Andrew Rivera

Austin,TX

Work History

Office of Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman, City of Austin

Directed the Council Member’s schedule, expertly prioritizing meetings, public appearances, and critical engagements while serving as the key liaison for constituent concerns, fostering trust and productive relationships
Conducted detailed research on zoning cases, ordinances, and city policies to deliver concise, actionable recommendations, enabling informed Council decisions
Streamlined Council meeting preparation, creating summary sheets for zoning cases and ensuring all materials were accurate and accessible
Collaborated with city departments to revamp mail-handling protocols during heightened security risks, ensuring both safety and operational efficiency
Partnered with community organizations and stakeholders to champion initiatives that reflected the community’s priorities and aligned with policy goals
Played a pivotal role in the budget review process by developing tools to track funding decisions and facilitating clear communication between departments
Researched and initiated operational improvements for the Planning Commission, leading to the creation of the Zoning and Platting Commission to address inefficiencies
Contributed to the development of Austin’s first 'no-kill' animal shelter policies, advancing citywide animal welfare initiatives

Office of Council Member Kim, City of Austin

Facilitated a smooth office transition, establishing operational readiness from Day One, including the implementation of tailored technology and systems to optimize efficiency
Established streamlined processes for submitting Council actions and fostered strategic collaboration with other Council Members to secure co-sponsorships
Designed office workflows aligned with the Council Member’s strategic goals, enhancing productivity and enabling focus on priority initiatives
Spearheaded public outreach campaigns to engage and inform constituents about city services, ensuring community voices were represented in decision-making
Drafted policy documents and coordinated comprehensive briefings on zoning and legislative matters to support the Council Member’s advocacy and voting priorities

Planning Department, City of Austin

Managed the preparation of posting language and materials for Council agenda items, doubling departmental output without compromising quality
Drafted zoning and land-use determination memorandums, reviewed staff reports, and collaborated with teams to finalize recommendations
Played a key role in resolving complex zoning disputes between staff and stakeholders, minimizing the need for escalated interventions
Developed a centralized, hyperlinked agenda system for commission meetings, improving accessibility for staff and the public
Partnered with commission chairs to implement procedural reforms, including updated rules aligned with Robert’s Rules of Order, such as setting time limits for commissioners

Reinvigorated commission support by introducing regular one-on-one meetings and consistent check-ins with commissioners, ensuring alignment and clarity on key issues
Served as the primary point of contact for all commission-related matters, simplifying communication and enhancing collaboration
Partnered with the Law Department to interpret and convey guidance on the Land Development Code, ensuring commissioners had accurate legal context during deliberations
Enhanced public participation during the pandemic by implementing virtual engagement strategies identical to in-person procedures, ensuring equitable access
Coordinated public hearings and introduced same-day registration and real-time speaker notifications, reducing barriers to civic involvement
Restored the ability for speakers to donate time during public meetings, increasing flexibility and participation

Austin Community College

Austin, TX

05-1995

Office of Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Goodman, City of Austin

Office of Council Member Kim, City of Austin

Planning Department, City of Austin

Austin Community College