Job Description
Position Description
Precinct One’s Mission
Precinct One’s mission is that we are committed to become a national model for delivering responsive public service utilizing inclusive, innovative and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County. The Policy team advances the mission by developing and advancing equitable public policy that enhances the quality of life of all Harris County residents.
Precinct One’s mission is that we are committed to become a national model for delivering responsive public service utilizing inclusive, innovative and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County. The Policy team advances the mission by developing and advancing equitable public policy that enhances the quality of life of all Harris County residents.
What you will do at Precinct One
The Policy team’s research and advocacy is grounded in principles of racial, social and economic equity, primarily focused on fields of access for affordable and quality health care, criminal justice reform and community safety, economic equity and opportunity, voting rights, affordable housing, and environmental and climate justice.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- All Policy Division team members are responsible for advancing, developing and defending policies consistent with the Precinct One mission. Duties include conducting research and analysis, drafting policy briefs and recommendations, monitoring and tracking developments, developing actionable solutions, proposing and implementing strategic plans in relevant areas of public policy to aid in advancing reforms, and educating and organizing relevant stakeholders.
- Performing skilled and highly detailed research on various issues and specific interests while working within the organization and across specific interest groups is a vital part of this role. You will attend meetings, hearings and functions as a Precinct One liaison.
- Other duties as assigned.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Requirements
What you will bring to Precinct One
Education:
-
Bachelor's Degree in Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science, Law, Economics, Research Science, or related field from an accredited college or university
-
Equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of the specified educational requirements.
-
- Three (3) years’ experience in policy analysis, related government experience or other areas of analysis that can advance Precinct One’s mission.
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing equity and justice consistent with the Precinct One mission, with experience in some combination of research, policy development, and advocacy.
- Quantitative and/or data analytic skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft software applications which could include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
- All applicants are required to submit a one-page cover letter along with an up-to-date resume.
License:
- Valid driver’s license (Texas upon hire) and a good driving record.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
- Ability to perform highly skilled research and policy analysis, and to apply critical thinking to evaluate issues and justifiable policy recommendations, solutions, and approaches.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Has the ability to translate complex concepts into plain oral or written language. Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Written work product should not need significant revisions.
- Ability to work in and facilitate cross-functional teams.
- Possesses exceptional project management skills to manage a variety of projects simultaneously.
- Ability to create strong, positive working relationships. Encourages a respectful and collaborative work environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Demonstrates awareness and respect for cross-cultural differences and creates innovative and inclusive programmatic solutions.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills: collegial, energetic, flexible, motivated, and able to develop productive relationships with colleagues, grantees, consultants, and others who contribute to program development and management.
- Has ability to develop successful working relationships with staff of organizations and other elected officials at every level throughout Harris County, Texas, and the United States.
- Has a high level of flexibility in fast-paced environments, and is proactive, self-motivated, and mission-driven.
- Can work independently and as part of a team.
- Embodies Policy and Precinct values and culture, including a strong work ethic, collaborative environment, and steadfast commitment to the Precinct and Policy team missions.
NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Education:
- Master Degree of Public Policy, Public Administration or Law from an accredited college or university
- Experience working in or with government departments or agencies.
- Demonstrated ability to partner with community coalitions and local leaders to accelerate their work to achieve equitable policies and outcomes.
- Ability to analyze data, identify economic disparities, and develop and implement strategies to address disparities.
General Information
Position Type:
- Full-time | Regular
What You Get in Return
You will be in a mission-driven organization surrounded by colleagues who bring their best to work each day and collaborate to make a difference in the communities Precinct One serves along with Harris County as a whole.
Harris County employees receive a competitive salary plus medical, dental and vision insurance at no cost to the employee after the first two months of full-time continued employment. Vacation, sick time and floating holidays allow our employees to recharge and balance work and personal time. Mandatory participation in our retirement program allows employees to save for retirement. Various other benefits and discounts lead to the satisfaction and engagement of our employees.
About the Policy Department
The Policy Department is committed to racial, social, and economic justice, and ask that team members believe deeply that economic, and social and racial justice are important and that they are driven to act on this belief. To engage effectively with our mission, team members must recognize ways that economic and social justice issues intersect and play out in the work, especially with communities we serve, and that team members are continually able to hear, reflect, and act on feedback regrading identity and equity with the aim to learn.
The Policy Department serves as a conduit for the research and vetting of information to assist in decision-making. The goal of the department is to ensure that every decision is well informed, evaluated and executed in the manner that best serves the constituents. The Policy Department is responsible for building out longer-term issue campaigns and designing roadmaps to implementation, in collaboration with community engagement and communications teams at the Precinct.
About Precinct One
There are four precincts in Harris County. The four elected commissioners, along with an elected county judge, serve as members of Harris County Commissioners Court, the administrative head of the county’s government. Commissioner Rodney Ellis represents the constituents of Precinct One.
With approximately 1.17 million residents, Harris County Precinct One is a diverse, urban precinct that covers 363 square miles. Precinct One’s multi-racial, multi-ethnic population is roughly 33 percent African American, 38 percent Latino, 21 percent Anglo, 6 percent Asian and 2 percent other or multiple races.
Precinct One stretches south to Brazoria County and reaches into eastern and northern sections of Harris County. The Precinct’s territory includes a large section of Downtown Houston, including the Downtown Harris County Courthouse Complex, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park and the BBVA Compass Stadium. Other notable landmarks include the 263-acre NRG Park Complex and the renowned Texas Medical Center. The Precinct is also the higher educational home to Houston Community College, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the University of Houston and the University of St. Thomas. Precinct One manages more than 21 parks, 10 community centers, numerous hike-and-bike trails, three maintenance service centers and several area offices, all of which provide an array of services to Precinct One residents.
You will be in a mission-driven organization surrounded by colleagues who bring their best to work each day and collaborate to make a difference in the communities Precinct One serves along with Harris County as a whole.
Harris County employees receive a competitive salary plus medical, dental and vision insurance at no cost to the employee after the first two months of full-time continued employment. Vacation, sick time and floating holidays allow our employees to recharge and balance work and personal time. Mandatory participation in our retirement program allows employees to save for retirement. Various other benefits and discounts lead to the satisfaction and engagement of our employees.
About the Policy Department
The Policy Department is committed to racial, social, and economic justice, and ask that team members believe deeply that economic, and social and racial justice are important and that they are driven to act on this belief. To engage effectively with our mission, team members must recognize ways that economic and social justice issues intersect and play out in the work, especially with communities we serve, and that team members are continually able to hear, reflect, and act on feedback regrading identity and equity with the aim to learn.
The Policy Department serves as a conduit for the research and vetting of information to assist in decision-making. The goal of the department is to ensure that every decision is well informed, evaluated and executed in the manner that best serves the constituents. The Policy Department is responsible for building out longer-term issue campaigns and designing roadmaps to implementation, in collaboration with community engagement and communications teams at the Precinct.
About Precinct One
There are four precincts in Harris County. The four elected commissioners, along with an elected county judge, serve as members of Harris County Commissioners Court, the administrative head of the county’s government. Commissioner Rodney Ellis represents the constituents of Precinct One.
With approximately 1.17 million residents, Harris County Precinct One is a diverse, urban precinct that covers 363 square miles. Precinct One’s multi-racial, multi-ethnic population is roughly 33 percent African American, 38 percent Latino, 21 percent Anglo, 6 percent Asian and 2 percent other or multiple races.
Precinct One stretches south to Brazoria County and reaches into eastern and northern sections of Harris County. The Precinct’s territory includes a large section of Downtown Houston, including the Downtown Harris County Courthouse Complex, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park and the BBVA Compass Stadium. Other notable landmarks include the 263-acre NRG Park Complex and the renowned Texas Medical Center. The Precinct is also the higher educational home to Houston Community College, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the University of Houston and the University of St. Thomas. Precinct One manages more than 21 parks, 10 community centers, numerous hike-and-bike trails, three maintenance service centers and several area offices, all of which provide an array of services to Precinct One residents.
How to apply
If this job sounds interesting, you meet the required qualifications and you can see yourself working for Precinct One in our Policy area, we invite you to apply.
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Wellness
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
- 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
- Professional development opportunities
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
- Retirement pension (TCDRS)
- Flexible schedules (varies by department)
- Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
- Flexible schedules (varies by department)
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/Medical.aspx
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