Planner

Travis County•Austin, TX

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Planners perform professional research and planning work in health and human services across County and community projects and initiatives. They work as part of a small, collaborative team, balancing autonomy and self-direction with consultation and feedback. The role supports a range of projects across the Division’s work plan and may focus on data analysis and presentation, data visualization and storytelling, GIS mapping, performance measurement, social service investment planning, contract management, or reporting. Current opportunities will be discussed during the interview process. The Research & Planning Division conducts social service investment planning, research, data analysis, writing, contract oversight and reporting, community planning group support, process facilitation, and presentations to help build an efficient and effective human services delivery system in Travis County. This is the first of three classifications in the Planning and Research job family. Incumbents typically plan, research, and analyze assigned projects and programs. The position may represent the County in community and other settings, work with community representatives and partner organizations, and may serve as a project manager. Work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position is eligible for telework, with in-office work as needed, and the employee must live in or near the Austin, Texas area.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Sociology or other Social Sciences, Public Health, or a directly related field, and four years of increasingly responsible experience in strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research, and program development; OR a relevant master’s degree and two years of increasingly responsible experience in those areas; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Ability to manage time, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
Ability to apply relevant knowledge and skills to reach sound conclusions and make recommendations.
Ability to apply flexibility and initiative to new assignments.
Ability to work autonomously with moderate supervision and seek guidance or consultation when needed.
Ability to work collaboratively with peers and teams.
Ability to represent Travis County professionally in community work.
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with department, County, and community staff.
Ability to communicate and work with diverse stakeholders, including clients, staff, partner agencies, contractors/vendors, elected officials, and the public, and to consider different viewpoints.
Ability to operate a computer and office equipment; knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint is included among the stated computer knowledge.
Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including occasional lifting/carrying of 5–20 pounds, and the physical activities described in the posting.
Must live in or near the Austin, Texas area.
Criminal, driving, education, and employment background checks are required.
A cover letter/personal statement is mandatory and must explain interest in the position, how work, volunteer, and/or life experience would be applied, and interest in public-sector health and human services.

Nice To Haves

Experience with social services or health and human services, including work, volunteer, and/or life experience.
Experience in one or more of data analysis, performance measurement, evaluation, or social service contract management.
Knowledge of human service systems and programs.
Knowledge of governmental agencies and relevant local, state, and federal policies.
Knowledge of community planning principles and primary and secondary research methods.
Knowledge of performance measurement, human service investment systems, and logic models.
Knowledge of population characteristics and community conditions related to health and human services.
Knowledge of databases, statistical packages, GIS, Power BI, and design software.
Knowledge of grammar, punctuation, and writing style for reports and professional communications.
Skill in program planning, development, and implementation; data analysis; contract management and investment system planning; policy research and analysis; report and brief writing; presentations; meeting and group facilitation; project management; and verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

Conduct primary and secondary research.
Perform data mining, analysis, and/or visualization.
Provide technical assistance and consultation in research and data.
Conduct legislative and policy analysis.
Write reports and other documents.
Present information to peers, the public, and/or elected officials.
Participate in collaborative group processes.
Support community and task groups, including development of community plans.
Support strategic planning for the HHS Department, divisions, and programs.
Facilitate meetings and groups.
Support program planning, design, and development.
Conduct process reviews and program evaluations.
Design and conduct surveys and focus groups.
Perform performance measurement.
Provide programmatic and performance oversight of social service contracts.
Manage social service contracts.
Conduct community assessments for investment planning.
Scope, plan, and implement competitive processes for social service investments.
Evaluate proposals and negotiate contracts.
Implement assigned project tasks according to project timelines; may serve as project manager.
Ensure work reflects community planning principles and relevant professional standards.
Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
Represent the County in a range of settings.
Partner with community representatives or groups, departments, and outside agencies.
Use computer applications and management information systems.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.