Policy Research Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $47.55 Hourly
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17087
Department: Tax Assessor Collector
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 9/11/2026 11:59 PM Central
Position Description
The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar's Office (HCTO) is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Policy Advisor. Reporting to the Director of Policy and Innovation, the Senior Policy Advisor provides advanced policy research, legislative analysis, and strategic policy initiative support to HCTO's policy function. This position conducts complex policy research, evaluates legislative and operational impacts, develops policy recommendations, and prepares executive-level briefing materials to support the elected official and senior leadership.
The Senior Policy Advisor serves as a key contributor to HCTO's policy initiatives, including legislative analysis, Commissioners Court matters, strategic research, benchmarking, continuous process improvement efforts, and support for continuous process improvement efforts.
About the Tax Assessor-Collector:
HCTO is essential for ensuring the proper administration of tax laws and providing vital services to the community. The office plays a key role in local government, handling various financial, community, and administrative tasks including:

• Property Tax Collection: Assess and collect property taxes for all eligible commercial and residential property owners and entities. Calculate property taxes based on appraised values and ensure collection and distribution to the appropriate entities.
• Motor Vehicle Services: Manage commercial and residential vehicle registration, issue license plates, and handle vehicle title transfers, including the collection of associated fees.
• Voter Registration: Oversee voter registration within the county, issue voter registration certificates, and maintain an accurate voter registration roll.
• Additional Revenue Collection: Collect certain fees, fines, and revenues related to permits or state mandates, depending on the county's needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct complex policy research and analysis functions and support the development of policy frameworks, implementation plans, and recommendations to support strategic priorities.
• Conduct research, benchmarking, comparative analysis, and analyze performance information to identify best practices, emerging trends, operational improvement opportunities and to inform policy recommendations.
• Manage assigned policy projects and coordinate timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop policy memoranda, briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, presentations, and other decision-support materials that provide the elected official and senior leadership with information, analysis, and recommendations on policy matters and potential next steps.
• Provide briefings to the elected official and senior leadership about legislative developments, policy issues, operational impacts, and strategic considerations.
• Analyze proposed legislation affecting HCTO's statutory responsibilities, operations, staffing, funding, and service delivery during and between sessions of the Texas Legislature.
• Utilize data, performance measures, and operational information to support policy analysis and recommendations.
• Collaborate with operational divisions to gather subject matter expertise, operational impacts, and fiscal considerations that inform policy analysis, recommendations, and leadership briefings.
• Collaborate with the County's Intergovernmental & Global Affairs (IGA) Department, through research, analysis, implementation considerations, and strategic recommendations regarding legislative matters affecting HCTO.
• Provide monitoring and analysis of Commissioners Court agendas and actions affecting HCTO and ensure leadership receives timely information regarding potential operational, fiscal, staffing, and policy impacts.
• Partner with the Data Analyst and Finance Analyst, as appropriate, to incorporate data findings into policy analysis, process improvement efforts, recommendations, and executive briefings.
• Conduct comparative analyses of operational performance and service delivery to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide policy support during the annual budget development process, coordinating with Finance and Division Chiefs to understand funding needs, evaluate policy priorities, and assess the organizational impacts of budget decisions.
• Build collaborative relationships across HCTO and with governmental affairs partners to support effective policy analysis and implementation.
• Support legislative and Court tracking systems and reporting processes that provide timely and accurate information to leadership.
• Develop subject matter expertise across HCTO's three primary service areas: Property Tax Collection, Motor Vehicle Services, and Voter Registration.
• All other duties as assigned.

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 in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Experience conducting policy analysis and developing recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience analyzing legislation, regulations, or government policies.
• Experience preparing briefing materials for executive leadership or elected officials.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of public policy analysis, legislative affairs, governmental operations, and strategic planning.
• Understanding of the Texas legislative process and county government.
• Ability to research, analyze, and summarize complex policy issues.
• Ability to synthesize qualitative research, quantitative data, and operational information into strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level memoranda, briefing materials, presentations, and reports.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations and actionable insights.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to conduct benchmarking and comparative research.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive policy matters.

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, Experience & Training:

• Master's Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience monitoring and analyzing legislation during Texas legislative sessions.
• Experience conducting benchmarking and comparative research.
• Experience supporting continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with operational teams to evaluate impacts and develop recommendations.
• Experience using data and performance measures to support policy analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of fundamental property tax concepts, rules, and operations.
• Understanding of fundamental voter registration processes, list maintenance obligations, and the roll of voter registration in the election process.

General Information
Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting subject to frequent interruptions, with extensive work at a computer workstation and site visits to various Tax Offices, Harris County, and community facilities, both outdoors and indoors.
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours and occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions required.

Physical Demands:

• This role is a standard office role that requires remaining stationary for long periods of time. At times, boxes or equipment must be transported weighing up to 30-50 lbs.

Standard Hours:

• 8 am - 5 pm; some evenings and weekends

Location:

• 1001 Preston, Houston, TX 77004

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?Qualifying information must be documented in the Education section of your application.

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02
If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Public Policy
• Public Administration
• Public Affairs
• Political Science
• Other related field
• Unrelated field
• N/A; No degree

03
Please describe your educational background (i.e. diploma, degree, certifications, etc.) including the level of education completed, area of study, and completed major and minor programs.
04
Which of the following best describes your verifiable progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years or more
• I do not have this experience

05
Please provide details about your verifiable progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field..Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume"(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilitiesIf you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
06
Which of the following describes your verifiable experience?Please select all that apply.

• Experience conducting policy analysis and developing recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience analyzing legislation, regulations, or government policies.
• Experience preparing briefing materials for executive leadership or elected officials.
• Experience monitoring and analyzing legislation during Texas legislative sessions.
• Experience conducting benchmarking and comparative research.
• Experience supporting continuous process improvement initiati