City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Deputy Director, Housing and Planning

Under general direction of the Housing and Planning Department Director, this position is responsible for assisting the director to plan, direct, manage, and oversee the activities and operations of the Housing and Planning Department.  Directs personnel involved in providing  programmatic, real estate, financial, and managerial support for the department and the Austin Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). 

1. Ensures all activities are carried out in compliance with departmental policy, Local, State, and Federal regulations and laws governing activities.
2. Directs at the executive level the activities related to program design and implementation, real estate and development, implementation and evaluation of initiatives, organizational structure, and daily operations.
3. Oversees development of department/division/unit performance measures and reporting systems and utilizes these to establish accountability, determine progress, evaluate alternatives, assess productivity, and obtain agreement on expectations in order to achieve required department/division business results.
4. Delegates activities, responsibilities, and authority, as necessary and desirable, to division staff while retaining overall responsibility and accountability for performance. Ensures that responsibilities, authority, and accountability of all direct subordinates and unit supervisors are defined and understood.
5. Oversees activities designed to enhance organizational health and welfare of employees to include safety and employee health activities, reward and recognition activities, etc.
6. Reviews agendas, reports, and policy statements for presentation to boards and commissions and City Council.
7. Develops excellent working relationships with key staff, division and departmental employees, other governmental organizations, departments, stakeholders, and with external services, such as consultants, legal counsel, boards and commissions, and City Council.
8. Maintains an up-to-date knowledge of trends and practices in the areas of housing, planning, community development, financial management, human resources, information systems, and facilities management.
9. Informs the department director about current trends, problems and activities in these areas to facilitate decision making.
10. Analyzes fiscal impact of proposed policies and programs and recommends options to the department director.
11. Represents department director at City Council meetings, boards and commissions, and community events as directed.

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

• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
• Knowledge of government or public sector practice, policy, and procedure.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of grant management in the field of housing and community development.
• Knowledge of public policy development and analysis.
• Knowledge of community needs assessment techniques.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees, citizens groups, and the public.

• Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university with major coursework in Business, Public Administration, Planning, Urban Planning, Economics, or related field, plus five (5) years of progressively responsible management experience in comprehensive work on housing, community development, and social policy issues, including two (2) years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for two (2) years of experience.