Project Manager (Project Connect/Austin Water)

Job Description:

Project Manager (Project Connect/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.

Job Description:

Project Manager

Purpose:

Under minimal supervision, this position is responsible for managing the work involving the coordination of one or more large or moderately complex administrative projects or activities that require a high degree of specialized knowledge.

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.

• Manages the design, development, and implementation of projects to include, but not limited to, gathering and defining the project requirements; obtains staffing requirements; and forms projected teams.
  
• Manages the selection process and administers consultant services, including negotiating contract terms and fees by negotiating the contract, approving the consultant's product, approving payment to consultant, initiating poor performance remedies, etc.
  
• Develops short- and long-range plans for future to ongoing projects, including estimating timelines for start-up and completion of projects.
  
• Manages, monitors, and reviews contracts and contractors to ensure compliance with contractual obligations, including administering change orders and estimates.
  
• Coordinates and prepares reports and correspondence in response to requests for information from City Manager's Office, Mayor, and City Council Offices; prepares City Council agenda material such as ordinance memorandums and presentations.
  
• Prepares and delivers presentations to the City Manager, management team, and department directors.
  
• Suggests and implements management solutions to address new or ongoing challenges faced by the City organization.
  
• Manages the performance of professional staff in work involving organizational structure review and operations research and related work reviewing departments, divisions, and programs.
  
• Assists in planning, directing, and coordinating, through subordinate level staff, the department work plan; meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures.
  
• Provides technical advice and assistance to City management, field personnel, contractors, etc.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May provide leadership and/or supervision to assigned employees or project management.

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 laws, rules, regulations, and codes associate project assignment.
  
• Knowledge of project accounting and methodologies and the principles, methods, and practices of project management.
  
• Knowledge of design principles, practices, procedures, and estimating techniques.
  
• Knowledge of budget policies and principles.
  
• Knowledge of contract policies and procedures.
  
• Skill in adapting, interpreting, and applying guidelines and standards.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external customers.
  
• Skill in using available applicable software packages.
  
• Skill in evaluating contract agreements.
  
• Skill in negotiating with various audiences to accomplish objectives.
  
• Skill in written and oral communications including public presentations.
  
• Skill in completing projects within the required scheduling.
  
• Ability to make prompt decisions and develop new and relative ideas for providing a quality product and quality customer service with little or no supervision.
  
• Ability to perform all facets of projects with little or no supervision.
  
• Ability to plan, execute, and control a project (establishing realistic estimates and reporting metrics).
  
• Ability to assess and analyze project risks and exposures, identify options and alternatives, make decisions, and implement corrective actions.
  
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, tact, and diplomacy in all public contacts.
  
• Ability to resolve conflicts and difficult situations.
  
• Ability to communicate in oral or written format to a variety of audiences.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field or major coursework in project management, plus six (6) years of progressively responsible work experience in managing projects.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience working with state and local governmental agencies and departments in underground utility design and construction.
  
• Experience with utility design in relation to light rail.
  
• Knowledge of and/or experience with the City’s Land Development Code, Austin Water’s Utilities Criteria Manual, TCEQ utility design criteria, and/or other code and criteria related to water, reclaimed water, and wastewater infrastructure.
  
• Experience in communication with a wide variety of stakeholders including elected officials.
  
• Experience managing feedback from a diverse team of planners, engineers, technical staff, and/or stakeholders.
  
• Experience developing and monitoring program operating budgets, costs, and schedules.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Austin Water (AW) has an opening for a full-time Project Manager to provide key leadership and coordination for several high-profile transit projects as part of Project Connect.

The Project Manager will serve as the primary liaison between Austin Project Connect (APC) and AW, specifically for work related to the Project Connect transit system. This role provides seamless coordination, communication, and issue resolution across City departments and partner agencies involved in the design and construction of the Austin Light Rail, rapid bus system, and associated transportation projects.

The Project Manager will assist in planning, directing, and coordinating AW resources related to Project Connect. The role requires meeting with management staff to identify and resolve problems, assigning tasks to staff members, and reviewing and evaluating work products and procedures.

The ideal candidate is proficient in water utility systems design and regulations, can work in a bustling work environment, and can effectively communicate with the public and elected officials. This position is expected to function at a high level, managing multiple aspects of project development and prioritization for multiple projects in various phases of project development.

Pay Rate: $85,120 - $109,400

Location: Waller Creek Center, 625 E 10th St

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Hours may vary depending on departmental needs and initiatives.

Working for the City of Austin provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities, and more. Click here for more information on City of Austin Benefits !

Essential Employee: This position is considered an “Essential” role and is essential to the operations of the City based on the preparation, response, and recovery phase of extraordinary situations or emergency conditions. As an employee that has been designated as “Essential” the expectation will be to work at a designated work site during declared extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to serve the community. Essential Employees during emergencies play a role in ensuring the public health, safety, and welfare of our community and ensuring City operations continue.

A Cover Letter and Resume are required for this position. Please be sure to upload these documents for consideration

READ THIS STATEMENT regarding your Application:

A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Please list your complete employment history (to include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates) on your online application. The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered (e.g., "see resume" or "see LinkedIn Profile"). Resumes will not be used to qualify for the position and will not be used to recommend salary.

We also recommend 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.

Close Job Posting: Department may close the job posting at any time after 7 days.

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

90-Day Provision for Additional Vacancy: This posting may be used to fill other vacancies in other sections within the Division. Decisions on assigned section will be made at the time of hire based on business needs.

Office Location Notes: Office location is subject to change based on department needs and programs.

PLEASE NOTE: Positions are not at 100% remote operation.

Video Conferencing Software Technology: The communication platform, Microsoft Teams, will be used to conduct virtual interviews.

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: 2026-04-16