Policy Writer

Harris County Sheriff's Office•Houston, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the Policy Manager's general supervision, the Policy Writer performs senior professional-level policy research, analysis, development, and technical writing for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The position develops, reviews, revises, and maintains complex, high-impact agency policies, procedures, and related directives so that they are legally sound, operationally workable, internally consistent, clearly written, and aligned with applicable federal, state, and local law, regulatory and accreditation requirements, Harris County requirements, and Sheriff's Office directives. The Policy Writer serves as a senior technical resource for policy development, independently leading complex or agency-wide policy initiatives, establishing policy-development frameworks and standards, and consulting directly with Legal Counsel, Executive Command, and bureau/division leadership on the most difficult or highest-impact policy questions. The position may guide less experienced policy staff on assigned initiatives; it does not have formal supervisory authority.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Political Science, English, Technical Communication, Journalism, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, or a closely related field
Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in policy research, policy analysis, regulatory analysis, technical writing, legal writing, procedure development, compliance documentation, or comparable professional work, including at least two (2) years of direct responsibility for drafting, substantively revising, or analyzing formal organizational policies, regulations, procedures, standards, or comparable governance documents.
Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire).
Candidates selected for interview will be required to submit a professional writing sample.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Technical Communication, or a related discipline; or Juris Doctor degree.
Professional experience developing policy for a law-enforcement, corrections, criminal-justice, governmental, regulatory, military, healthcare, or similarly regulated organization.
Demonstrated experience researching and interpreting statutes, regulations, administrative rules, case law, or accreditation standards.
Experience developing law-enforcement or detention policies, standard operating procedures, general orders, or comparable operational documents.
Experience conducting policy gap analyses, policy audits, or systematic policy reviews.
Experience working collaboratively with attorneys, executive leadership, and regulatory personnel.

Responsibilities

Directs research, drafting, and revision of complex, high-impact, or agency-wide Sheriff's Office policies, procedures, general orders, and related administrative directives.
Conducts comprehensive research into applicable federal and Texas law, Harris County requirements, HCSO Civil Service Rules, regulatory and accreditation standards (e.g., TCOLE, TCJS, PREA, CALEA), court decisions, and recognized public-safety practices.
Interviews and consults with Executive Command, Legal Counsel, bureau/division leadership, subject-matter experts, and employees to obtain and validate the information needed to develop or revise policy.
Evaluates existing policies for accuracy, clarity, consistency, redundancy, conflicting requirements, outdated provisions, operational feasibility, and compliance risk.
Translates complex legal, regulatory, and operational information into clear, concise, and actionable policy language appropriate for employees at all levels.
Establishes policy-development frameworks, outlines, definitions, responsibilities, and procedural requirements needed to communicate expectations effectively.
Performs policy gap analyses and identifies areas where existing policy does not adequately address current law, regulation, organizational practice, or operational risk.
Conducts policy impact analyses to identify likely effects on operations, staffing, training, technology, labor/employee relations, forms, records, budget, and other affected functions.
Coordinates policy review with Legal Counsel and appropriate stakeholders on proposed or revised policy involving statutory, regulatory, civil-service, employment, constitutional, or other legal considerations.
Facilitates structured stakeholder review of draft policy, evaluates competing input, and prepares revised language or options for management decision.
Identifies unresolved policy issues and presents alternatives, risks, and recommendations to Executive Command for decision.
Prepares executive summaries, briefing documents, policy memoranda, and change summaries for Executive Command and affected personnel.
Maintains documentation of policy research, source authorities, stakeholder input, revisions, and approvals.
Leads systematic review cycles to ensure agency policy remains current and identifies policies requiring revision due to changes in law, regulation, or operations.
Coordinates with affected divisions on implementation of approved policy, including related training, forms, systems, or procedural changes.
Provides professional guidance to other policy staff on policy development, writing standards, documentation, and policy-management practices.
Conducts benchmarking and comparative research into policies and practices of other governmental and public-safety organizations, as appropriate.
Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
Performs other duties within the scope and responsibility of the position as assigned.