Assistant City Manager (Public Safety)

Job Description:

Assistant City Manager (Public Safety)

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. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. 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.
  
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are 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 that 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.

Under general direction of the City Manager, and in partnership with the City Council and Austin community, provide bold and inclusive leadership to advance the assigned outcomes and strategies outlined in the City's Strategic Direction, and direct administrative work relating to the full range of municipal management issues.

Job Description:

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.

• Leads the implementation of programs and policies for other administrative officers, employees of the City of Austin, and other interested parties.
  
• Provides direction to City departments, offices, programs, and staff regarding how to advance assigned outcomes and associated strategies and policies, including policy and procedural revisions.
  
• Responsible for the full range of management activities, including managing division/section activities, monitoring departmental budget expenditures, developing and revising operating procedures, prioritizing special projects, and coordinating division/section activities with other departments.
  
• Investigates and reports to the City Manager on questions of interdepartmental procedures or interpretation of responsibility.
  
• Assists the City Manager in the orderly and timely conduct of municipal business operations within the context of various laws and regulations.
  
• Collaboratively integrates, coordinates, and recommends changes; and assists in the establishment of programs, policies, strategies, and initiatives for submission to City Council that will aid in maintaining the financial integrity and service levels of various operations of the City of Austin.
  
• In support of the assigned outcome area of portfolio of business, directs the preparation and monitoring of budgets, assists in the negotiation of contracts and agreements, advises on the development of short- and long-range plans, and reports on the City's performance targets.
  
• Serves as the City's primary public face, working closely with various advisory boards and community groups on issues related to the assigned strategic outcome, keeping the City Manager and City Council advised of all pertinent issues affecting the achievement of the outcome.
  
• Supervises research, including benchmarking with other jurisdictions or industry standards, procedural and administrative studies, and preparation of reports recommending solutions, courses of action, or Citywide and departmental performance targets.
  
• Reviews and synthesizes emerging trends and critical issues or challenges facing the City of Austin related to the assigned outcome, convening strategic conversations with other City and community leaders, as appropriate.
  
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality and seamless customer service.
  
• Acts for the City Manager in their absence.
  
• Cultivates, maintains, and improves upon key partnerships with external public and private organizations to access the resources necessary to improve the efficiency and quality of the City's results in this outcome area.
  
• Attends Board, Commission, City Council and other public meetings.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Responsible for the full range of personnel oversight, including job assignment, selection, training, evaluation, counseling, resolving work-related problems, and recommendation for dismissal.
  
• Responsible for the full range of management activities, including managing division/section activities, monitoring departmental budget expenditures, developing and revising operating procedures, prioritizing special projects, and coordinating division/section activities with other departments.
  

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 public administration principles, including the basic principles of organization, management, and resource allocation.
  
• Knowledge of organization and functions of constituent Austin City government units.
  
• Knowledge of basic laws, ordinances, and regulations underlying a public sector organization, specifically city government.
  
• Skill in convening and facilitating strategic conversations across the organizational boundaries and building inter-organizational collaboration to drive results.
  
• Skill in planning, organizing, and evaluating the activities of a public sector organization.
  
• Skill in building and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, members of public boards and commissions, other government officials, members of the media, other key stakeholders, and the general public.
  
• Skill in leading an organization from a values-driven perspective, including such things as equity, innovation, sustainability, and resiliency.
  
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  
• Ability to adapt one's leadership and management practices to changing circumstances.
  
• Ability to deliver feedback to peers and subordinates in ways that effectively promote personal and organizational learning and improved results.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Business Administration, or a related field, plus five (5) years of experience in managing and directing a complex organization, including two (2) years of experience in an executive capacity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Data-Driven Innovation Experience - Ability to align public safety initiatives with broader citywide priorities utilizing data.
  
• Inclusive Leadership Expertise - Ability to connect with employees throughout the various units, locations, and shifts across the city.
  
• Crisis Leadership Experience - Ability to navigate crisis situations with strong decision making.
  
• Change Management - Ability to identify and lead change initiatives to move the organization forward in a meaningful way.
  
• Relationship Builder - Ability to effectively build and leverage relationships with internal and external stakeholders and Mayor and City Council.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Working with the City of Austin 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.

Salary: $302,000 - $312,000 annually

Work Location: 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin 78701

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

To view a detailed recruitment profile of the position, please click here.

The Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate is a seasoned and ethical public leader with a proven record of collaboration across police, fire, emergency management, and community safety functions. With strong expertise in public safety operations, organizational leadership, performance management, and a commitment to transparency, the next Assistant City Manager will demonstrate exceptional political and organizational acumen and will be able to build trust with elected officials, department heads, labor groups, and residents.

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.
  
• 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 December 22, 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.
  

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.

Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

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.