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Job 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:
Chief Information Security Officer
Purpose:
This position is responsible for the Citywide information security program, including safeguarding the City's information, data, and technology infrastructure, and for overseeing the information security governance committee.
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 the cyber team that monitors and protects the City's information and data from current and emerging internal and external security threats.
- Designs, develops, implements, evaluates, refines, monitors, and reports on all security-related aspects of the City's information and data systems and architecture.
- Leads the development and implementation of cyber-incident response plans and procedures to ensure timely recovery of business-critical services during security events; delivers guidance, support, and internal consulting on incident response practices; works with the resiliency team to ensure incident responses are a coordinated effort across the City.
- Assess current IT security best practices and systems controls to identify areas for improvement, based on NIST control sets.
- Collaborates with the enterprise architecture team to align security and enterprise reference architectures, ensuring cybersecurity requirements are embedded by design and integrated into all architectural frameworks.
- Researches and evaluates Citywide data security solutions through the citywide enterprise architecture process.
- Develops and presents budget recommendations, long- and short-term plans, and key performance indicators and targets.
- Directs security threat assessments, risk analyses, and system audits; leads and participates in tabletop exercises for cybers; and develops information and data security standards.
- Collaborates with other departments and stakeholders for cybersecurity best practices and preparedness for cyber events.
- Represents the City on information security strategy to internal and external organizations and maintains an information security governance committee.
- Oversees relevant and appropriate communications, awareness, and training programs.
- Oversees the coordination of the Citywide Security Operations.
- Champions and educates the organization about the latest security initiatives, strategies and technologies.
Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:- 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 Local, State, and Federal laws and regulations relevant to information security, privacy, and computer crime.
- Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
- Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of computer systems and technology.
- Knowledge of operating systems, Internet technologies, databases, and security infrastructure.
- Knowledge of information security controls, procedures, and regulations.
- Knowledge of concepts and techniques for enterprise risk management, audits, and risk assessments.
- Knowledge of incident response program practices and procedures.
- Skill in quickly resolving advanced security issues in diverse and decentralized environments.
- Skill in foreseeing technology threats and keeping ahead of security needs.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, executive management, peers, State and County officials, outside agencies and partners, vendors, community groups, general public, and media representatives.
- Ability to direct and organize program activities; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
- Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures and to prepare reports.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing, verbally, and in presentations.
- Ability to plan, assign, or supervise the work of others.
- Ability to manage and oversee the development, monitoring, and maintenance of technology security processes and controls.
Minimum Qualifications:- Graduation with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in information technology security, computer information systems, computer science, management information systems, or a related field, plus six (6) years of related experience, including two (2) years of experience which were in a supervisory capacity.
Licenses and Certifications Required:- Maintain relevant security, privacy or risk leadership certification (i.e., CISSP, CISM, CISA, CRISC, CDPSE,CIPP, CIPM, CIPT, CCSK, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 27701 ) or obtain within six (6) months of employment.
Preferred Qualifications:- Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity programs across both public and private sector organizations, with a strong preference for state or local government experience.
- Proven ability to balance policy-level decision-making with hands-on technical understanding of security architecture, risk management, and incident response.
- Experience overseeing information security functions in sectors such as utilities, airports, or industrial control systems, where safety, compliance, and technology converge.
- Track record of assessing, prioritizing, and executing long-term cybersecurity strategies and roadmaps that align organizational objectives with realistic timelines for improvement.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to effectively translate complex technical concepts for policymakers, executive leadership, and non-technical audiences, fostering trust and transparency across departments and City governance structures.
Notes to Candidate:
To view the detailed Recruitment Profile for this position, please click here.
To view the City of Austin recruitment video, please click here.
Working with 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, training opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.
Austin Technology Services
Austin Technology Services (ATS) is the City of Austin's principal information technology department and focuses on the delivery and operations of vital IT infrastructure network and telecommunications services, continuous service improvement, and solutions to enable customer success. ATS also teams up with regional partners to improve public safety communication throughout Central Texas.
ATS is comprised of four primary divisions, each with a unique focus:- Enterprise Infrastructure & Operations: Provides enterprise infrastructure, WIFI, security, and hardware to support City-wide services and technology.
