AE Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager

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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:

Purpose:
Under limited direction, this position reduces wildfire risk by creating resilience through proactive planning, analytics, technology, operational excellence, strategic partnerships, and compliance for the electric system.

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.

• Leads wildfire mitigation activities for Austin Energy (AE) by developing and establishing program goals, objectives, and strategies.
  
• Acts as a change agent; monitors and evaluates program effectiveness; develops and implements strategies for continuous improvement.
  
• Serves as a wildfire mitigation expert and provides authoritative knowledge, analysis, advice, and recommendations that ensure effective risk management and mitigation.
  
• Coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders in interactions involving wildfire risk trends, common issues and best practices, and the development of effective mitigation strategies.
  
• Creates, maintains, and communicates AE’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan and Public Safety Power Shutoff program.
  
• Leads department strategic projects and initiatives under the Wildfire Mitigation Plan. Develops cross-divisional project teams across all the organization’s functional areas.
  
• Identifies and maintains wildfire risk metrics and key performance metrics for each initiative. Demonstrates and quantifies the reduction of risk due to the programs put in place.
  
• Establishes and maintains controls and reporting to manage and monitor budget, scope, quality, schedule, and risks across the portfolio of wildfire mitigation projects; maintains overall program completion that is on time and within budget.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May be responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.
  

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 in developing and implementing a wildfire management program for a utility.
  
• Knowledge of methods and principles of fire suppression, fire investigation, and fire prevention.
  
• Knowledge of the utility industry: trends, issues, business operations, safety practices, and regulations.
  
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws and ordinances governing the electric utility industry.
  
• Knowledge of electric industry reliability practices, policies, procedures, and standards.
  
• Knowledge of electric utility engineering or construction standards and practices.
  
• Knowledge of fiscal planning and budget preparation.
  
• Knowledge and skill in process improvement concepts, methods, and practices (Six Sigma, Agile, etc.).
  
• Knowledge of technology and capabilities that reduce potential wildfire damages through proper selection of resources, system improvements, and early warningdetection systems that increase human safety.
  
• Skill in oral and written communication.
  
• Skill in the qualitative and quantitative analysis of risk.
  
• Interpersonal and collaboration skills to effectively partner with leaders and peers and facilitate effective cross-functional team building.
  
• Ability to develop wildfire management plans and carry out fire preventions programs, coordinating with others, and interpreting policy.
  
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions and changes in priorities.
  
• Ability to quickly recognize, analyze, and respond to irregular events.
  
• Ability to train others.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework related to the job, plus five (5) years of experience in wildfire mitigation, fire suppression, fire investigation, or fire management to include at least one year of experience related to electric utility system operations.
  
• Graduation with a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with electric distribution design and electric distribution construction standards and practices including grid hardening solutions.
  
• Ability to produce high-quality documentation by writing clear and well-structured explanations of mitigation programs, risk assessment methodologies, and technical assessments.
  
• Proficient in standard office and analysis software. This includes strong skills in Microsoft Office 365 and experience with online collaboration platforms (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, or similar).
  
• Ability to assist in the research, evaluation, and recommendations for supporting technologies and create and maintain process flows, work instructions, and functional and technical requirements.
  
• Ability to improve decision tooling and governance: develop and maintain standard operation procedures, dashboards, decision logs, and after-action reviews; track and report outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
  
• Ability to travel to multiple worksites as part of regular duties.
  

Notes to Candidate:

The ideal candidate for this position will provide analysis and operational support related to wildfire risk analysis and fire weather forecasting. This role will deliver timely and accurate insights that inform risk modeling, enhanced setting decisions, operational readiness, action plans, and real-time situational awareness. The Austin Energy Wildfire Mitigation Program Manager works in close coordination with transmission, distribution, engineering/design, emergency management, enterprise risk teams and represents Austin Energy in community, state, and national wildfire committees. The ideal candidate will perform the following:

• Assess, monitor, and predict critical fire conditions by utilizing wildfire mitigation and/or utility expertise and technical skills to develop and implement strategies to support the Wildfire Mitigation Plan and the Electric System Resiliency Plan.
  
• Collect, process, and analyze wildfire risk data from various sources, including surface observations and wildland fire databases. Utilize fire behavior models and historical data to predict fire growth, intensity, and direction. Provide real-time information to support the utility’s efforts.
  
• Develop risk-informed strategies and performance metrics to assess overall wildfire risk and write supporting justifications.
  
• Define and update criteria for mitigation efforts and recommend improvements.
  
• Manage the development, implementation, integration, and maintenance of data analytics tools and processes supporting risk modeling activities.
  
• Represent the Wildfire Mitigation Team in discussions with executives, risk teams, regulatory teams, and community wildfire teams.
  

Working with Austin Energy 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.

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, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
  
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on application.
  
• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fi elds that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

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 identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Good Standing Employees:
Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the department/division that the position resides in and who meet the minimum and all of the preferred qualifications (if any) of the position will be included in the initial interview. Department/division employee must remain in Good Standing through the Top Candidate Selection phase at which time the Good Standing status will be re-verified.

Assessments:
Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

Pay Range: Commensurate depending on qualifications and experience.

Location/Hours:
SCC, 2500 Montopolis Drive, Austin, Texas.

Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. 40-hour work week (Hybrid Available).

Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.

Work Schedule:

• This position is categorized as Essential Personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin.
  
• Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.
  
• Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
  
• Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.
  

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close 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. 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: 2026-01-27

• 

• City of Austin

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