Executive Staff Analyst (EXE) - Policy Advisor to the Director and/or Chief of Staff

Making sure you fit the guidelines as an applicant for this role is essential, please read the below carefully.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Applications Accepted from : All Persons Interested

PN 34351

Division : Director's Office

Reporting Location : 2100 Travis, Houston, TX 77002

Workdays & Hours : 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday*

Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES / ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) seeks to create a city in which every resident has an affordable home in a community where they can thrive.

Partnering with non-profit, governmental, and local entities, HCDD strives to strengthen Houston’s neighborhoods and provide true housing choice.

To achieve this vision, HCDD is seeking Executive Staff Analyst (EXE) to join its team. This position will serve a dual role as a Policy Advisor to the Director and / or Chief of Staff of the Housing and Community Development Department in matters related to public policy, strategic initiatives, legislative analysis, emerging issues, partnership development, and related special projects / initiatives.

Additionally, this position will be responsible for translating the Director’s vision and decisions into practical, timely, coordinated action by the Department’s Deputy Directors and others on Executive Team.

Highly qualified candidates will have experience working in large, highly regulated, public-facing organizations and a demonstrated commitment to community and public service.

Excellent organizational and both written and oral communications skills is required. Experience working in the affordable housing field may be beneficial but is not required.

Key Responsibilities

Assists the director to navigate and direct inquiries to the appropriate division or subject matter expert within the department and / or connecting the director to appropriate other city department staff, partners, stakeholders, etc.

based on information needed.

• Scans the external environment for emerging issues, trends, best practices, and changes or potential for change, including those related to housing, public policy, social impact, equity, and other issues relevant to the department’s objectives, policies, operations, programs, activities, and / or populations served.
• Performs qualitative, quantitative, or other analyses and associated research; identifying opportunities to shape and influence policy decisions and improve policy advocacy outcomes;

analyzing, interpreting, and providing guidance on complex policy and regulatory issues; and informing short- and long-term policy priorities.

• Produces executive summaries, policy memos, position papers, briefs, reports, proposals, presentations, etc., stemming from environmental scanning or directed analysis with consideration for economic, social, and political implications, as well as operational impacts.
• Anticipates director’s needs and producing briefing materials or otherwise ensuring the director is well prepared for meetings with senior / executive leaders, the public, stakeholders, and external partners and / or accompanying the director at events and appearances, etc.

as needed to capture relevant information and document and track any associated action items or required follow up.

Represents the department and / or promoting departmental objectives in a variety of meetings, committees, task forces, etc.

and keeping the director and senior leadership team informed / up to date on discussion topics of relevance to departmental objectives.

Develops and manages professional relationships; liaising with internal and external stakeholders; facilitating groups discussions;

and effectively communicating with and / or presenting to a variety of audiences.

Collaborates with senior leadership team and subject matter experts in identifying and analyzing complex issues; initiating / managing associated problem resolution and decision-making processes;

and recommending or adopting effective courses of action.

• Manages special projects and / or strategic initiatives from ideation through implementation and other duties as assigned.
• Facilitates strategic management processes out of the Director’s Office to coordinate and organize activity across divisions to achieve programmatic priorities.
• Assists the Director as a thought partner and sounding board, setting clear direction for senior staff on the department’s bold initiatives;

ensuring accountability for high-level outcomes in priority areas; and maximizing available resources, including the Director and senior team’s time.

• Serves as a resource to senior staff by maintaining high-level awareness of activity across all aspects of the Department’s work, identifying points of potential collaboration, flagging potential risks, and removing barriers to achieving goals.
• Manages mission-critical strategic initiatives out of the Director’s Office, as needed.
• Helps manage the appropriate flow of communications and information between the Director and senior staff.
• Represent the Director in meetings, inter-Departmental processes, and external relationships; attend public events on behalf of the Director and the Department.
• Partner with or lead Homelessness Liaison executive and Homelessness Response System.

Essential Attributes

• Adaptable : Ability to achieve success in a changing, ambiguous environment, navigate gray areas to find the path forward, and quickly adjust to frequently shifting priorities.
• Confident : Self-motivated, assertive, and realistically ambitious with strong work ethic and high work standards, with the ability to work from broad goals under limited supervision.
• Critical Thinker : Ability to think strategically and translate / synthesize complex subject matter, with well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High-Performing : Highly functional in a dynamic, challenging environment, with the ability to anticipate and remove obstacles that slow down or prevent delivering on stated objectives.
• Results Oriented : Works with an appropriate sense of urgency, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, manage complex assignments, and deliver timely and quality results under pressure.

This is a grant funded position subject to cancellation when funds are depleted and / or contract period ends.

WORKING CONDITIONS

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions.

There are occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than optimal temperature and air conditions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS :

Requires a Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or field directly related to the type of work being performed.

Graduate degrees related to the type of work to be performed may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS :

Seven years of professional administrative, financial or analytical experience related to non-profit management, homeless assistance, or government policy.

Professional experience related to the type of work to be performed may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

PREFERENCES

Must have excellent written and oral presentations skills.

Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.

GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED

Department may administer skills assessment relevant to job description.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No

If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION

Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

Pay Grade 30

APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during posting opening and closing dates shown.

Applications must be submitted online at : http : / / www.www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting : http : / / agency.governmentjobs.com / houston / default.cfm

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

Equal Employment Opportunity :

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

If you need special services or accommodations, please call 832.393.6090; TTY 7-1-1.

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