Planner, Planner II, Senior Planner (Health & Human Services)

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 Research & Planning 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: public health issue area, food issue area, behavioral health issue area, workforce development issue area, 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.

The Health & Human Services Department strives to improve social and economic well-being for Travis County residents. The Research & Planning Division is committed to building an inclusive environment and strives to incorporate equity principles in our work. Successful candidates will share these values.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a series of three planner-related job classifications within the Planning and Research job family. The classification levels are distinguished increasing levels of responsibility for performing planning, research, and analysis for assigned projects and programs. At the Senior Planner level, the work may include implementing highly complex projects and programs, serving as project manager, and making final decisions within areas of responsibility.

The Research and 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
• Investment planning: scoping, planning, and implementing competitive processes for social services investments
• Implement task 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
• Represents 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.

Education and Experience:
Planner I: Bachelor's degree AND four (4) years of relevant experience including program planning, strategic planning, research, project management, policy research, and/or program development. $55,877.50-$61,281.42 annually

Planner II: Bachelor's degree AND five (5) years of relevant experience including program planning, strategic planning, research, project management, policy research, and/or program development. $58,112.60-$63,732.68 annually

Senior Planner: Bachelor's degree AND six (6) years of relevant experience including program planning, strategic planning, research, project management, policy research, and/or program development. $60,437-$67,494.43 annually

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

At all levels, a Master's degree in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience. Related fields include but are not limited to: Social Work, Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or other social sciences (Public Health, Geography, etc.)

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None

Preferred:
Experience with social services/health and human services (may include work, volunteer, and/or life experience)
Experience in one or more of the following: data analysis, community planning, performance measurement and evaluation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Applicants are not required to have all of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities, but should have some mix. Applicants with any mix of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Knowledge of:

• Human service systems and programs
• Governmental agencies and relevant policies (local, state, and federal)
• Principles of community planning
• Primary research methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys, etc.)
• Secondary research methods (literature reviews, use of online sources, etc.)
• Performance measurement
• Logic models
• Population characteristics and community conditions pertaining to health and human services
• Computer equipment and software, to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint; knowledge of databases, statistical packages, GIS, and design software can be applied
• Grammar, punctuation, and writing style for reports and professional communications
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information

Skill in:

• Program planning, development, and implementation
• Data analysis
• Policy research/policy analysis
• Writing reports, briefs, and other documents
• Developing and making presentations
• Planning and facilitating meetings and groups
• Managing projects for self and teams (includes developing work plan, coordinating tasks and timelines, etc.)
• Both verbal and written communication

Ability to:

• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities
• Apply the knowledge and skills above to reach sound conclusions and make recommendations
• Apply flexibility and initiative to new assignments
• Work autonomously with moderate supervision and seek guidance/consultation when needed
• Work collaboratively with peers and teams
• Represent Travis County professionally in community work
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with department, County, and community staff
• Communicate and work with diverse stakeholders, including clients, staff, partner agencies, elected officials, and the public
• Consider different viewpoints

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5-20 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, occasional indoor/outdoor activities, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Please attach a cover letter/personal statement explaining your interest in this position including:
-How would you apply your work, volunteer, and/or life experience in this position?
-Why are you interested in working in the public sector in the field of health and human services?

Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Monday through Friday

Department: Health and Human Services

Location: 5325 Airport Blvd., Austin, TX 78751. This position is eligible for Telework, with in-office as needed. Must live in or near Austin, TX area.

Criminal Background, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check is Required.

Travis County is an equal opportunity employer and adheres to a policy of nondiscrimination against any person based on race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, or disability. Reasonable accommodation will be made for persons with disabilities during the application process and/or at the time of employment. Requests for accommodation should be made to the Human Resources Department as early as possible in the application/employment process

#ZREmployment Type: Full Time