Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 13300
Department: Commissioner Precinct 4
Opening Date: 08/02/2024
Closing Date: 8/31/2024 11:59 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 300
Position Description
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.
What you will do for Harris County Precinct 4 (HCP4)
If you're looking for an opportunity to shape the future of western Harris County across urban, suburban, and rural communities then this might be the right opportunity for you. The Infrastructure Division is seeking a highly motivated professional interested in working in a collaborative and dynamic work environment with abundant opportunities to learn and contribute to various planning and development initiatives in the county's westernmost precinct.
The Senior Planner position offers an opportunity to be at the forefront of planning for some of the fastest growing communities in Harris County. The position will be responsible for managing planning and implementation initiatives, such as park master plans, corridor studies, subarea plans, grant writing, project development and other capital planning. This role reports to the Assistant Director of Planning & Community Development.
A successful candidate will have a demonstrated history of managing high-pressure and fast-paced initiatives related to planning project management, program development, implementation, and understanding of project development processes for infrastructure.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.
- Collaboratively manage the development of capital and community planning efforts with Precinct 4 staff, Harris County staff, other government agencies, and the public. This includes working internally to ensure all Harris County requirements are met and working with Harris County Engineering Department to properly manage and direct consultant work. (60%)
- Lead the Precinct's Places 4 People Initiative, the Precinct's signature partnership program, including analysis of submissions, development of interlocal agreements, and securing buy-in from Precinct 4 Divisions. (15%)
- Support the development of grant submittals led by the Precinct 4 grants team. (10%)
- Support the development of the Precinct's 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). (5%)
- Draft scopes of work for community planning and/or implementation efforts that promote equity, sustainability, and resilience. (5%)
- Attend and support Precinct 4 events related to community planning (5%)
- Other duties: Performs all other duties as assigned.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email
Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Geography, Public Policy, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or a related field of study from an accredited college or university.
Experience:
- Three (3) years of experience in urban/regional planning, with a proven track record in infrastructure planning.
Licensure:
- Credential by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) or ability to secure within one year of hire.
- Texas driver's license and a good driving record
Additional Requirements:
- Please upload a one-page cover letter and one-page resume as combined PDF's in the submission portal. Please use "Senior Planner Application - Last and First Initial" in the subject line.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of applicable local ordinances and state and federal statutes related to urban development.
- Knowledge of state and federal grant programs related to infrastructure, transportation, and community development.
- Proficiency in working with sociodemographic data and using ArcGIS Pro or ArcMap.
- Ability to work in Adobe Creative Suite and adhere to best practices in visual communications.
- Effective written and oral communication skills with the ability to organize, synthesize, and analyze information to prepare recommendations.
- Ability to utilize data analysis and data visualization systems to create databases and summarize data analyses.
- Ability to use basic to intermediate features of Microsoft Office Suite, primarily MS Excel and MS Word.
- Knowledge of planning theories, principles, practices, research methodologies, and policy analysis related to transportation, housing, parks and greenspace, economic development, land use, water resources/conservation, urban resilience, regional science, and/or land development planning.
- Focus on embracing diversity and engaging with marginalized communities and individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs, incorporating them into the planning process.
- Ability to contribute to a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently in a fast-paced role, including identifying important tasks and allocating time effectively with minimal supervision.
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
Education:
- Master's degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Geography, Public Policy, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, or a related field of study from an accredited college or university. (preferred)
Experience:
- Five (5) years of professional experience in project management of urban/regional planning efforts with demonstrated aptitude in preparation of capital projects, comprehensive and subarea plans, grant applications, financial analysis, project prioritization, and cost/benefit studies to support capital investments and budgeting processes. (preferred)
- Three (3) years of increasing responsibility supporting junior staff and leader with a track record of empowering a work environment conducive to positive morale, professionalism, creativity, and teamwork. The employee will prioritize empathy, humility and patience while remaining open to new ideas and a range of perspectives. (preferred)
- Experience managing consultants, budgeting, project tasks, data collection, meetings and communications, and instructing junior level staff. (preferred)
- Experience drafting scopes of work for professional services and coordinating the procurement process and contracts, including deliverable review and invoices. (preferred)
- Experience drafting project reports, staff reports, technical memorandums, grant applications, and communications for presentations within the organization or with community groups. (preferred)
Licensure:
- Credential by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), Professional Engineer (PE) or Professional Landscape Architect (PLA)
General Information
Position Type, Salary and Typical Hours of Work:
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- This position requires a significant amount of time outdoors and exposure to a variety of environmental and extreme weather conditions. This position also requires traveling to parks located throughout the precinct and at long distances. The ability to work outdoors during all seasons and to drive safely is essential. The ability to operate standard office equipment and software platforms is required.
