Harris County
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.
Position Overview Harris County Public Health (HCPH), jointly with Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is seeking to hire an Urban Planner and Public Health Specialist. Under the direction of the Built Environment Program Manager of the Environmental Public Health Division, the Urban Planner will work under the Built Environment Unit to assess, create, and lead planning projects to achieve a Health in All Policies approach. The employee will work with project staff and/or contractors to provide project management, budget management, stakeholder and community engagement, and communication support for these projects. Activities will support implementation strategies that increase the health and well‑being of Harris County residents.
This position’s major responsibility will be to serve as the HCPH representative on the Infrastructure Resilience Team (IRT). Harris County formed an IRT led by HCFCD and including the Office of the County Engineer, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Harris County Housing and Community Services Department, and Harris County Public Health. The team develops flood‑resilience plans, engages the public, and encourages science‑based solutions to flood and infrastructure challenges, aiming to enhance the region’s overall disaster resilience.
Duties and Responsibilities
Synthesize complex and diverse information; collect and objectively weigh data; use experience, intuition, and critical thinking to complement data; and support health impact assessments, rapid needs assessments or other programs and tools necessary to support the BEU and IRT objectives.
Perform qualitative and geo‑spatial analysis (ArcGIS) to support the development of project recommendations.
Identify and track current issues related to the built environment and flood resilience and mitigation and formulate concepts for new or expanded areas of research.
Develop projects including educating, engaging, and/or training multi‑sectoral stakeholders and community members to envision and advocate for environmental improvements in Harris County neighborhoods.
Analyze and utilize social, economic, demographic and physical data and make recommendations for reports.
Coordinate with internal colleagues, external stakeholders and the general public.
Assume additional duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
Background Check 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
Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Health, or related field.
Experience
Minimum three (3) years experience in the field of Urban Planning, Flood Resilience, or Health Equity.
Licensure
Must have a current and valid driver’s license (TX upon hire).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Organized, detail oriented, problem solver, meets deadlines in a multi‑tasked environment; exceptional customer service skills; high accuracy and quality of work; strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent communication skills – ability to assemble, summarize and interpret pertinent technical literature, prepare and present oral and written presentations.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Thorough understanding of effective community and stakeholder engagement processes and tools.
Knowledgeable about effective communication and outreach strategies.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with persons and groups across disciplines.
Ability to organize and work independently on time‑sensitive projects.
Core Competencies
Organizational Leadership – understands the organizational mission; understands ethics and public good; concerned with public trust.
Collaboration – contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued; demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group; collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
Innovation – ability to adapt to change.
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics – treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect; behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner; assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; uses sound judgment; self‑motivated; organizes and maintains work environment to allow maximum productivity.
Communication – communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
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
Minimum 1 (one) year experience with ArcGIS preferred.
General Information Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work
This is a full‑time position, Monday‑Friday, 40 hours per week.
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.
Physical Demands This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending and standing for periods at a time.
Work Location
Harris County Public Health: Environmental Public Health - 1111 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002
Additional Information 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.
Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr
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.
Position Overview Harris County Public Health (HCPH), jointly with Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is seeking to hire an Urban Planner and Public Health Specialist. Under the direction of the Built Environment Program Manager of the Environmental Public Health Division, the Urban Planner will work under the Built Environment Unit to assess, create, and lead planning projects to achieve a Health in All Policies approach. The employee will work with project staff and/or contractors to provide project management, budget management, stakeholder and community engagement, and communication support for these projects. Activities will support implementation strategies that increase the health and well‑being of Harris County residents.
This position’s major responsibility will be to serve as the HCPH representative on the Infrastructure Resilience Team (IRT). Harris County formed an IRT led by HCFCD and including the Office of the County Engineer, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Harris County Housing and Community Services Department, and Harris County Public Health. The team develops flood‑resilience plans, engages the public, and encourages science‑based solutions to flood and infrastructure challenges, aiming to enhance the region’s overall disaster resilience.
Duties and Responsibilities
Synthesize complex and diverse information; collect and objectively weigh data; use experience, intuition, and critical thinking to complement data; and support health impact assessments, rapid needs assessments or other programs and tools necessary to support the BEU and IRT objectives.
Perform qualitative and geo‑spatial analysis (ArcGIS) to support the development of project recommendations.
Identify and track current issues related to the built environment and flood resilience and mitigation and formulate concepts for new or expanded areas of research.
Develop projects including educating, engaging, and/or training multi‑sectoral stakeholders and community members to envision and advocate for environmental improvements in Harris County neighborhoods.
Analyze and utilize social, economic, demographic and physical data and make recommendations for reports.
Coordinate with internal colleagues, external stakeholders and the general public.
Assume additional duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
Background Check 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
Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Health, or related field.
Experience
Minimum three (3) years experience in the field of Urban Planning, Flood Resilience, or Health Equity.
Licensure
Must have a current and valid driver’s license (TX upon hire).
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Organized, detail oriented, problem solver, meets deadlines in a multi‑tasked environment; exceptional customer service skills; high accuracy and quality of work; strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent communication skills – ability to assemble, summarize and interpret pertinent technical literature, prepare and present oral and written presentations.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Thorough understanding of effective community and stakeholder engagement processes and tools.
Knowledgeable about effective communication and outreach strategies.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with persons and groups across disciplines.
Ability to organize and work independently on time‑sensitive projects.
Core Competencies
Organizational Leadership – understands the organizational mission; understands ethics and public good; concerned with public trust.
Collaboration – contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued; demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group; collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
Innovation – ability to adapt to change.
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics – treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect; behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner; assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses; uses sound judgment; self‑motivated; organizes and maintains work environment to allow maximum productivity.
Communication – communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
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
Minimum 1 (one) year experience with ArcGIS preferred.
General Information Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work
This is a full‑time position, Monday‑Friday, 40 hours per week.
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.
Physical Demands This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending and standing for periods at a time.
Work Location
Harris County Public Health: Environmental Public Health - 1111 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002
Additional Information 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.
Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Other
Government Administration
#J-18808-Ljbffr