Environmental Program Coordinator (Austin Water)

Job Description:

Environmental Program Coordinator (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.

Austin Water’s Wildlands safeguard a network of 49,000 acres of conservation lands for the benefit of water, wildlife, and people. These protected woodlands, caves, and grassland savannas benefit our community by safeguarding water quality, conserving habitat for endangered species, and providing recreational opportunities. The Wildlands include some of Austin’s most beloved outdoor spaces, including the Maxwell Trail, the Barton Creek and Bull Creek Greenbelts, Mt. Bonnell, sections of the Violet Crown Trail, and Emma Long and Commons Ford Metro Parks.

Job Description:

Environmental Program Coordinator

Purpose:

Under minimal direction, coordinates interdepartmental and interagency environmental and/or conservation programs or projects, serves as a liaison for interdepartmental and interagency environmental/conservation issues, and coordinates and supports the environmental/conservation activities of a division/section for various projects and programs.

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.

• Serves as coordinator or liaison for interdepartmental and interagency issues and projects
  
• Communicates project and program information to internal and external customers
  
• Assists in management or resolution of interdepartmental and interagency conflicts
  
• Facilitates closure of litigated cases
  
• Negotiates permit and/or plan revisions with project engineers and contractors
  
• Develops/establishes service agreements with other programs, departments and agencies
  
• Develops and manages contracts
  
• Manages and reviews environmental remediation plans
  
• Provides technical advice and assistance to City management, staff, contractors, and businesses
  
• Evaluates projects, programs and criteria
  
• Assists in the development and adoption of new City Code regulations, policies and procedures
  
• Assists in development of new/revised interdepartmental or interagency protocol or procedures
  
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends revisions to City Code, rules, policies and legislative bills
  
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends revisions to technical reports, studies and contract documents
  
• Reviews site plans, environmental site assessments and stormwater/effluent discharge proposals
  
• Evaluates existing conditions, collects samples, interprets sampling data, and develops corrective action plans
  
• Educates and conducts presentations to public
  
• Assists in the development of short- and long-range plans
  
• Prepares written reports, memoranda, letters, RFP/RFQ/IFBs and Standard Operation Procedures
  
• Assists in the development and monitoring of budgets
  
• Attends City Council, Board, Commission Meetings, etc. as a City/Department staff representative
  
• Responds to requests from the media
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others

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 applicable processes, techniques, and methods.
  
• Knowledge of city practice, policy, 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, Planning, plus six (6) years of experience in a related field.
  
• Master's degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.
  
• Related experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years
  

Preferred Experience:

• Experience with diverse populations, organizations, and staff.
  
• Experience working with members of the public or volunteers in a remote or wildland setting.
  
• Experience creating, documenting, and planning community outreach programs and previous work managing records.
  
• Ecological restoration or land management experience, including operation and maintenance of tools and equipment such as hand tools, chain saws, UTVs, trucks and trailers.
  
• Strong writing and editing skills to support the creation and maintenance of training material, websites, social media, presentations, reports, etc.
  
• Experience creating and distributing innovative visual, video, and audio content to the public via websites, social media, signage and presentations.
  
• Experience monitoring, assessing and planning activities associated with threatened/endangered species or species of concern, managing preserves for the protection of species and management for enhancement of watershed function.
  
• Knowledge and experience with wildland fire operations such as prescribed burning; ability to obtain National Wildfire Coordination Group (NWCG) Firefighter Type 2 (FFT2) qualification or the ability to obtain within six months of hire.
  
• Experience communicating with executives, elected officials, traditional media and the public about sensitive issues related to natural resources management.
  
• With or without accommodations, the ability to bend, lift, hike, carry equipment and tools over uneven terrain; and the ability to work in extreme temperatures or inclement weather.
  
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

This Environmental Program Coordinator position focuses on community engagement in support of Austin Water’s Wildland Conservation division. Working closely with the larger Wildlands team, this position helps to grow interest and goodwill for its conservation programs - the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and the Water Quality Protection Lands - through collaborations with community organizations and partners, media and events, and in-person guided hikes and volunteer projects. The role involves both office and field work and a wide range of responsibilities related to communication and ecological conservation.

Pay Range:

$68,660.00 - $85,830.00 Annually

Position(s) will be filled at the following location:
13700 Ladera Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78738

Days and Hours:

Monday - Friday; 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, with rotating responsibilities on weekends and evenings 2-5 times each month.

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 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.

Applicants Please Read:

This position will be located at Reicher Ranch, 13700 Ladera Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78738. This is a remote facility with no access to rideshare options for travel. Once at the site, the candidate may travel on City business regularly throughout the workday. This position may operate a variety of vehicles including but not limited to car, truck, tractor or other types of motorized vehicles. Successful candidates may be asked to show valid insurance for the operation of these vehicles. If unable to travel on City business, successful candidate may be required to walk long distances to complete tasks or job functions.

Work Environment
This position will require you to collect data in the field and may include the following conditions:

• Walk long distances on uneven terrain
  
• Work in environments that may include hazardous conditions, walking in dense vegetation and exposure to extreme weather conditions
  
• Wear required PPE to include safety eyewear, footwear, head protection or hearing protection
  

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: 2026-05-08