External Affairs Manager

Position Description

Position Overview:

The External Affairs Manager reports to and serves as a strategic advisor to the Executive Director of Universal Services and CIO, facilitating the flow of information both to and from executive leadership in County departments, other governmental partners, and interest groups. In this capacity, the External Affairs manager will focus on leveraging local, regional, national, and international collaborations, fostering positive interactions, to further the initiatives of Universal Services.

Job Duties:

• Strategically advise the Executive Director of Universal Services on External Affairs, in the areas of Government Relations, Community Relations and Legislative Relations.
• Work with the Executive Director and the Director of Records and Regulatory Compliance to develop a comprehensive, proactive External Affairs strategy that strengthens relationships, identifies issues of interest and concern, increases understanding of and support for Harris County Universal Services, and advances the mission and goals of the office.
• Establish and strengthen relationships with local, county, regional, state, and federal appointed and elected politicians, government officials and departments, Commissioners Court, and legislative officials and departments.
• Communicates and partners with local, state, and federal governments and organizations such as the National Association of Counties to promote Harris County priorities.
• Robust Engagement – Ensure that Universal Services is providing consistent communication and relevant information to stakeholders, County departments, and offices.
• Communicate County Priorities and Progress Communicates and partners with local, state, and federal governments and organizations such as the National Association of Counties to promote Harris County Universal Services priorities.
  
  
  

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:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  
  
  

Experience:

• Five (5) to eight (8) years of related experience
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skill & Abilities (KSAs):

• Strong sense of urgency and engagement in designing best practice policies for county government.
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, and adept in succinctly conveying complex information
• Exceptional project management skills to manage a range of projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, changing environment, while maintaining strong, positive working relationships
• Extremely detail oriented
• Ability to develop and drive new initiatives, work cross-departmentally, work within multidisciplinary teams, oversee projects to completion, and track results
• Strong collaborative skills and ability to work autonomously with accountability
• Driving interest in developing successful working relationships with government at every level throughout Harris County, the State of Texas, and the United States
• Innovative and creative in developing policy solutions.
  
  
  

Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained, or stored either manually or electronically (i.e., custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years
• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor)
• Family Violence conviction
  
  
  

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.

Preferences

Education:

• Advanced degree preferred
  
  
  

Experience:

• Experience working in the Public Sector
  
  
  

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full Time: 40 Hours per Week | Monday – Friday
• Onsite | Position
• Hybrid Schedule
• May be required to work more than forty (40) hours during the workweek, weekends or 24 hours on-call for special projects or to meet deadlines.
  
  
  

Location:

• 406 Caroline St. Houston, TX 77002
  
  
  

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.