Key responsibilities include provides executive leadership for the Fire Department, establishing departmental goals, programs, policies, staffing priorities, and service strategies; leads the City's efforts to preserve life and property through effective fire prevention and suppression services; monitors and evaluates departmental methods, procedures, and service delivery; serves as the lead administrator for sworn and non-sworn employees and builds organizational capability through recruitment, selection, training, evaluation, coaching, mentoring, and employee development; builds trusted relationships with community and business leaders, using innovative outreach approaches to strengthen partnerships and encourage community support; develops cooperative relationships with City departments, law enforcement agencies, and related organizations; establishes effective working relationships with the City Manager, City Council, department directors, employees, and the public; provides executive oversight of departmental resources and budgetary responsibilities; and provides leadership within a represented workforce environment, including the Meet and Confer process, labor negotiations, employee counseling, discipline, and other personnel matters. Located at the edge of the Texas Hill Country -- rolling terrain of limestone bluffs, springs, rivers, and lakes -- Austin's climate is ideal for year-round jogging, cycling, hiking on the city's many trails, or swimming at Barton Springs Pool or one of the area's many other swimming holes.