Austin Water Chief of Staff

Job Description:

Austin Water Chief of Staff

Description

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

About Austin Water:

For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve over 1,000,000 people in the Austin metropolitan area, across more than 548 square miles.

The utility draws water from the Colorado River into three regional water treatment plants, Handcox, Davis, and Ullrich, which have a combined capacity of 335 million gallons per day.

Austin Water has two wastewater treatment plants, Walnut Creek and South Austin Regional, that can receive up to 150 million gallons per day of sewage to treat. Wastewater is cleaned into high-quality effluent that is safely returned to the Colorado River to augment environmental flows. More than a billion gallons of this high-quality effluent are reclaimed each year for outdoor irrigation, industrial cooling, manufacturing, and other uses.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Reporting to the Director of Austin Water (AW) and operating with a high level of autonomy, this position provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for AW’s policy objectives, strategic planning, administrative functions, and internal audit services.

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.

• Oversees staff and provides overall leadership and direction for the department’s Director’s office, Internal Audit, and Enterprise Strategic Planning divisions.
  
• Sets direction and achieves results for reliable and efficient operations, customer service delivery, cost management, safety, security, and maintaining compliance with City and department policy as well as applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations and laws.
  
• Works with the AW leadership team in establishing the department’s strategic priorities, and leads in the development of the utility’s strategic goals, mission and vision.
  
• Advises executive staff on matters pertaining to operational efficiency and effectiveness and implements activities to identify and track AW performance measures ensuring utility operations achieve strategic initiatives and goals.
  
• Identifies opportunities to enhance organizational performance as well as threats/risks that could jeopardize the organization from a financial, regulatory, public confidence, or culture perspective.
  
• Establishes performance expectations, facilitates management efforts, promotes accountability, and develops engagement and buy-in throughout all levels of the organization.
  
• Fosters and develops a culture of positive customer service in working relationships with key staff, division and department employees, other governmental organizations, citizens, legal counsel, boards and commissions, City Council, and with external services.
  
• Represents AW before governmental and regulatory agencies, boards, councils, commissions, and joint-partnership oversight bodies.
  
• Serves as a liaison to the Office of the City Manager, Mayor and Council, other City departments, and external stakeholders on behalf of the AW Director.
  
• Facilitates communication and resolves complex and sensitive issues and complaints both internal and external.
  
• Responds to public information requests on behalf of the AW Director for the Office of the City Manager and Mayor and Council by routing requests for City Council approval and manages the Austin Water Oversight Committee of Council and the Water and Wastewater Commission.
  
• Supports all AW Emergency Management and Incident Management Team functionality and responses during emergency activations, including serving as Incident Commander or Deputy Incident Commander.
  
• Assumes Director’s 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 pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and regulations.
  
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
  
• Knowledge of Local, State, and Federal water and wastewater utility regulations.
  
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
  
• Knowledge of pertinent utility operations, services, practices, and policies.
  
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
  
• Knowledge of strategic business planning, organizational development and change strategies, and performance measurement to achieve business excellence.
  
• Knowledge of emergency management, including incident command, and business continuity planning.
  
• Knowledge of personnel administration, and laws and regulations pertaining to personnel matters.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees, City Council, the media, and the public.
  
• Skill in leading and managing a diverse workforce including department employees and contractors.
  
• Skill in oral and written communications.
  
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
  
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
  
• Skill in negotiations and conflict resolution.
  
• Ability to organize and implement comprehensive programs.
  
• Ability to understand complex issues and foster compromise along with daily interaction with all divisions and City departments/offices.
  
• Ability to gather pertinent facts, make thorough analysis, arrive at sound conclusions, and formulate effective action plans.
  
• Ability to present the department’s position and policies and respond to inquiries from City Council and City management.
  
• Ability to manage multiple projects and programs simultaneously within approved budgets.
  
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
  
• Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
  
• Ability to effectively communicate with people at many levels inside the organization, with outside agencies, and with the community.
  
• 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 AW policies and procedures.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

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 progressively increasing responsibilities relevant to the municipal water and wastewater industry and managing complex organizations, including two (2) years of experience in a lead, supervisory, project management, or program management capacity.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate will be a detail-oriented and collaborative leader with strong analytical skills and the ability to drive change in a fast-paced environment. The selected candidate will possess a strategic mindset be able to see beyond their immediate team and envision long-term opportunities for departmental growth and improvement. A commitment to equity is essential, along with the ability to build meaningful relationships with City staff and community members through a social, racial, and equity-informed lens. Exceptional interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills are critical for success in this role.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

• Political Savvy - Ability to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively relating to people at all levels internally and externally.
  
• Equity Lens - Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workspaces and programs.
  
• Business Acumen - Has a firm understanding of how a municipal water system operates as a business to achieve goals and objectives.
  
• Thinks Strategically - Enables others to better understand and implement the vision and strategy, while being the aligned forward thinker, has the ability to formulate and communicate sound business strategy, and implement in a clear and concise manner.
  
• Exercises Leadership - Uses appropriate judgment to handle critical, problematic, or striking conditions with focus, ownership, and accountability.
  
• Results Driven - Ability to achieve organizational goals and objectives.
  
• Administration Skills - Proven ability to lead and manage a diverse team within a dynamic environment while remaining compliant and transparent. Ability to self-direct and manage multiple, high-profile projects in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Community Collaborator - Experience presenting complex technical information strategies to public stakeholders, utility management, City Manager’s Office, Boards and Commissions, and City Council.
  
• Creative Solutions Oriented - Ability to solve problems and find avenues to reconcile issues that would otherwise remain unsolved.
  

Notes to Candidate:

To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here .

To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.

Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Regarding Your Application:

• A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application. Please be sure to upload your Resume and Cover Letter for consideration.
  
• Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
  
• Employment history dates must include month and year.
  
• This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
  
• To ensure consideration, candidates should apply by August 14, 2025. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
  
• This position is subject to the Texas Open Records Act.
  

Salary is commensurate based on experience and the approved salary range.

If you are selected as a top candidate:
Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.