Job Description
Job Summary Looking for a career that truly makes a difference while also offering exceptional benefits and work-life balance? Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS) serves the community under the guidance of the Commissioners Court. We address community needs through internal and external investments and services. We strive to maximize quality of life for all people in Travis County by protecting vulnerable populations, investing in social and economic well-being, building a shared understanding of our community, and promoting healthy physical, behavioral and environmental living. TC-HHS is looking for a full-time Planner and be part of a mission-driven team that shows up every day for our community. This role offers outstanding benefits, including hybrid work opportunities, generous paid vacation and sick leave, comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance, access to a free health clinic for you and your dependents, a robust retirement plan, and much more. HHS Planners perform professional research and planning work in the field of health and human services across a variety of County and community projects and initiatives. Work occurs as part of a small, collaborative team. The work environment involves both autonomy and teamwork and requires planners to balance individual initiative and self-direction with feedback-rich and consultative practices. Planners are supported in their learning, applying and enhancing skills through the work, and are provided and encouraged to seek opportunities for formal training and professional development. Planners typically have a generalist skill set and support projects across the Division's work plan covering a range of issue areas and populations. This position may be involved in or have a focus on some of the following: investment planning, contract management, youth services, and/or other social service issue area(s), data analysis, and/or performance measurement and reporting. Current opportunities in the Division's work plan will be discussed during the interview process. The Division's work includes social service investment planning; contract oversight and reporting; community planning group support and process facilitation; and research, data analysis, writing, and presentation towards the goal of building an efficient and effective service delivery system for human services in Travis County. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the first in a series of three planner-related job classifications within the Planning and Research job family. This classification is distinguished by incumbents that typically have responsibility for performing planning, researching and analyzing for assigned projects and programs. Duties and Responsibilities The Research & Planning division covers the following tasks and projects. Individual workloads vary and will have some mix of the following duties and responsibilities. Primary and secondary research Data mining, analysis, and/or visualization Technical assistance and consultation in research and data Legislative and policy analysis Writing reports and other documents Presentation before peers, the public, and/or elected officials Participation in collaborative group processes Planning support for community and task groups including supporting the development of community plans Strategic planning support for the HHS department, divisions, and programs Facilitation of meetings and groups Program planning, design, and development Process reviews and program evaluations Design and conduct surveys and focus groups Performance measurement Programmatic and performance oversight of social service contracts Social services contract management Investment planning: community assessment Investment planning: scoping, planning, and implementing competitive processes for social services investments Investment planning: evaluating proposals and negotiating contracts Implement tasks for assigned projects according to project timelines. May serve as project manager Ensure work reflects community planning principles and other relevant professional standards Interpret and apply policies and procedures and applicable Federal, State, and Local laws, codes, rules, and regulations Represent the County in a range of settings Work in partnership with community representatives or groups, departments, and outside agencies Use computer applications and management information systems Performs other job-related duties as assigned Minimum Requirements Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Planning, Geography, Public Policy/Administration, Governm