Public Policy Manager Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $2,916.00 - $3,654.00 Biweekly
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Executive Level
Job Number: 38908
Department: Houston Public Works
Opening Date: 05/22/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
POSITION OVERVIEW
APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
DIVISION: DIRECTOR'S OFFICE
REPORTING LOCATION: 611 WALKER, HOUSTON, TX 77002
WORKDAYS & HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00AM - 5:00PM* Some after hours and weekends
*Subject to change
ABOUT HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKSHouston Public Works (HPW) plays a vital role in ensuring a thriving and sustainable future for our city. We oversee the planning, operation, maintenance, construction management, and technical engineering of the City's public infrastructure, including our roadways, bridges, drainage systems, and parks. With a dedicated workforce of approximately 3,900 employees, we are constantly striving for excellence in delivering essential services to our community.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The City of Houston Public Works Department is seeking a highly motivated and proactive Staff Analyst (Executive Level) to provide direct support to the Director of Public Works. This role offers opportunities for professional development in municipal government, including exposure to executive-level decision-making, policy development, departmental strategy, and public sector operations.
The Staff Analyst will work closely with the Director, attending meetings and briefings to capture and summarize discussions, identifying key issues and action items, and coordinating follow-up across the organization. This role requires a proactive, self-directed professional who can manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment and effectively collaborate with executive leadership.
This position offers a unique mentorship opportunity to learn directly from the Director and C-Suite leadership while gaining hands-on experience in public sector management. The Staff Analyst regularly interacts with Public Works executive leadership, managers, staff, external stakeholders, members of the public and occasionally elected officials.
This role provides direct exposure to operations of a large municipal department and the chance to develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance in public sector leadership. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Attending meetings, briefings, and operational discussions with the Director, recording discussions, decisions, and action items for follow-up.
• Tracking, prioritizing, and coordinating follow-up on assignments to ensure timely completion and alignment with departmental priorities.
• Conducting research and analyzing operational, administrative, and policy-related matters; compiling findings and preparing recommendations for the Director's consideration.
• Preparing briefing materials, reports, correspondence, and presentations for executive-level review.
• Supporting special projects and departmental initiatives, taking initiative to ensure progress and completion.
• Coordinating with Public Works leadership, staff, and external stakeholders to gather information and support implementation of departmental priorities.
• Maintaining awareness of ongoing initiatives, emerging issues, and policy developments relevant to the Director's priorities.
• Handling sensitive and confidential information with discretion, in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Exercising professional judgment, effective communication, and discretion when interacting with internal and external stakeholders on matters impacting the department.

WORKING CONDITIONS
Requires flexibility for early mornings, evenings, and occasional weekends as needed to support the Director and departmental priorities.
Work is performed primarily in a professional office environment with frequent exposure to executive-level discussions and decision-making.
May involve travel between City facilities or to external meetings.
This is a Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier I Level
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or a field directly related to the type of work being performed.
Substitution: Graduate degrees related to the type of work to be performed may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.
EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Three years of professional administrative, financial or analytical experience related to the type of work being performed are required.
Professional experience related to the type of work to be performed may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Valid driver's license and compliance with the City of Houston driving policy (A.P. 2-2).
PREFERENCES

• Graduate degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Business Administration, Law or a related field.
• Demonstrated interest in public policy, municipal government, or public sector operations through coursework, internships, research, or professional experience.
• Experience supporting executive leadership or working in a large organizational setting.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, exercise initiative, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Comfort with fast-paced, dynamic work environments and flexible schedules.
• Demonstrated initiative, problem-solving skills, and ability to work independently while collaborating with leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive or confidential information professionally and discreetly, particularly in high-level executive or governmental settings.
• Experience engaging with senior leadership, elected officials, or executive offices is a plus.

**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 test.
SAFETY IMPACT POSITION Yes
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 26
APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov
To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call (832-393-0453).
If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-0453). (TTY 7-1-1)
If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.
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.
EOE Equal Opportunity Employer
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.
The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Supplemental Insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Retirement pension
• 457 deferred compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year
• 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
• Compensable Sick Leave
• Personal Leave
• Flexible schedules
• Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
• Professional development opportunities
• Transportation/parking plan
• Section 125 pretax deductions
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html
01
Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?

• Yes
• No

02
Which best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma / GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the Above

03
How many years of professional administrative, financial or analytical experience do you have?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 - 2 years
• 3 - 4 years
• 5 - 6 years
• 7 years or more

04
Describe your related experience. If none, use N/A. (See resume is not an acceptable answer.)
05
Do you have a current/ valid Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

06
What level of work schedule flexibility and availability are you willing to commit to?

• Standard availability only - Available only during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM)
• Planned flexibility - Can support after-hours or weekend work when scheduled in advance
• Short-notice flexibility - Can work early mornings, evenings, or weekends with 1-2 days notice as needed
• Executive-level availability - Routinely available outside standard hours, including evenings and weekends, with minimal notice to support executive priorities
• None of the Above

07
What level of experience do you have supporting executive leadership?

• None
• Indirect exposure - limited interaction with senior leaders; supported work at a general staff or team level
• Operational support - regularly supported managers or directors by coordinating tasks, preparing updates, or managing communications assigned by others
• Executive partnership - directly supported senior executives (Director level, C-suite, or elected officials), with responsibility for preparing briefings, managing priorities, and supporting decision-making processes

08
How would you rate your ability to analyze issues and develop actionable recommendations?

• None
• Basic - gathered information or data when requested
• Intermediate - analyzed issues or data and contributed to recommendations
• Advanced - independently analyzed complex or ambiguous issues and developed clear, actionable recommendations for leadership

09
How would you rate your ability to synthesize meeting discussions into clear, actionable follow-up and support strategic next steps?

• Limited - prefer clearly assigned tasks and structured direction
• Developing - manage multiple tasks with guidance and occasional prioritization support
• Proficient - independently prioritize competing work and resolve routine issues in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced - exercise sound judgment to prioritize shifting demands, identify issues early, and resolve moderately complex problems with minimal direction

10
How would you describe your ability to manage competing priorities and resolve problems in a fast-paced environment?

• Limited - prefer clearly assigned tasks and priorities
• Developing - manage multiple tasks with guidance
• Proficient - independently prioritize work and resolve routine challenges in a fast-paced environment
• Advanced - anticipate issues, reprioritize in real time, and resolve moderately complex problems with minimal direction

11
What level of experience do you have handling sensitive or confidential information in a professional setting?

• None - No experience working with confidential or sensitive information
• Basic awareness - Encountered confidential information but had limited responsibility for handling it
• Moderate - Regularly handled confidential information and followed established policies and guidance to ensure appropriate discretion and protection of information
• Advanced - Routinely managed highly sensitive or pre-decisional information and independently exercised judgment on appropriate handling, access, and distribution of information in an executive or high-trust environment

Required Question