Deputy Director, Austin Water Business Services

Job Description:

Deputy Director, Austin Water Business Services

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.

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, spanning 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 annually for outdoor irrigation, industrial cooling, manufacturing, and other purposes.

Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country for water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. At all of our water and wastewater treatment plants, Austin Water far exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance.

Reporting to the Director of Austin Water and operating with a high level of autonomy, this position provides strategic leadership, oversight, and planning for business operations across Austin Water, as well as highly responsible and complex operational support to the Director.

Job Description:

Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities:

• Essential duties and functions, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
  
• Oversees executive staff and provides overall leadership and direction for the department’s Financial, Information Technology, Employee Leadership and Development, and Support Services functions.
  
• 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 with all applicable Federal, State, and Local regulations and laws.
  
• Is responsible for the development of the strategic vision and plan for the department and implements activities that align with the department’s mission and vision.
  
• Advises executive staff on matters of 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 and risks that could jeopardize the organization from a financial, regulatory, public confidence, or cultural 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 such as consultants.
  
• Represents AW before governmental and regulatory agencies, boards, councils, commissions, and joint-partnership oversight bodies.
  
• Facilitates communication and resolves complex and sensitive issues and complaints, both internal and external.
  
• 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 the 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:

• Knowledge of and experience in the technical aspects of assigned functional areas.
  
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, and ordinances.
  
• 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, 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 on personnel matters.
  
• Skill in fiscal planning, developing, and preparing budgets, and managing O&M costs.
  
• 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 analyses, 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 distilling them into an understandable format, and preparing 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 in Business, Finance, Public Administration, Computer Science, or in a related field, plus eight (8) years of progressively increasing responsibilities relevant to the municipal water and wastewater industry, and managing complex organizations.
  
• Graduation with a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a relevant field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
  

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional expertise across Finance, Information Technology, and Human Resources. With strong business acumen and hands-on experience in revenue bonds, this individual will lead coordination efforts with Wall Street to issue municipal bonds and effectively manage public debt. Additionally, the candidate should possess a solid understanding of cloud computing and cybersecurity to support the modernization of asset and data management systems. Prior experience leading a large and robust city or organization is highly preferred. Advanced written and verbal communication skills are imperative for this position.

The following core competencies are essential for this role:

• Political Savvy - Ability to exhibit confidence and professional diplomacy, while effectively relating to people at all levels internally and externally.
  
• Communicates Effectively with an Equity Mindset - Ability to manage diversity, understand inclusion, and work with diverse communities and populations to build constructive and effective relationships, and convey and receive information.
  
• Planning Priorities - Recognizes, plans, focuses upon, and works toward what is most critical.
  
  
• Thinks Strategically - Enables others to understand the vision and strategy better, and implement them clearly and concisely. As the aligned forward thinker, they can formulate and communicate sound business strategies.
  
• 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.
  
• Business Acumen - Has a firm understanding of how a municipal water system operates as a business to achieve goals and objectives.
  
• Application Support - Ability to provide a broad range of IT support for end users.
  
• Strong Data Analysis Skills - Ability to analyze HR metrics, with the ability to extract insights from HR dashboards and drive data-informed decisions.
  

Notes to Candidate:

To view the recruitment brochure, please click here

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

Working with Austin Water offers a range of health and welfare benefits, including low-cost medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, training opportunities, and more.

Please click HERE for more information.

Salary is commensurate with experience and the approved salary
range.

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.
  
• The verification of employment history dates on the resume should match those listed in the online Employment Application.
  
• Employment history dates must include the month and year.
  
• This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
  
• To ensure consideration, candidates are encouraged to apply by July 21 , 2025. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process to ensure optimal consideration.
  
• Please note that the job posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the closing date.
  
• 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.

A Cover Letter and Resume are required for this position. Please ensure that you upload these documents for consideration.

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.