Information & Referral Specialist (Bilingual)
Harris County
Houston, TX 77002
Description
Position 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:
Under the supervision of the Business Operations Supervisor, the Information & Referral Specialist will support the Environmental Public Health (EPH) division, through assigned duties including customer service and constituent interaction, handling inquiries, administrative support, documentation, and accurate entry of data into the appropriate systems.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Greet citizens in a professional and courteous manner, answer calls, take messages and field questions from the public, industry and agencies, handling inquires when able and/or referring them to appropriate personnel.
- Provide complete and accurate information to callers requesting environmental public health services.
- Take complaints from citizens during regular working hours, enter all information into applicable database, and assign to an investigator.
- Accurately enter data into various databases, spreadsheets, and/or documents that would come from citizens and/or business personnel.
- Collect funds for Harris County permits and keep records of collections.
- Schedule and confirm appointments for citizens, employees, and supervisors.
- Mail letters, permits, material, and various other items. Open, read, route, and distribute incoming mail and other material, and prepare answers to routine letters.
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.
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:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
Language:
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Experience:
- At least one (1) year of customer service experience required.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.
- Understands the organizational mission.
- Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
- Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
- Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
- Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
- Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to handle difficult people and situations in a professional manner.
- Must demonstrate a professional image and have a cheerful, helpful phone voice.
- Must be able to handle multiple projects and be a team player.
- Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
Core Competencies:
Organizational Leadership- Understands the organizational mission.
- Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust.
- Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
Collaboration
- Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission.
- Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group.
- Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs.
Innovation
- Ability to adapt to change.
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
- Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect.
- Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner.
- Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses.
- Uses sound judgment.
- Self-motivated.
- Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity.
Communication
- Communicates clearly, effectively, and persuasively both orally and in writing.
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
N/A
General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:
- This is a Full Time | Regular position
- Monday through Friday | 8am - 5pm
- Other days and hours as necessary
Work Environment:
- This position operates in a professional office environment.
- This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, etc.
Physical Demands:
- This is primarily a sedentary position. Some duties would require the ability to lift up to 10 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.
Work Location:
- 1111 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77002.
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.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
- Accrual rates increase based on years of service
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
- Professional development opportunities
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
- Healthcare Reimbursement Account
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:
- Retirement Pension (TCDRS)
- Flexible schedule (varies by department)
- Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
https://benefitsathctx.com/