Position Overview:

As a member of the County Judge’s policy team, the Deputy Policy Director will work with the Policy Director, Policy Advisors, and other staff members to develop and implement the County Judge’s policy agenda, liaise with experts from across the country in the issue areas of importance to the office, and use evidence and research to inform the direction of the Judge’s actions and advocacy. The Deputy Policy Director will primarily support the Policy Director in managing and reviewing the work of policy team members, who are responsible for leading discrete policy initiatives and projects from ideation to fruition on various issues such as flood control, climate resilience, criminal justice reform, mental health, affordable housing, and early childhood development.

Harris County is the third largest and most diverse county in the nation, with a population of more than 4.7 million, rivaling the size of the entire state of Louisiana. Judge Hidalgo functions as the CEO of Harris County and presides over the Harris County Commissioners Court, the County's governing body. Along with four County Commissioners, the County Judge directs a budget of more than $4 billion providing essential services such as justice administration, flood control, infrastructure, and housing. Judge Hidalgo also serves as Harris County’s Director of Emergency Management.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage Policy Advisors, Policy Analysts, and Policy Fellows who provide research and analytical support for various policy initiatives and priorities.
• Support the Policy Advisors’ efforts to develop positions, proposals, strategies, and policy details and drive initiatives from ideation to implementation.
• Serve as the lead policy-team staff member on certain policy issues or areas, as needed, under the direction of Senior Leadership.
• Finalize and often present policy memos and other documents to keep Judge Hidalgo and Senior Leadership informed of activities and initiatives and support Judge Hidalgo’s decision-making process.
• Advise Judge Hidalgo and Senior Leadership on departmental and precinct-level requests that come before Commissioners Court, including bi-monthly agenda items and semi-annual operating budget and Capital Improvement Plan proposals.
• Work with the policy team to develop Judge Hidalgo’s positions on pressing policy and legislative matters, and to define short- and long-term policy priorities for the office.
• Work with the communications team and external affairs team to inform and engage the public on policy positions and initiatives.
• Oversee the implementation of key county-wide initiatives and programs by working with precinct leadership and staff, department directors, and department staff.

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.