Deputy Director, Austin Water Technical Services

Job Description:

Deputy Director, Austin Water Technical 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.

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 ideal candidate will be a seasoned professional with deep expertise in water and wastewater utility operations, infrastructure planning, and capital project delivery. The selected candidate will possess a strong background in managing multidisciplinary teams, overseeing complex construction and rehabilitation projects, and advancing asset management strategies.

The next Deputy Director will be a strategic thinker with a commitment to regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and operational efficiency. This individual will also be adept at leveraging data analytics and technology to drive performance improvements. The candidate should demonstrate excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills, along with a proactive approach to safety, risk management, and emergency preparedness.

The following core competencies are important for this role:

- Advanced water and wastewater utility expertise.

- Planning Priorities - Recognizes, plans, focuses upon, and works toward what is most important or critical.

- Change Management - Ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals and teams with organizational changes and adaptations, as well as improve staff morale.

- Boundaryless Perspective - Demonstrated ability to see a broad view of an issue or challenge across typical organizational lines and beyond the present.

- Familiarity in Utility Data Platforms and Analytical Tools - Experience using operational data from SCADA, GIS, CMMS, and AMI systems, to monitor, analyze, and optimize utility performance.

- Cross-functional Project Expertise - Proven ability to streamline and optimize complex, cross-functional projects by identifying inefficiencies, implementing scalable workflows, and leveraging project management tools to enhance productivity, reduce resource waste, and accelerate delivery timelines.

- 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.

Community Collaborator - Experience presenting complex technical information strategies to public stakeholders, utility management, City Manager’s Office, Boards and Commissions, and City Council.

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 technical services of AW including Engineering, Customer Experience, Environmental, Planning, and Development 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 executive staff and provides overall leadership and direction for department’s Engineering Services, Environmental, Planning and Development Services, and Customer Experience 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 which align with the department’s 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 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 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 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 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 fiscal planning, developing and preparing budgets, and managing O&M cost.
• 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 in Business, Marketing/Communications, Public Administration, Engineering, or a related field, plus eight (8) years of progressively increasing responsibilities relevant to the municipal water and wastewater industry, including experience 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.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

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.

Salary is commensurate based on 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.
  
• 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 July 27, 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.

A Cover Letter and Resume are required for this position. Please be sure to 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.