Horticulture Program Assistant

Horticulture Program Assistant

Salary: $55,770.35 - $59,522.79 Annually Location: Austin, TX Job Type: Full Time Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 26-10593 Department: Co. Agricultural Ext Serv Opening Date: 03/19/2026 Closing Date: 4/9/2026 11:59 PM Central

Description

Job Summary In partnership with Travis County and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, this position reports to both Travis County and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. The Horticulture Program Assistant performs consultative, technical and administrative work in the planning, development, implementation and monitoring of a social services program or programs. Analyzes program issues, completes policy and program analysis, conducts program research and presents program-related training and education. May coordinate or assist in coordinating the activities and functions of a designated social services program. May function as lead over subordinate program and/or other staff.

Distinguishing Characteristics: This is the second in a series of three social services program-related job classifications within the Social Services job family. This classification is dedicated to work in a specific social services program or programs and is responsible for performing consultative, technical and administrative work in the planning development, implementation and monitoring of a social services program. This classification is distinguished from the Social Services Program Specialist Associate and is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and monitoring a program and serving as technical program expert and consultant. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in program planning and development.
• Implements, or assists in implementing program directives and initiatives.
• Serves as technical consultant for program and related policy and provides technical assistance on program services.
• Analyzes program and program policy issues and documents findings.
• Monitors, reviews and evaluates information on service delivery system methods, program outcomes and activities in order to identify gaps in resources.
• Recommends and implements related improvements.
• Works with program staff in determining trends and resolving technical problems.
• Plans, develops and conducts program-related educational sessions and training.
• Speaks to community and other groups.
• Serves as liaison with, and resource for community outreach and advocacy groups, service providers and others.
• Coordinates, improves and stimulates interest in the program and may secure financial support for program as appropriate.
• Conducts program related research and evaluates findings.
• Prepares administrative and statistical reports, studies and specialized projects.
• Assists in analyzing the applications and variations of programs in order to develop action plans for program improvement.
• Initiates or assists in initiating new program initiatives.
• May review case histories to evaluate the effectiveness of program standards and policies serving clients.
• May function as lead over subordinate program and other staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND four (4) years experience in social services or a directly field; OR
• Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

• Valid Texas Drivers License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:
• Policies, practices and procedures within area of assignment.
• Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements.
• Advocacy groups, social service providers and community outreach organizations.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Skill in:
• Program planning, developing and monitoring.
• Conducting education and training sessions and public speaking presentations.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Ability to:
• Analyze, research and evaluate findings.
• Prepare administrative and statistical reports.
• Serve as technical consultant and liaison.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Communicate effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical service providers, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment.
• Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.
• Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
• Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. Occasional nights and weekends.
• Location: 1600 B Smith Road, Austin, Texas
• Department: Co. Agricultural Ext Serv
• Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: HHS_HR@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

• FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide: In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
• Credit Union: Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
• Deferred Compensation: Employees may enroll in a tax-free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
• Direct Deposit: Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
• Employee Assistance Program: Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
• Employee Organizations: Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
• Employee Health & Wellness Clinic: Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
• Holidays: An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
• Insurance: Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis Countys current policy is to pay 100% of the employees health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
• The following benefits are employee paid:
• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care
• New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.
• Longevity: Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification. On the regular payday on or after the employees fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.
• Parking: A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
• Personal Holidays: Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:
• January - March: 3 personal holidays
• April - June: 2 personal holidays
• July - September: 1 personal holiday
• October - December: None
• New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
• Retirement: Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
• Sick Leave: Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
• Parental Leave: Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
• Tuition Refund: Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
• Vacation: Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:
• 0 to 5 years: 4.0 hours per pay period
• 6 to 10 years: 4.5 hours per pay period
• 11 to 15 years: 5.0 hours per pay period
• 16 to 20 years: 5.5 hours per pay period
• 21 plus years: 6.0 hours per pay period
• Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
• Workers Compensation: The county provides all employees workers compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

Employer: Travis County Address: 700 Lavaca Street Austin, Texas, 78701 Website: https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs