Policy Director
Harris County
Houston, TX
Description
Position Description
The Mission of the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis:
Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Office is committed to becoming a national model for delivering responsive public service that utilizes inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity, and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County. Key Areas of focus for our organization include, but are not limited to:
- Advancing more effective, fair and equitable criminal justice system.
- Furthering economic justice, equity, and opportunity for all Harris County residents, especially those often and historically left behind by government programs.
- Ensuring equitable outcomes in health and access to quality, affordable healthcare
- Fighting for environmental and climate justice that keeps all communities safe and healthy.
- Equitably investing in developing and maintaining resilient infrastructure and transportation for the 21st century
- Building and defending voting rights and a democracy that ensures equitable representation.
- Progressing equity and social and racial justice as common threads through all areas of public policy and public service.
Core Values & Leadership Principles
The Policy Director is expected to embody the values of Commissioner Ellis’ Office and the Policy Division, including a strong work ethic, collaborative leadership, principled decision-making, and a steadfast commitment to equity, justice, and public service. The role contributes to a fair, equitable, sustainable, and results-driven organization grounded in trust, accountability, and shared purpose.
What you will do at Precinct One
The Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis (OCRE) seeks a Policy Director to lead the Policy Division and steward the precinct’s policy agenda in service of building a national model for responsive, inclusive, and collaborative public service. This role operates at the intersection of strategy, policy, and power and is responsible for advancing major reforms, shaping cross-division strategy, and translating leadership priorities into durable institutional change.
As the senior policy leader within the Office, the Director translates values into executable governance strategy; anticipates political, legal, and operational risk; and provides clear, trusted counsel in high-stakes environments. The role serves as a principal thought partner to the Commissioner and executive leadership, supporting coherence, discipline, and strategic clarity across OCRE’s policy, advocacy, and implementation work.
In addition to division leadership and portfolio oversight, the Director carries primary responsibility for organizational policy performance, talent development, and cross-system coordination. The Director represents the Office in major policy arenas and serves as a steward of the Commissioner’s vision, values, and institutional integrity across Harris County Precinct One.
Strategic Policy Priorities
The OCRE Policy Division advances work across core issue areas, including:
- Criminal justice reform and public safety
- Economic justice and workforce opportunity
- Health equity and access to quality, affordable care
- Environmental and climate justice
- Infrastructure and transportation equity
- Voting rights and democratic participation
- Racial and social justice integration across systems
Key Responsibilities:
Policy Strategy & Agenda Leadership
- Lead development and execution of the precinct’s policy agenda in partnership with the Commissioner and executive leadership team.
- Translate OCRE priorities into clear initiatives, timelines, and performance benchmarks.
- Identify emerging challenges and opportunities and recommend proactive policy responses.
- Ensure alignment between policy strategy, advocacy, and implementation.
Cross-Division Coordination & Strategic Advocacy
- Direct integrated policy, advocacy, and communications strategies in collaboration with Community Affairs, Communications, and other OCRE divisions.
- Build and manage coalitions with county departments, court offices, community organizations and stakeholders, and partner organizations.
- Represent the Policy Division in executive, intergovernmental, and public forums.
- Develop, plan and advance coordinated campaigns that elevate priority issues and secure durable reforms.
Division Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, coach, and evaluate a team of 12-15 staff members in a high-accountability, equity-centered environment.
- Oversee recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and performance management.
- Establish clear workflows, quality standards, and internal controls to ensure excellence and efficiency.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, learning, and results.
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies and best practices.
Senior Policy Advising & Execution
- Maintain ownership of select high-priority portfolios and initiatives.
- Ensure production of rigorous, timely policy analysis, briefs, and recommendations.
- Provide strategic guidance on time-sensitive and politically complex matters.
- Support staff in navigating technical, legal, and operational challenges.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership on policy risks and opportunities.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact
- Establish systems to track progress, outcomes, and implementation fidelity.
- Monitor local, state, and federal developments and assess implications for county policy.
- Report regularly to executive leadership on performance, risks, and strategic opportunities.
- Use data and evaluation to strengthen long-term policy impact.
Division Scope
Under the Director’s leadership, the Policy Division:
- Develops subject-matter expertise across assigned portfolios
- Conducts high-quality research and analysis
- Designs actionable policy solutions
- Leads stakeholder engagement and outreach
- Supports strategic communications and advocacy
- Advances implementation and evaluation efforts
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 from an accredited college or university required; a Juris Doctor or Masters Degree from an accredited college or university preferred
Experience:
- Substantial work experience in public policy, government, advocacy, or related fields.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated success leading complex policy initiatives in political or governmental environments.
- Proven people-management and organizational leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic advocacy campaigns and a commitment to advancing equity and justice, consistent and aligned with the Precinct One mission
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience building coalitions and managing cross-sector partnerships.
- Strong political judgment and ability to operate in high-profile, fast-paced environments.
- Experience conducting research, policy design and/or advocacy in at least one of the following policy areas: criminal justice, public safety, health and/or mental health, affordable housing and housing stability, community development, infrastructure resilience and disaster recovery, urban planning/transportation, environmental justice and climate change, economic equity and opportunity public finance and budgeting.
Core Competencies:
- Ability to quickly develop an understanding of an issue area landscape, identify key problems, and surface critical questions.
- Strong policy research and analysis skills, including compiling key information and data; evaluating options using basic cost/benefit analysis; and developing substantiated recommendations for a clear course of action.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to formulate clear, compelling arguments.
- Ability to communicate complex policy information clearly and concisely to different target audiences (e.g., Commissioners Court, community partners, media, internal teams).
- Skill in deploying effective, values-based messaging frames interwoven with compelling data to inform, educate, and persuade target audiences on public policy issues.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans to advance policy goals in both offensive and defensive contexts, including mapping decision-maker power, understanding stakeholder terrain, and assessing time and resource needs.
- Commitment to embodying Policy and Precinct values and culture, including a strong work ethic, a collaborative approach, and a steadfast commitment to the Precinct and Policy team missions.
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
- Experience in local or county government operations.
- Familiarity with Harris County systems and institutions.
- Background in policy communications or campaign-style advocacy.
- Experience translating community-driven priorities into institutional reform.
General Information
Position Type and Hours:
- Full-time | Regular
- Monday - Friday | Evenings and weekend will be required at times.
Work Environment:
- This position includes standard office work which may require remaining stationary and working at a computer workstation for extended periods.
- Will generally perform duties in an office, though sometimes at external event locations
- Occasional travel within Harris County
Physical Demands:
- At times files or boxes must be transported weighing up to 15lbs.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
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:
www.benefitsathctx.com