Planner

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 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: data analysis; data presentation, including visualization and storytelling; GIS mapping; performance measurement; social service investment planning; contract management; 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; research, data analysis, writing, contract oversight and reporting; community planning group support and process facilitation; 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.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the first in a series of three planner-related job classifications within the Planning and Research job family. This classification is distinguished by incumbents that typically have responsibility for performing planning, researching and analyzing for assigned projects and programs.

The Research & 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 
• Social service contract management 
• Investment planning: community assessment 
• Investment planning: scoping, planning, and implementing competitive processes for social service investments 
• Investment planning: evaluating proposals and negotiating contracts 
• Implement tasks 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  
• Represent 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 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned  

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Sociology or other Social Sciences, Public Health, or a directly related field AND four (4) years increasingly responsible experience with strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research and program development;

OR,

Master's degree in Social Work, Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Sociology or other Social Sciences, Public Health, or a directly related field AND four (2) years increasingly responsible experience strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research and program development;

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.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None required.

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, performance measurement, evaluation, social service contract management

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 
• Human service investment systems (assessing and scoping portfolios, implementing procurement processes, contract management, etc.) 
• 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, Power BI, 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  
• Contract management and investment system planning
• 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, contractors/vendors, 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. 

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday. 

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

Department: Health & Human Services

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: [email protected]

***Mandatory***
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?

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.