Policy Director

Harris County Texas

Houston, TX

JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Budgeting, Coaching, Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan, Employee Benefits, Financial Compliance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Government, Grant Writing, Health Plan, Healthcare, Identify Issues, Insurance, Leadership, Life Insurance, Maintain Compliance, Multitasking, Policy Development, Policy Implementation, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Project Tracking, Project/Program Coordination, Proposal Development, Public Affairs, Public Policy, Regulations, Service Delivery, Software Administration, Sustainability, Team Lead/Manager, Team Player, Time Management, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Houston, TX
POSTED
26 days ago

Policy Director

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

16759

Department

Commissioner Precinct 4

Opening Date

05/28/2026

Closing Date

6/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

100

  • Description
  • Benefits
  • Questions

Position Description

Position Description:

Harris County Precinct 4's Policy Director advances Precinct 4's policy and innovation agenda by directing the development and implementation of County policy under the leadership of the Chief Policy and Innovation Officer. The Director of Policy will be responsible for managing the policy team as well as liaising with national experts, local stakeholders, and other County departments and agencies to inform the Commissioner's agenda and develop innovative and sustainable solutions to local needs across all policy areas.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Build and manage the Policy Team in consultation with the Chief Policy and Innovation Officer

  • Manage the policy portfolio, including developing positions, proposals, and strategy to advance opportunity and justice for Harris County residents in all policy areas, including justice & safety, infrastructure & sustainability, health & opportunity, and good government.

  • Lead on policy projects including countywide policies, county budget, Precinct 4 programs, support for Harris County boards and commissions, and select events. Track project milestones and assign/delegate/review tasks to other team members as relevant

  • Collaborate with key stakeholders and community leaders on public policy development

  • Develop and maintain relationships with County departments and agencies, research institutions, government offices, and others

  • Submit Precinct 4 items for inclusion on the Commissioners Court agenda

  • Review and as needed, write memos for Commissioner on relevant Court items

  • Track, assign, and lead briefings on Commissioners Court agenda items

  • Support the Commissioner of Precinct 4 at Commissioners' Court

  • Closely collaborate across Precinct 4 divisions, including Public Affairs, Infrastructure, and Operations to execute Precinct 4 and countywide policies and Precinct 4 projects. Coordinate with Compliance and Finance as needed.

  • Staff Commissioner or represent her at Precinct 4 events and meetings. Request meetings and coordinate with other Precinct 4 teams to ensure that they are scheduled, all relevant individuals are invited, memos are submitted in advance (as needed), notes are taken, and follow-up emails are sent (as needed).

  • Provide policy support for grant applications and innovative programs

  • Other duties may be assigned as necessary.

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

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to be considered.

Education:

  • Bachelor's degree; graduate degree in a related field preferred.

Experience:

  • Minimum of five (5) years of experience working in or with government departments or agencies.

  • Experience managing multiple competing priorities, projects, and deadlines.

Additional Requirements:

  • This role may, from time to time, require work outside standard business hours, including evenings or weekends.

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Experience coaching policy advisors to prepare written and verbal briefs.

  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including for concise descriptions of complex issues.

  • Ability to collaborate with thought leaders across a variety of disciplines.

  • Strong sense of urgency about the work for the constituents of Precinct 4.

  • Ability to work effectively in a team or autonomously with accountability.

  • Dynamic leadership style that invites partnership, builds trust, and motivates others.

  • Ability to assess problems and identify solutions in a proactive and collaborative manner.

General Information

WORKING AT HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4:

You will be surrounded by team members who bring "heart, hustle, and higher standards" to work each day. These leaders advance opportunity and justice as they deliver services to and advocate for the residents of Harris County. The team you will be joining is innovative, dynamic, and forward-looking.

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.

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? Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelors Degree
  • Masters Degree or higher
  • None of the above

02

Please describe your educational background including level of education completed, area of study and completed major and minor programs.

03

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience working in or with government departments or agencies? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

  • Less than five (5) years
  • Five (5) years but less than six (6) years
  • Six (6) years but less than seven (7) years
  • Seven (7) years or more
  • I do not have this experience

04

Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained experience working in or with government departments or agencies. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience [ Example: "January 2020 - December 2025" ] If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A" 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

About the Company

H

Harris County Texas