Public Information Request Specialist

Job Description:

Public Information Request Specialist

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.

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:

Public Information Request Specialist

Purpose:

Under general supervision, provides high-level research, collaboration, and support to internal stakeholders on Public Information Request submission responses and administration.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

• Handles public information requests, forwarding to the correct divisions or departments for responses.
  
• Reviews submitted responsive information and ensures appropriate redactions are applied. Research information as requested and needed. Coordinates with other agencies and personnel for certain aspects of mutual research or investigation on public information requests. Responds to client or customer complaints or escalates to appropriate personnel.
  
• Counsels and facilitates interventions for the prevention of errors involving department and program plans.
  
• Provides information to citizens, individually and in groups, regarding organization, operations, laws, policies, and procedures.
  
• Reviews public information reports or tracking and updates as necessary.
  
• Compiles data and writes informational reports.
  
• Produces memos, letters, reports, or other written material.
  

Minimum Qualifications:
Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a field related to the job, plus two (2) years of related experience. Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in processing public information requests in local government.
  
• Working knowledge of the rules, policies, and procedures associated with the Public Information Act.
  
• Excellent written communication, ability to handle sensitive/confidential information, and experience managing tight deadlines.
  
• Records and information management experience and familiarity with local government policies and procedures.
  
• Ability to travel to other City of Austin work locations, as needed.
  

Notes to Candidate:

Position Overview

Austin Water’s Director’s Office is seeking a Public Information Request Specialist to assist with Austin Water’s public information request program. Austin Water is a complex department with over 1,400 employees staffed across multiple facilities throughout the City of Austin.

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:

$27.77 - $33.95 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, 7:30 AM - 4:30 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.
  
• Your skills and competencies for this role will be assessed before you are invited to interview.
  
• Minimum required passing score of 70% per assessment.
  

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.
  

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: 2026-02-16