Environmental Conservation Program Manager (Austin Water

Environmental Conservation Program Manager (Austin Water)

Location:

Austin Water

Time type:
Full time

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.

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.

Environmental Conservation Program Manager

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.

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.

Responsible for full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.

• 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…