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. Our guiding principles-Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - anchor our approach in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austin residents. 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.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is 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 designed to 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 AUSTN 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.

The utility draws water from the Colorado River into three regional water treatment plants, Handcox, Davis, and Ullrich, which have a combined capacity of 335 million gallons per day.

Austin Water has two wastewater treatment plants, Walnut Creek and South Austin Regional, that can receive up to 150 million gallons per day of sewage to treat. Wastewater is cleaned into high-quality effluent that is safely returned to the Colorado River to augment environmental flows.

More than a billion gallons of this high-quality effluent are reclaimed each year for outdoor irrigation, industrial cooling, manufacturing, and other uses.
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.

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:

• Education and/or experience with water or wastewater treatment, storm water, pretreatment, biosolids management, regulatory reporting or sampling of water or wastewater.
  
• Experience with preparing and presenting reports to the general public, stakeholders and appointed or elected officials.
  
• Experience with completing permit applications for TPDES , TLAP and Reuse Authorizations.
  
• Experience interpreting and explaining technical data, policies and procedures to a wide audience including citizens, planners and engineers.
  
• Experience with meeting various deadlines from various regulating entities.
  
• Demonstrated problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
  
• Ability to travel to more than one work location.
  
• Experience with MS Excel, MS Word, Outlook, TEAMS and presentation software.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview:

This position will assist in maintaining records required by TPDES and TLAP Permits, as well as Reuse Authorizations. Duties include assisting with the preparation of monthly regulatory reports and supporting the response to, and reporting of, unauthorized discharges and sanitary sewer overflows. The role may also involve collecting samples of surface water, stormwater, wastewater, biosolids, and wastewater sludge as needed. Additionally, the position supports tracking stormwater training attendance and employee training requirements, and updates related training materials as necessary.

Critical employee:

This position has been designated as critical for the City of Austin. Critical positions are necessary and support activities that impact City or department operations. Work can be done at a designated work site or an alternate work location. Critical employees may be reassigned to another area to provide essential services to support any extraordinary situations or emergency conditions.

Pay Range:

$33.00 - $41.25 per hour.

Position(s) will be filled at the following location:

Waller Creek Center (625 E. 10th St., Austin, TX)

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with the potential for a hybrid work schedule, pending approval from the manager. Other hours as business needs require.

Benefits:

Working with Austin Water provides several 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:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates (month and year), job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
  
• The starting salary will be based on the overall relevant experience outlined in your application.
  
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected in the application.
  
• Please be sure to detail all current and previous employment on the application that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• Statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• A résumé and cover letter are required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications, resumes, or cover letters will not be considered.
  

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 before confirming a start date.
  

Secondary Employment:

• All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that may conflict or interfere with their 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.
  

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver's License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requirements. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

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. The 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 at any time after 7 days.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply; however, the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the listed date. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

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: 2025-10-30