Utility Chief Support Services Officer

Job Description:

Utility Chief Support Services Officer

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a relevant field of study, plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to the activities of the program area, two (2) years of which were in a managerial capacity.
• Master’s degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• One (1) additional year of experience related to the program area may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:
None.
Notes to Applicants

Position Overview:
The Utility Chief Support Services Officer is a key leader in Austin Water’s Business Services program, which provides enterprise-wide leadership for strategy, administration, assurance, and resiliency. This Officer is responsible for leading Austin Water’s Resiliency Support Services staff and supervises the Division Managers of Emergency Management, Facility Management, and Security Management. This Officer provides leadership to meet the needs of 24/7 utility operations and may be called upon at short notice to support or lead time-sensitive emergency responses.

Essential Position:
This position has been designated as essential for the City of Austin. Essential positions maintain emergency services or provide public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of the community. In the event of a designated emergency, these positions will be called back or retained to assist with operations and recovery.

Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including 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:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• 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. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• 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:
Candidates selected to move forward to the second round of interviews 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 and proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
• 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.

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 must 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.

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.

Effective October 1, 2014, 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 lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
Pay Range
$48.38 - $62.90
Hours
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday, with limited flexibility. Other hours as required to meet the needs of 24/7 utility operations, including emergency activations.
Job Close Date 02/27/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Water Utility Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location Waller Creek Center, 625 E. 10th St. Austin, TX 78701 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience with Security Management, Facilities Management or Emergency Management operations, and experience overseeing these or similar support services that provide excellent service to internal/external customers
• Experience serving in a leadership role implementing business continuity efforts during emergency activations
• Planning and project management experience, and the ability to develop and implement long range and master plans for enhanced service delivery, ensuring that stakeholders’ needs are considered and plan objectives are achieved
• Experience implementing industry standards, best practices, and performance measures to drive improvement in support services
• Experience with procurement of goods & services, and the ability to administer contracts and vendors to ensure delivery of agreed upon deliverables
• Experience developing and monitoring large budgets for Capital Improvement Projects and Operations & Maintenance
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees at all levels of the organization
• Ability to travel to more than one work location

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.

Determines divisional needs; develops, executes, and evaluates strategic short- and long-range plans including three- to five-year forecasting for a variety of projects, programs, and division activities. Oversees operational area projects and assists with optimizing performance and implementing industry best practices throughout AW Plans, organizes, directs, and controls for multiple disciplines aimed to protect or enhance people, processes, facilities and structures within AW. Creates or implements Security and Facility standards, mitigation strategies, policies, and procedures. Reviews, prepares, consolidates, and monitors division-wide Operations & Maintenance and Capital Program budgets. Develops Corporate Security measures, oversees contracted security guard services, and implements new processes. Administers contracts and vendors to ensure delivery of agreed upon deliverables. Prepares and reviews reports as part of the process of monitoring and communicating performance results. Recommends major purchases and expenditures and ensures divisions comply with purchasing procedures. Provides technical advice and assistance to internal and external customers. Facilitates, conducts, and attends meetings and represents the program area on behalf of the Assistant Director, Department, and City.

Responsibilities- Supervision 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 security, facility management, and emergency management programs.
• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws, ordinances, policies.
• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.
• Knowledge of budgeting methods and systems.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communications.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in analyzing complex data from various sources, synthesizing collected information, and developing sound decisions/recommendations.
• Ability to manage projects, develop and execute project timelines, delegate tasks, and evaluate progress from start up to completion of projects.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
• Ability to provide leadership across the Utility.
• Ability to quickly recognize and analyze irregular events.
• Ability to resolve problems or situations that require exercising tact, diplomacy, and sound judgment.
• Ability to make public presentations.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
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.

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.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a relevant field of study, plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience related to the activities of the program area, two (2) years of which were in a managerial capacity. Master’s degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience. One (1) additional year of experience related to the program area may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* What is the largest number of direct and indirect reports have you been responsible for, and what management responsibilities have you been responsible for? Select all that apply.

• No direct or indirect reports.
• 1 - 5 direct and indirect reports
• 6 - 20 direct and indirect reports
• 21 - 50 direct and indirect reports
• More than 50 direct and indirect reports
• Hiring
• Training
• Assigning work
• Counseling staff members
• Managing staff performance

* How many years of experience do you have overseeing an organization's support services, such as Security, Facilities, and Emergency Management operations?

• None
• Less than 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 8 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

* How many years of experience do you have in project management and developing & implementing long range and master plans for enhanced service delivery with a focus on stakeholder needs and meeting plan objectives?

• None
• Less than 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 8 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

* How many years of professional experience do you have implementing industry standards, best practices and performance measures to drive improvement in support services?

• Less than 7 years
• 7-8 years
• 8-10 years
• 10 or more years

* How many years of experience do you have with operating or capital improvement budget development, budget management, budget reporting, or related budget experience for a utility, governmental entity, or other similarly regulated entity?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years
• Between 3 and less than 6 years
• 6 or more years of experience

* How many years of experience do you have in establishing and maintaining effective communication and working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization and the public?

• None
• Less than 7 years
• 7 - 8 years
• 8 - 10 years
• 10 or more years

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* Will you require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B visa) either now or in the future?

• Yes
• No

* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents