IT Program Manager (Austin Water)

Job Description:

IT Program Manager (Austin Water)

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.

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. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, we’re not just keeping up-we’re leading the way with sustainable infrastructure, advanced treatment technology, and environmental innovation.

Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country when it comes to water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. Austin Water exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance at our water and wastewater treatment plants.

Job Description:

IT Program Manager

Purpose:

IT Program Managers deliver technology services and business enabling solutions with great agility and leverage, magnify and improve existing best practices to complete incredibly complex Citywide initiatives. Ensures the best possible use of all resources to deliver maximum value and benefit to the portfolio while also developing the leaders of tomorrow. Serves as City IT’s expert and primary resource for the oversight, management, and performance of the lifecycle of City IT investments and initiatives.

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.

• Manages and ensures successful delivery of critical and high-risk initiatives/programs.
  
• Plans and facilitates project work efforts to deliver on time, in budget, and within scope in accordance with business priorities.
  
• Reports on overall performance and progress of City-wide programs/initiatives and ensures project requirements are met.
  
• Collaborates with project managers to execute project plans and identify & coordinate resource needs.
  
• Evaluates and manages trade-offs between project size and complexity, cost, urgency, risk, and stakeholder value.
  
• Leads cross-functional meetings and foster teamwork, drive escalation and resolution of issues.
  
• Partners with stakeholders to define success metrics, and ensure effective, high-quality program and project outcomes that produce value.
  
• Tracks program status and manages program team complexities to mitigate issues & risks.
  
• Ensures programs adhere to City IT project methodology compliance standards.
  
• Ensures program execution resources collaborate and operate efficiently and effectively together to meet the program goals and objectives.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities: 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 project management methodologies (for example, that of the PMI, PRINCE2 and agile approaches) and PLC stages.
  
• Knowledge of systems development life cycle concepts and methodologies.
  
• Knowledge of project planning/scheduling tools (for example, Microsoft Project and Open Workbench).
  
• Knowledge of emerging tools and technologies in information technology and their applications to business processes.
  
• Knowledge of methods and practices for defining project strategy and plan, driving continuous improvement, and defining and operationalizing project roadmaps.
  
• Knowledge of contract types, contract procurement and administration processes, and building proposals.
  
• Knowledge of the principles and methods to identify, analyze, specify, design, and manage functional and infrastructure requirements.
  
• Skill in risk management, performance measurement, resource management, quality assurance, planning and scheduling, budgetary, project tracking and reporting, and contract management.
  
• Skill in leading quality assurance and contract management skills.
  
• Ability to make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
  
• Ability to remove barriers and enable teams to complete their objectives.
  
• Ability to build team spirit to sustain cooperative working relationships.
  
• Ability to train, coach, and mentor the team.
  
• Ability to vary styles of interaction to match the needs of a variety of business and technical audiences.
  
• Ability to resolve conflict by effectively dealing with disagreements and handling emotionally charged individuals.
  
• Ability to make decisions independently and to assume higher-level leadership responsibilities in critical situations.
  
• Ability to monitor shifting regulatory and geopolitical factors that can have an impact on project/portfolio success.
  
• Ability to adhere to required compliance to all change management policies and procedures.
  
• Ability to adhere to required compliance to all information security policies and procedures.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to the job, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field.
  
• Experience may substitute for education for up to 4 years.
  
• Master's Degree in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in Project Management and IT/OT audit or compliance.
  
• Proven track record managing compliance in a critical infrastructure or highly regulated environment.
  
• Familiarity with audit software and GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) tools.
  
• Understanding of cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory mandates for utilities or other highly regulated entities.
  
• Ability to travel to multiple sites
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

As the water utility industry undergoes a major digital transformation, the convergence of Information Technology (IT), Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has created a complex regulatory and security landscape. The IT Program Manager will serve as a Utility Technology Compliance Program Manager, bridging the gap between technical innovation, project execution, and rigorous regulatory oversight. This role ensures that Austin Water’s infrastructure from billing systems to SCADA networks and sensors remains secure, resilient, and fully compliant. This position ensures compliance is not just a goal, but a verifiable, ongoing state that protects public health and mitigates legal risk.

• This position will manage compliance programs for critical utility technology systems, including IT and OT environments.
  
• The successful candidate will act as the primary liaison for internal and external audits, including EPA, State, and third-party reviews.
  
• This role requires strong project management skills combined with expertise in regulatory compliance and cybersecurity for critical infrastructure.
  
• Travel: Local travel may be required for site visits and audits.
  
• Work Location: Hybrid schedule may be available based on business needs.
  
• Criminal Background Check: This position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.
  

Pay Range:

$104,300.00 - $134,00.00 Annual

Position(s) will be filled at the following location:

Waller Creek Center (625 E. 10th St., Austin, 78701)

Days and Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Benefits:

Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more - click HERE for more information.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.
  
• Provide each job title and accurate employment dates for all jobs included on the application.
  
• Your work history should include the duties you performed, any supervisory or lead responsibilities, and any equipment and computer software used.
  
• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• A résumé is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.
  

If you are selected to interview:

• You will receive information and instructions for preparing a short presentation to be given at the time of the interview.
  

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.
  
• If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• A criminal background investigation is required
  

Travel:

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program, you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Critical Employee:

• This position has been designated as critical for the City of Austin. Critical positions are necessary and vital and support activities that impact City or department operations. Work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees may be reassigned to another area to provide essential services to support any extraordinary situations or emergency conditions.
  

Secondary Employment:

• All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
  
• Austin Water will review all secondary employment.
  
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.
  

90-day Provision:

This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies that occur within the department.

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Please note this posting may close any time after 7 days.

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.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-05-27