Urban Planner

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County Public Health is seeking an Urban Planner and Public Health Specialist to enhance health outcomes through strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. This full-time role involves project management and collaboration on flood resilience initiatives, aiming to improve community health in Harris County.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of experience in Urban Planning, Flood Resilience, or Health Equity.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize complex information and support health impact assessments.
• Perform qualitative and geo-spatial analysis to develop project recommendations.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders.

Skills

Organized

Problem Solver

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Master’s Degree in Urban Planning

Master’s Degree in Public Health

Tools

ArcGIS

Job description

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 within the Built Environment Unit to assess, create, and lead planning projects aligned with a Health in All Policies approach. The employee will collaborate with project staff and/or contractors to provide project management, budget oversight, stakeholder and community engagement, and communication support to these initiatives. Activities will support strategies aimed at increasing the health and well-being of Harris County residents.

This role's primary responsibility will be to serve as the HCPH representative on the Infrastructure Resilience Team, which includes various county agencies working together on flood resilience and infrastructure-related issues, aiming to develop the county’s first Flood Resilience Plan and promote science-based, equitable solutions to flooding and resilience challenges.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Synthesize complex information, analyze data, and support health impact assessments and rapid needs assessments to support BEU and IRT objectives.
• Perform qualitative and geo-spatial analysis (ArcGIS) to develop project recommendations.
• Identify current issues related to the built environment and flood resilience, and formulate research concepts.
• Develop projects that educate, engage, and train stakeholders and community members to advocate for environmental improvements.
• Analyze social, economic, demographic, and physical data, and prepare reports with recommendations.
• Coordinate with internal teams, external stakeholders, and the public.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including emergency response tasks.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. For accommodations, contact [phone] or email [e-mail].

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Health, or related field.
• Valid driver’s license (TX upon hire).
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in Urban Planning, Flood Resilience, or Health Equity.

Skills & Abilities:

• Organized, detail-oriented, problem solver, capable of meeting deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical literature interpretation and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of community and stakeholder engagement processes and effective outreach strategies.
• Ability to establish collaborative relationships across disciplines.
• Independent organization and management of time-sensitive projects.

Core Competencies:
Organizational Leadership:

• Understanding of organizational mission, ethics, and public trust.

Collaboration:

• Valuing diversity and inclusion, contributing to team success.

Innovation:

• Adaptability to change.

Interpersonal & Personal Characteristics:

• Respectfulness, honesty, ethical behavior, self-awareness, sound judgment, self-motivation, productivity.

Communication:

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

Note: Documentation of education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be on your application. Attach a resume for supporting info, but only information on the application will be considered. Experience with ArcGIS preferred (minimum 1 year).

Position is full-time, Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week, in a professional office environment. Some physical activity required, including lifting up to 20 pounds. Location: 1111 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002. Employment contingent upon background check. Applications may close early due to high volume.