Medical Reserve Corps EM Specialist

Medical Reserve Corps EM Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17399

Department

Public Health Services

Division

Public Health Preparedness & Response

Opening Date

10/16/2026

Closing Date

11/24/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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.

About Harris County 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:

HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve the community's health and well-being.

• 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 Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) Program Manager in the Public Health Preparedness & Response (PHPR) Division, the MRC Emergency Management (EM) Specialist will work with daily direction to establish a strong, viable Harris County MRC unit and network. The MRC program will work closely with Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM), the City of Houston, the cities of Harris County, the State MRC program, and the National MRC program in developing the mission objectives, recruitment criteria, training, and exercise programs that will meet the needs for Harris County. This involves the necessary administrative and operational activities associated with the community-based program designed to organize and utilize volunteers who want to donate their time and professional skills. This position will be responsible for coordinating local MRC volunteers and activities with the local emergency response plans and teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists with MRC program planning and evaluation and works with the division to appropriately include MRC functions and roles in all preparedness plans.
• Assists with the ongoing recruitment campaign for medical and non-medical MRC volunteers who are prepared to respond to a public health emergency in Harris County, and maintains a database of MRC volunteers.
• Assists with the development and maintenance of the HCPH MRC's Training and Exercise Plan in conjunction with the division.
• Conducts learning opportunities for MRC volunteers including involvement in emergency trainings, drills, and exercise.
• Assist with developing monthly reports summarizing MRC membership, activities, plans, credential verification and budget.
• Maintains a high degree of proficiency within the incident management framework, and other duties as assigned to include, but not limited to, acting in a lead logistical role during public health emergency events, developing logistical plans, and supporting all-hazard public health emergency preparedness training and exercises. This position will play a critical role in department emergency responses with extended and altered work schedule.

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

Education:

• High school diploma or GED.

Experience:

• At least one (1) year of experience with any of the following:
• Communication and public speaking experience.
• Experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Experience with community engagement, and organizing community volunteers
• Experience working with faith-based organizations, schools, and non-profit.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written)
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information
• Knowledge of the principles and practice of emergency response planning, training, and exercising
• Must possess ability to work effectively and collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders both internal and external
• Knowledge of volunteer management, recruitment, training, retention and recognition.
• Ability to conduct presentations and speak in public.
• Ability to implement program policies, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours (evenings and weekends).

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.

Preferences

Experience:

• One (1) year of experience recruiting and coordinating volunteers.

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8am to 5 pm. Others days and hours as necessary.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Outreach and work with partners may include providing recruitment presentations at outdoor outreach events, among others.
• Work will require initiative and good judgment concerning the programmatic activities of the office. Must be able to adapt to other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

• Persons in this position frequently lift, carry, push and pull objects weighing up to 10 lbs. They also occasionally move objects weighing up to 20 lbs., and sometimes, but rarely, up to 50 lbs.

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health (1111 Fannin, Houston, 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:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• 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 Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School Diploma
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• N/A; No Degree

02

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience of the following areas: 1. Communication and public speaking experience. 2. Experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. 3. Experience with community engagement, and organizing community volunteers. 4. Experience working with faith-based organizations, schools, and non-profits. (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than one (1) year.
• One (1) year or more.
• I do not have this experience.

03

Please provide details about your verifiable experience of the following areas: 1. Communication and public speaking experience. 2. Experience in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. 3. Experience with community engagement, and organizing community volunteer. 4. Experience working with faith-based organizations, schools, and non-profits. DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history) Please include your (a) roles, (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in recruiting and coordinating volunteers. (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than one (1) year.
• One (1) year or more.
• I do not have this experience.

05

Please provide details about your verifiable experience in recruiting and coordinating volunteers. DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history) Please include your (a) roles, (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx