Chief Resiliency Officer

Location:  City of Austin, TX Download:  City of Austin, TX - Chief Resiliency Officer Brochure

Chief Resiliency Officer
City of Austin, TX  

About Austin, Texas


This vibrant and dynamic city tops numerous lists for business, entertainment, and quality of life. One of the country's most popular and culturally dynamic cities, Austin was ranked #1 by the Wallstreet Journal in 2020 as the Hottest Job Market in the USA. Austin was selected as the #1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. and #4 on the Best Places to Retire by U.S. News & World Report in 2019 and ranked in the top ten on Forbes list of America's Best Employers in 2017. In support of the LGBTQ people who live and work in Austin, in 2020 and the previous seven years, the City of Austin scored 100 points out of 100 on the Municipal Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. 

Austin is a beacon of sustainability, social equity, and economic opportunity: where diversity and creativity are celebrated, where community needs and values are recognized, where leadership comes from its community members, and where the necessities of life are affordable and accessible to all.

Emerging as a player on the international scene, Austin is well known for its diverse events such as the Austin Marathon, Rodeo Austin, Austin Urban Music Festival, Blues on the Green, Austin Pride Festival, Austin Trail of Lights, SXSW, Austin City Limits, and Formula 1, and being home to companies such as Apple, Samsung, Dell, Oracle, IBM, Tesla, Google, and Ascension Seton Health. From the home of state government and institutions of higher education to the "Live Music Capital of the World" and its growth as a film center, Austin has gained worldwide attention as a hub for education, business, health, smart mobility, and sustainability.  From its founding in 1835 through the year 2000, Austin's population roughly doubled every 20 years. Austin's population continues to increase, with more than 100 people moving to the Austin area daily.

The city offers a wide range of events, from music concerts, food festivals, and sports competitions to museum displays, exhibits, and family fun. Austin is also home to a wonderful ballet, world-class museums, one-of-a-kind shopping, and beautiful outdoor spaces. You can just as easily spend your morning paddling the lake as you can strolling through a celebrated history museum.

Located at the edge of the Texas Hill Country -- rolling terrain of limestone bluffs, springs, rivers, and lakes -- Austin's climate is ideal for year-round jogging, cycling, hiking on the city's many trails, or swimming at Barton Springs or one of the area's many other swimming holes. There are several excellent golf courses in the area, as well as opportunities for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, and more. Austin has something for everyone. 

Austin City Government


The City of Austin is a progressive, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Austin's mayor is elected from the city at large, and ten council members are elected from single-member districts. Terms of the mayor and council members are four years, and terms are staggered so that a general election is held every two years, with half the council being elected at each election. Term limits for the mayor and council members provide for two consecutive four-year terms. The City Council is responsible for the appointment of the City Manager, who is the Chief Administrative and Executive Officer of the City, City Clerk, City Auditor, Municipal Court Judges, and the Municipal Court Clerk.

To learn more about the dynamic City of Austin, visit austintexas.gov.

The Position


Under nominal direction, this position will develop and provide the essential central point of focus within the City of Austin for the implementation of a comprehensive community resilience plan and strategies under the Global Resilient Cities Network platform.

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.

  • Develops and implements City-wide urban resilience goals, policies, and strategic plans.
  • Serves as the primary City representative and initial point of contact to the Global Resilient Cities Network platform.
  • Assesses and identifies community needs and opportunities and develops strategic initiatives.
  • Assesses the Global Resilient Cities Network platform and identifies tools and resources of interest to the City of Austin.
  • Researches, analyzes, and identifies funding resources to ensure the program's goals and objectives are met.
  • Creates comprehensive marketing, communication, and social media strategy to disseminate public information in order to increase visibility and resilience support.
  • Collaborates with other departments and jurisdictions; business and civic groups; academic institutions; and other Local, State, and Federal agencies for multi-jurisdictional projects.
  • Coordinates meetings with the Mayor, City Council, the City Manager, department directors, officials, and other specialized organizations regarding ongoing resilience initiatives.
  • Identifies opportunities for improvement to current strategies.
  • Plans, develops, monitors, and reports on progress toward key resilience milestones.
  • Secures and manages all resilience funding resources and budget.
  • Recruits, develops, retains, and provides guidance and direction to assigned staff to ensure completion of assigned goals and objectives. 


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities           

  • Knowledge of resilience program practices and City operations, budgeting, fiscal administration, management, and long-range planning policies, practices, and procedures.
  • Knowledge of the history and legal decisions related to environmental, economic, political, and other factors impacting vulnerable communities.
  • Knowledge of comprehensive knowledge of supervisory techniques and pertinent Federal, State, and Local rules and regulations related to human resource management and customer service/public relations practices and procedures.
  • Skill in comprehensive public speaking and public relations methods to persuade, negotiate, and mediate issues.
  • Skill in navigating decision-making that may seem to "benefit" one group over the other.
  • Skill in interpreting oral, written, mathematical and technical information and data dealing with complex abstract and concrete variables to identify, analyze, and solve practical management problems of considerable difficulty such as development of audit findings and corrective recommendations.
  • Skill in clear, concise, and proficient oral and written communication in English to develop marketing campaigns, press releases; provide technical specifications; negotiate contracts; disseminate information; and prepare and present marketing and promotional programs.
  • Ability to assess current programs and practices for equitable outcomes.
  • Ability to use an equity lens and framework to create inclusive, diverse, and safe workplaces and community programs.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, financial institutions, coworkers, department heads, officials, customers, regulatory agencies, and the general public.
  • Ability to work with diverse communities/populations.
  • Ability to interpret oral, written, mathematical, legal, statistical, and regulatory information dealing with resilience programs, budgets, grants, regulations or policies, ordinances, and standards. 


Education and Experience

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in public or business administration, or a related field, plus five (5) years of related experience leading strategic planning and operations in the areas of public policy, urban planning and/or economic community development.

The Ideal Candidate 

The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of the complex systems at play between human, environmental, financial, and operational systems in order to proactively plan for future scenarios, combat natural disasters, and support impacted communities in times of crisis.

The ideal candidate will be community oriented and have experience working as an advocate for different groups by bridging the gap between the City's communications and the communities most impacted and creating awareness around environmental racism and climate justice.

Advanced written and oral communication skills applicable to diverse audiences are imperative. The ideal candidate will value and maintain the prioritization of a collaborative, inclusive culture where equity and diverse expertise are valued.

Salary

The City of Austin offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and extensive benefits, including a generous pension system. Relocation assistance will be available for a successful out of area candidate.

How to Apply


Interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume for consideration by September 20, 2021 to:

resumes@affionpublic.com
Reference: COACRO

Affion Public
PO Box 794
Hershey, PA 17033
888.321.4922
www.affionpublic.com

 

The City of Austin is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. 

Posted: 03/22/2022