- Essential functions involve significant physical demands related to repeated lifting of up to 50 pounds unassisted, 100 pounds with assistance rarely; carrying tools, materials, and equipment over rough terrain; climbing, reaching, and bending. Frequently to walk, sit, talk, drive, hear, bend, stoop, twist, and balance.
What You Will Get in Return:
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.
Featured Benefits:
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.
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.
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
- Accrual rates increase based on years of service
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
- Professional development opportunities
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
- Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
- Flexible schedule (varies by department)
- Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
- High School or GED diploma
- Associate Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or higher
- None of the above
02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?
- Urban/Regional Planning
- Geography
- Public Policy
- Civil Engineering
- Landscape Architecture
- Other Related Field
- Unrelated Field
- N/A; No Degree
03
Which of the following best describes your verifiable years of experience in urban/regional planning, with a proven track record in infrastructure planning?(Note: To be eligible for consideration, relevant experience should be clearly outlined in the employment history section of your application.)
- Less than three (3) years
- Three (3) years or more but less than four (4) years
- Four (4) years or more but less than five (5) years
- Five (5) years or more
- I do not have this experience
04
Which of the following best describes your verifiable professional experience in project management of urban/regional planning efforts with demonstrated aptitude in preparation of capital projects, comprehensive and subarea plans, grant applications, financial analysis, project prioritization, and cost/benefit studies to support capital investments and budgeting processes?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
- Less than five (5) years
- Five (5) years or more but less than six (6) years
- Six (6) years or more but less than seven (7) years
- Seven (7) years or more
- I do not have this experience
05
Which of the following best describes your increasing responsibility supporting junior staff and leader with a track record of empowering a work environment conducive to positive morale, professionalism, creativity, and teamwork. The Manager will prioritize empathy, humility and patience while remaining open to new ideas and a range of perspectives?(Note: To be eligible for consideration, relevant experience should be clearly outlined in the employment history section of your application.)
- Less than three (3) years
- Three (3) years or more but less than four (4) years
- Four (4) years or more but less than five (5) years
- Five (5) years or more
- I do not have this experience
06
Which of the following do you have working knowledge of and/or experience with?(Select all that apply.)
- Experience managing consultants, budgeting, project tasks, data collection, meetings and communications, and instructing junior level staff.
- Experience drafting scopes of work for professional services and coordinating the procurement process and contracts, including deliverable review and invoices.
- Experience drafting project reports, staff reports, technical memorandums, grant applications, and communications for presentations within the organization or with community groups.
- None of the above
07
This position requires the applicant to upload a one-page cover letter and one-page resume as combined PDF's along with their application. Please use "Senior Planner Application - Last and First Initial" in the subject line (i.e., Senior Planner Application - DoeJ)Failure to attach them may result in disqualification.
- Yes, I have attached the required one-page cover letter and one-page resume as a combined PDF and used the specified format in the subject line.
- No, I have not attached the required documents and understand that this could result in disqualification from the hiring process.
08
For this position, a valid Texas Driver's License is required. Please choose the option that best describes your situation:
- Yes, I currently hold a valid Texas Driver's License.
- Yes, I possess a valid Out-of-State Driver's License, but I am aware that I must acquire a valid Texas Driver's License before the start date.
- No, I do not currently have a driver's license, but I commit to obtaining one before the start date.
- No, I do not currently have a valid driver's license.
09
Which of the following professional licensure/certification do you currently hold?(Select all that apply.)
- Credential by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
- Professional Engineer (PE)
- Professional Landscape Architect (PLA)
- I do not currently hold a credential from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) but have the ability to secure it within one year of hire.
- None of the above
10
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions:Advanced:A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Intermediate:A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons.Basic:A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it.Entry Level:A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.
- Advanced
- Intermediate
- Basic
- Entry Level
- Not proficient
Required Question