Senior Policy Advisor

Harris County • Houston, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar’s Office (HCTO) is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Policy Advisor. Reporting to the Director of Policy and Innovation, the Senior Policy Advisor provides advanced policy research, legislative analysis, and strategic policy initiative support to HCTO’s policy function. This position conducts complex policy research, evaluates legislative and operational impacts, develops policy recommendations, and prepares executive-level briefing materials to support the elected official and senior leadership. The Senior Policy Advisor serves as a key contributor to HCTO’s policy initiatives, including legislative analysis, Commissioners Court matters, strategic research, benchmarking, continuous process improvement efforts, and support for continuous process improvement efforts.

About the Tax Assessor-Collector: HCTO is essential for ensuring the proper administration of tax laws and providing vital services to the community. The office plays a key role in local government, handling various financial, community, and administrative tasks including:
Property Tax Collection: Assess and collect property taxes for all eligible commercial and residential property owners and entities. Calculate property taxes based on appraised values and ensure collection and distribution to the appropriate entities.
Motor Vehicle Services: Manage commercial and residential vehicle registration, issue license plates, and handle vehicle title transfers, including the collection of associated fees.
Voter Registration: Oversee voter registration within the county, issue voter registration certificates, and maintain an accurate voter registration roll.
Additional Revenue Collection: Collect certain fees, fines, and revenues related to permits or state mandates, depending on the county’s needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Experience conducting policy analysis and developing recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience analyzing legislation, regulations, or government policies.
• Experience preparing briefing materials for executive leadership or elected officials.
• Knowledge of public policy analysis, legislative affairs, governmental operations, and strategic planning.
• Understanding of the Texas legislative process and county government.
• Ability to research, analyze, and summarize complex policy issues.
• Ability to synthesize qualitative research, quantitative data, and operational information into strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level memoranda, briefing materials, presentations, and reports.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations and actionable insights.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to conduct benchmarking and comparative research.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive policy matters.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience monitoring and analyzing legislation during Texas legislative sessions.
• Experience conducting benchmarking and comparative research.
• Experience supporting continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with operational teams to evaluate impacts and develop recommendations.
• Experience using data and performance measures to support policy analysis.
• Understanding of fundamental property tax concepts, rules, and operations.
• Understanding of fundamental voter registration processes, list maintenance obligations, and the role of voter registration in the election process.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex policy research and analysis functions and support the development of policy frameworks, implementation plans, and recommendations to support strategic priorities.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, comparative analysis, and analyze performance information to identify best practices, emerging trends, operational improvement opportunities and to inform policy recommendations.
• Manage assigned policy projects and coordinate timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop policy memoranda, briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, presentations, and other decision-support materials that provide the elected official and senior leadership with information, analysis, and recommendations on policy matters and potential next steps.
• Provide briefings to the elected official and senior leadership about legislative developments, policy issues, operational impacts, and strategic considerations.
• Analyze proposed legislation affecting HCTO’s statutory responsibilities, operations, staffing, funding, and service delivery during and between sessions of the Texas Legislature.
• Utilize data, performance measures, and operational information to support policy analysis and recommendations.
• Collaborate with operational divisions to gather subject matter expertise, operational impacts, and fiscal considerations that inform policy analysis, recommendations, and leadership briefings.
• Collaborate with the County’s Intergovernmental & Global Affairs (IGA) Department, through research, analysis, implementation considerations, and strategic recommendations regarding legislative matters affecting HCTO.
• Provide monitoring and analysis of Commissioners Court agendas and actions affecting HCTO and ensure leadership receives timely information regarding potential operational, fiscal, staffing, and policy impacts.
• Partner with the Data Analyst and Finance Analyst, as appropriate, to incorporate data findings into policy analysis, process improvement efforts, recommendations, and executive briefings.
• Conduct comparative analyses of operational performance and service delivery to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide policy support during the annual budget development process, coordinating with Finance and Division Chiefs to understand funding needs, evaluate policy priorities, and assess the organizational impacts of budget decisions.
• Build collaborative relationships across HCTO and with governmental affairs partners to support effective policy analysis and implementation.
• Support legislative and Court tracking systems and reporting processes that provide timely and accurate information to leadership.
• Develop subject matter expertise across HCTO’s three primary service areas: Property Tax Collection, Motor Vehicle Services, and Voter Registration.
• All other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior