Urban Planner

Harris County (TX)•Houston, TX

63d•Onsite

About The Position

If you're looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health. About Harris County Public Health: Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant. Position Overview: Harris County Public Health (HCPH), jointly with Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) is seeking to hire an Urban Planner and Public Health Specialist. Under the direction of the Built Environment Program Manager of the Environmental Public Health Division, the Urban Planner will work under the Built Environment Unit to assess, create, and lead planning projects to achieve a Health in All Policies approach. The employee will work with project staff and/or contractors to provide project management, budget management, stakeholder and community engagement, and communication support for these projects. Activities will support implementation strategies that increase the health and well-being of Harris County residents. This position's major responsibility will be to serve as the HCPH representative on the Infrastructure Resilience Team. Harris County formed an Infrastructure Resilience Team (IRT) led by HCFCD and including the Office of the County Engineer, the Harris County Toll Road Authority, the Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Harris County Housing and Community Services Department, and Harris County Public Health. Tasked with developing the first "Flood Resilience Plan," the team serves the County by delivering accurate and quality information, engaging the public in activities that promote fair, fast, equitable, and smart solutions, and encouraging science-based solutions to flooding and other flood- and infrastructure-related resilience issues with an overarching aim of increasing the region's overall resilience to disasters. The IRT relies on representatives from these six (6) agencies to support this innovative effort.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Public Health, or related field.
Minimum three (3) years experience in the field of Urban Planning, Flood Resilience, or Health Equity.
Must have a current and valid driver's license (TX upon hire).
Must be organized, detail oriented, a problem solver, and meet deadlines in a multi-tasked and dynamic environment, exceptional in customer service skills, above average in accuracy and quality of work and able to demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
Must have excellent communication skills-the ability to assemble, summarize and interpret pertinent technical literature, prepare and present oral and written presentations.
Must have strong oral and written communication skills.
Must have thorough understanding of effective community and stakeholder engagement processes and tools.
Must be knowledgeable about effective communication and outreach strategies.
Must have skills in establishing and maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with persons and groups across a variety of disciplines.
Must have the ability to organize and work independently on time-sensitive projects.

Nice To Haves

Minimum 1 (one) year experience with ArcGIS preferred.

Responsibilities

Synthesize complex and diverse information; collect and objectively weigh data; use experience, intuition, and critical thinking to complement data; and support health impact assessments, rapid needs assessments or other programs and tools necessary to support the BEU and IRT objectives.
Perform qualitative and geo-spatial analysis (ArcGIS) to support the development of project recommendations.
Identify and track current issues related to the built environment and flood resilience and mitigation and formulate concepts for new or expanded areas of research.
Project development that will include educating, engaging, and/or training multi-sectoral stakeholders and community members to envision and advocate for environmental improvements in Harris County neighborhoods.
Analyzes and utilizes social, economic, demographic and physical data and makes recommendations for reports.
Coordinate with internal colleagues, external stakeholders and the general public.
Responsibilities include other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.

Benefits

Medical Coverage
Dental Coverage
Vision Coverage
Wellness Plan
Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
One (1) floating holiday per year
Paid Parental Leave
Sick Leave
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
Professional learning & development opportunities
Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
Flexible work schedule
METRO RideSponsor Program