Information & Referral Specialist (Bilingual)

Position Description

If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.

Our Values:

• Transparency - We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity - Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect - We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact - We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration - We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview: Under the supervision of the Business Operations Supervisor, the Information & Referral Specialist will support the Environmental Public Health (EPH) division, through assigned duties including customer service and constituent interaction, handling inquiries, administrative support, documentation, and accurate entry of data into the appropriate systems. Duties & Responsibilities:

• Greet citizens in a professional and courteous manner, answer calls, take messages and field questions from the public, industry and agencies, handling inquires when able and/or referring them to appropriate personnel.

• Provide complete and accurate information to callers requesting environmental public health services.
• Take complaints from citizens during regular working hours, enter all information into applicable database, and assign to an investigator.
• Accurately enter data into various databases, spreadsheets, and/or documents that would come from citizens and/or business personnel.
• Collect funds for Harris County permits and keep records of collections.
• Schedule and confirm appointments for citizens, employees, and supervisors.
• Mail letters, permits, material, and various other items.
• Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail and other material, and prepare answers to routine letters.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer 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

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalent required.

Experience:

• At least one (1) year of customer service experience required.

Language:

• Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Understands the organizational mission
• Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
• Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others
• Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
• Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
• Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to handle difficult people and situations in a professional manner.
• Must demonstrate a professional image and have a cheerful, helpful phone voice.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects and be a team player.
• Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.

• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.

• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.

• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.

• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.

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.

General Information

Position Type: This is a Full Time | Regular position Monday through Friday | 8am - 5pm Other days and hours as necessary

Work Environment: This position operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc.

Physical Demands: This is primarily a sedentary position. Some duties would require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.

Work Location: 1111 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002

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.

Harris County Employee Benefits

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.