• Job Description

  Req#: 3900085

  Position Overview:

  Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo is transforming the way we do government and is seeking an experienced, dynamic, and motivated Policy Director to join our team and shape the vision for the future of Harris County.

  The Policy Director serves as Judge Hidalgo’s principal policy advisor and leads the Policy Team to develop and implement the Judge’s policy agenda. In this role, the Policy Director will liaise with experts from across the country in the issue areas of importance to the office, and use evidence, research, and community input to inform the direction of the Judge’s actions and advocacy. The Policy Director will manage the Deputy Policy Director, Senior Policy Advisors, and Policy Advisors and Analysts who are responsible for leading discrete policy initiatives and projects from ideation to fruition on various issues such as flood control, climate resilience, criminal justice reform, mental health, affordable housing, and early childhood development.

  
  

  About the Harris County Judge:

  Harris County is the third largest and most diverse county in the nation, with a population of more than 4.7 million, rivaling the size of the entire state of Louisiana. Judge Hidalgo functions as the CEO of Harris County and presides over the Harris County Commissioners Court, the County's governing body. Along with four County Commissioners, the County Judge directs a budget of more than $4 billion providing essential services such as justice administration, flood control, infrastructure, and housing. Judge Hidalgo also serves as Harris County’s Director of Emergency Management.

  
  

  Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Serve as principal policy advisor to the County Judge to shape the short and long-term policy vision for Harris County

  • Work with Judge Hidalgo, the Chief of Staff, and other members of the Policy Team to define short and long-term policy priorities for the office

  • Finalize and often present policy memos and other documents to the County Judge to keep her informed of activities and initiatives and support her decision-making process

  • Support the Policy Team’s efforts to develop positions, proposals, strategies, and policy details and drive initiatives from ideation to implementation

  • Provide research and analytical support for various policy initiatives and priorities

  • Advise Judge Hidalgo on departmental and precinct-level requests that come before Commissioners Court, including bi-monthly agenda items and semi-annual operating budget and Capital Improvement Plan proposals

  • Work with the Policy Team to develop Judge Hidalgo’s positions on pressing legislative matters

  • Work with the Communications Team and community outreach staff to inform and engage the public on policy positions and initiatives

  • Oversee the implementation of key county-wide policy initiatives and programs by working with precinct leadership and staff, department directors, and department staff

  • Continuously assess and address the needs of the Policy Team to streamline operations and ensure it runs as efficiently and effectively as possible

  
  

  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.

  Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

  • Minimum seven (7) years of experience in relevant positions with increasing responsibility

    • Master’s degree will be accepted for two (2) years of experience

  • Experience in government or politics

  
  

  Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Significant experience managing multiple competing projects and deadlines

  • Extremely detail-oriented

  • Has the ability to identify and address critical issues relevant to achieving the County Judge’s strategic goals and vision, and makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions

  • Possesses exceptional project management skills to manage a variety of projects simultaneously and the ability to create strong, positive working relationships

  • Has a can-do attitude and is resourceful

  • Develops networks and builds alliances, collaborates across boundaries to build strategic relationships

  • Has the ability to translate complex concepts into plain oral or written language, and a distinctly excellent ability to write, edit, and organize policy documents and other information very clearly to intended audiences

  • Has experience in several of the following areas: health and/or mental health policy, housing policy, resilience, urban planning, criminal justice policy, education policy, environmental policy, or public budgeting

  • Has experience building and managing high-performing teams

  • Has a high level of flexibility in fast-paced environments, and is proactive, self-motivated, and mission-driven

  • Creates strategic change within and outside the organization to meet organizational goals

  • Develops new insights into situations that arise in the moment and over time, and encourages new ideas and innovations

  • Takes a long-term view and builds a shared vision with others, and acts as a catalyst for organizational change

  • Deals effectively with pressure, remains optimistic and persistent even under adversity, and recovers quickly from setbacks

  • Holds self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results

  • Has ability to develop successful working relationships with governments and staff of other elected officials at every level throughout Harris County, Texas, and the United States

  • Comprehends stakeholders’ self-interest and helps translate them into solid programs

  • Has exceptional communications skills – verbal, written, interpersonal, and presentation

  • Has a keen sense of effective messaging

  • Encourages a respectful and collaborative work environment that recognizes and celebrates diversity, equity, and inclusion

  • Identifies inequitable practices and policies and assists in implementing strategies to ensure equitable outcomes

  • Demonstrates awareness and respect for cross-cultural differences and creates innovative and inclusive programmatic solutions

  
  

  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.

  • Advanced degree preferred

  Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

  • Regular Full-time

  • Monday - Friday | 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

    • Requires the ability to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, on a frequent basis

    Salary:

    • Depends on Qualifications

    • Based on 26 Pay Periods

    
    

    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.

• About the company

  Office of Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E.

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