Planner

Position Description

About Harris County Community Services Department:

This office is focused on addressing the housing, infrastructure and public service needs of the low to moderate-income community in Harris County. This is accomplished through a process of securing and managing grants from the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and partnerships with other government and non-profit agencies, resulting in a variety of programs, projects, and services.

Planner Overview:

Under moderate supervision, the Planner will assist with the planning and development of the Community Services Department (CSD) initiatives. Individuals in this role will be responsible for various tasks relating to community planning, stakeholder engagement, research, statistical analysis, NEPA environmental reviews, and administrative support. The Planner requires knowledge and understanding of community planning and development, along with excellent analytical, communication, organization, and time management skills.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Planning & Development: Supports the development of the HUD Consolidated Plan, CAPER, Community Plans, and Fair Housing and Equity Plans. In addition, assists with strategic planning and coordinating outreach and public engagement initiatives.

• Environmental Assessments: Conducts Environmental reviews for CDBG, ESG, and HOME-funded projects.

• Research & Analysis: Conducts research by analyzing survey data and special studies as assigned.

• Reporting & Mapping: Compiles statistical and demographic data to develop reports and maps using ESRI GIS.

• Communication: Responds to requests for information from other agency staff, organizations, public officials, and the general public.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers, developers, engineers, other government entities, and members of the public.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• This Job Description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position.

• Management may, at its discretion, assign, or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

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/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Urban Planning, Urban Studies, Geography, Public Administration, or a related field and three (3) years of full-time paid experience in community planning, community development, or a directly related field.

OR

• Associate's Degree in a directly related field and five (5) years of full-time paid experience in community planning, community development, or a directly related field.

OR

• High School Diploma or equivalent and seven (7) years of full-time paid experience in community planning, community development, or a directly related field.

Licensure:

• Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire)

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Understanding of the fundamental principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion and the roles they play in community planning.

• Understanding of the federal and state regulations, including but not limited to community planning/development (e.g., Consolidated Plan) and NEPA/HUD Part 58 Environmental Review.

• Demonstrated knowledge of core planning principles, US census data, research, surveys, and fundamental statistics.

• Familiarity with ESRI GIS software products (e.g., ArcMap Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online).

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to gather, analyze, synthesize, and present data and factual materials in executive-level reports, either individually, as a team member, or as project lead in an area of personal expertise with minimum 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.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Full-Time | Grant-funded

• Monday

• Friday | 8 a.m.

• 5 p.m. (weekends if necessary)

Work Environment:

• The work is primarily sedentary with occasional required travel to training events or meetings.

• The job is performed in a professional office environment.

• No special safety precautions are required.

Physical Demands:

• Sedentary work

• Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

• Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

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.

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:

https://benefitsathctx.com/

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

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 full-time paid experience in community planning, community development, or a directly related field? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than three (3) years

• Three (3) years but less than five (5) years

• Five (5) years but less than seven (7) years

• Seven (7) years or more

• I do not have this experience

04

Please provide details about your verifiable full-time paid experience in community planning, community development, or a directly related field. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.

05

Do you have a familiarity with ESRI GIS software products (e.g., ArcMap Desktop, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online)?

• Yes

• No

06

This role requires a Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Driver's License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Driver's License

• Yes, I have a Valid Driver's License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Driver's License prior to start date

• No, I'm not interested

Required Question

Agency Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

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