Environmental Conservation Program Manager (Austin Water)

About this role

About This Position  

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.

ABOUT THE POSITION: Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation Division protects more than 49,000 acres of conservation land for the benefit of water, wildlife, and people. The Environmental Conservation Program Manager will lead a newly formed Land Management Team responsible for planning and implementing a broad range of ecological stewardship activities across the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and Water Quality Protection Lands. These activities include prescribed fire, wildfire fuels mitigation, habitat restoration, invasive species management, oak wilt treatment, cave and karst management, erosion control, ecological restoration, and other land management projects that promote healthy, resilient ecosystems.

This position will establish priorities, guide implementation of complex field programs, develop staff, and help build a cohesive, high-performing team within a newly organized program. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of conservation land management for one of the nation’s largest municipal conservation land portfolios, building on decades of successful stewardship while preparing these lands to meet emerging challenges such as rapid urbanization, increasing wildfire risk, invasive species, and climate change.   Job Description: Environmental Conservation Program Manager

Purpose:  Under minimal supervision, plan and direct environmental and/or conservation program strategies to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations. Develop, and implement program policies, procedures, and systems to maintain and enhance the organizations adherence and responsiveness to environmental and conservation issues.

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. • Negotiates regulatory compliance issues with State and Federal environmental agencies.

• Manages and review programs/projects.

• Administers programs.

• Markets programs.

• Develops, monitors, and evaluates program and resource budgets.

• Develops, manages, and administers contracts.

• Develops training for internal and external customers.

• Develops and maintains program policies and standard operating procedures.

• Develops, reviews, interprets, and rewrites ordinances, codes, and regulations.

• Performs public relations functions.

• Participates in short- and long-range planning activities.

• Develops and manage quality control initiatives.

• Develops and conduct audits.

• Assists with evaluating bid proposals.

• Performs supervisory duties i.e., hiring, promoting, disciplinary actions, performance evaluations, etc.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:  Responsible for 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 supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.  

• Knowledge of applicable processes, techniques, and methods.

• Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.

• Knowledge of supervisory and managerial techniques and principles.

• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.

• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.

• Skill in using computers and related software applications.

• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with City employees and the public.

• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.

• Ability to train others. 

Minimum Qualifications:  • Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to Environmental Science, Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Public Administration, Business Administration, or Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field, including three (3) years of experience in a lead or supervisory capacity.

• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

Licenses and Certifications Required:  As required in a related area.

Preferred Qualifications: • Demonstrated experience leading ecological land management programs, including prescribed fire, ecological restoration, invasive species management, and other conservation initiatives.

• Experience supervising multidisciplinary teams and developing staff responsible for implementing complex field-based conservation programs.

• Experience managing contracts, budgets, and partnerships to successfully deliver land management or ecological restoration projects.

• Experience leading organizational change, improving operational processes, and building collaborative, high-performing teams.

• Ability to travel to more than one work location.

  Notes to Candidate:

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