyses on customer options and impacts on utility financial position.
  • Ability to make presentations and speeches to large groups, gatherings, and meetings.
  • Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
Minimum Qualifications:
 
  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Business Administration, Engineering, Public Administration, Law, or a closely related field, plus six (6) years of related experience, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory capacity.
  • Graduation with a Master's degree or higher level from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required work 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.