- Enterprise Applications & Project Support: Provides digital services, enterprise application support, and project management services across the City.
- Public Safety Technology: Provides infrastructure, communication and technology solutions, hardware, security, project management services, and applications for public safety agencies within the City and throughout the region.
- Information Security: Provides the framework, leadership, and services to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and technology.
Salary Range: The salary salary range is $205,000 to $215,000 annually.
Location: 2400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741
Days and Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Monday - Friday.
*Hours may vary depending upon business needs. This position is on-site.
The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate is a strategic and technically adept leader who can seamlessly balance the policy, operational, and technical dimensions of information security. They bring a blend of public- and private-sector experience, ideally with a strong background in state or local government. This individual excels at developing long-term cybersecurity strategies, setting clear priorities, and ensuring the pace of technology and process improvements aligns with organizational needs. They are a clear and confident communicator who can translate complex technical issues into actionable insights for policymakers, executive leadership, and staff across all levels of the organization. A collaborative problem-solver and decisive leader, the ideal candidate cultivates trust, transparency, and alignment around the City’s information security goals while driving meaningful progress across departments.
The following core competencies are important for this role:- Strategic and Technical Leadership: Balances high-level strategic planning with deep technical understanding to guide the City’s cybersecurity direction and ensure strong, data-driven decision-making.
- Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively conveys complex information security issues to executive leaders, policymakers, and technical teams; builds shared understanding and commitment across diverse stakeholders.
- Collaboration and Relationship Building: Builds productive partnerships within the City organization and with external agencies; fosters a culture of trust, accountability, and shared responsibility for information security.
- Change Management and Prioritization: Excels at assessing risks, setting priorities, and pacing security initiatives to deliver sustainable improvements that support organizational readiness and resilience.
- Policy and Governance Expertise: Understands the regulatory and operational landscape of public-sector cybersecurity, guiding the development of policies, standards, and practices that strengthen the City’s overall security framework.
Regarding Your Application:- A detailed and complete Employment Application is required. A Resume and Cover Letter are required and will not be accepted in lieu of a complete online Employment Application.
- Verification of employment history dates on resume should match online Employment Application.
- This position requires a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI).
- A first review of candidates will occur on March 2, 2026. To apply, candidates must complete this online application. Interested candidates should apply early in the process for optimum consideration.
Note: Information submitted for consideration may be made available to the public in compliance with the Texas Open Records Act.
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. - Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
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ABOUT THE COMPANY
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City of Austin
Show moreThe City of Austin
This vibrant and dynamic city tops many lists for business, entertainment, and quality of life. One of the country’s most popular, high-profile “green” and culturally rich cities, Austin was recently selected the number one Best Place to Live in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report). In 2016, Forbes named Austin the city most likely to prosper over the next decade on their America’s Cities of the Future list, and the City of Austin ranked in the top ten on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for 2017.
Austin continues to lead with its vision of being the Most Livable City in the Country, emerging as a player on the international scene with such events as SXSW, Austin City Limits, Formula 1, and being home to companies such as Apple, Samsung, Dell, and Ascension Seton Healthcare. From the home of state government and the University of Texas 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, and sustainability.
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 temperate 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 a number of excellent golf courses in the area as well as recreational opportunities for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, rock climbing, disc golf, mountain biking, fishing, and more. Austin truly has something to offer for everyone.
City Government
The City of Austin is a progressive, full-service municipal organization operating under the Council-Manager form of government. Austin has a 10-1 council system with an at-large Mayor and Council Members that represent ten districts. The Mayor and Council Members may serve in their respective seats for four years with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
The City Council appoints the City Manager who is the chief administrative and executive officer of the City. The City Manager is responsible for guiding and directing day-to-day operations, as well as providing strategic research, recommendations, and management leadership to the City Council on the city budget, programs, policies, and services. The City Manager implements the organization’s administrative responsibilities with a strong team of Assistant City Managers and department executives. Supported by a staff of more than 14,000 and a budget of $4.1 billion, the City Manager and staff deliver a broad range of services to the citizens of Austin.
The City Council and City Manager of Austin are committed to the mission of delivering the highest quality, cost-effective services. 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.
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