Senior Policy Advisor

About the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office

The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar’s Office (HCTO) ensures the proper administration of tax laws and provides vital services to the community. Key functions include:

• Property Tax Collection: Assess and collect property taxes for commercial and residential property owners, calculate taxes based on appraised values, and distribute funds to appropriate entities.
• Motor Vehicle Services: Manage vehicle registration, issue license plates, handle title transfers, and collect associated fees.
• Voter Registration: Oversee voter registration, issue certificates, and maintain an accurate voter registration roll.
• Additional Revenue Collection: Collect fees, fines, and revenues related to permits or state mandates.

Responsibilities

• Conduct complex policy research and analysis to support the development of policy frameworks, implementation plans, and strategic recommendations.
• Perform research, benchmarking, comparative analysis, and evaluate performance data to identify best practices, trends, and operational improvement opportunities.
• Manage assigned policy projects, including timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop policy memoranda, briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, presentations, and decision-support materials for the elected official and senior leadership.
• Provide briefings on legislative developments, policy issues, operational impacts, and strategic considerations.
• Analyze proposed legislation affecting HCTO’s statutory responsibilities, operations, staffing, funding, and service delivery during and between Texas Legislative sessions.
• Utilize data, performance measures, and operational information to support policy analysis and recommendations.
• Collaborate with operational divisions to gather subject matter expertise, operational impacts, and fiscal considerations for policy analysis and leadership briefings.
• Work with the County’s Intergovernmental & Global Affairs (IGA) Department on legislative matters affecting HCTO through research, analysis, and strategic recommendations.
• Monitor and analyze Commissioners Court agendas and actions, ensuring leadership receives timely information on operational, fiscal, staffing, and policy impacts.
• Partner with Data Analysts and Finance Analysts to incorporate data findings into policy analysis, process improvement efforts, and executive briefings.
• Conduct comparative analyses of operational performance and service delivery to identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Support the annual budget development process by coordinating with Finance and Division Chiefs to evaluate funding needs, policy priorities, and organizational impacts.
• Build collaborative relationships across HCTO and with governmental affairs partners to support effective policy analysis and implementation.
• Support legislative and Court tracking systems and reporting processes for leadership.
• Develop subject matter expertise in HCTO’s primary service areas: Property Tax Collection, Motor Vehicle Services, and Voter Registration.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Minimum three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, public administration, strategic planning, or a related field.
• Experience conducting policy analysis and developing recommendations for executive leadership.
• Experience analyzing legislation, regulations, or government policies.
• Experience preparing briefing materials for executive leadership or elected officials.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of public policy analysis, legislative affairs, governmental operations, and strategic planning.
• Understanding of the Texas legislative process and county government.
• Ability to research, analyze, and summarize complex policy issues.
• Ability to synthesize qualitative research, quantitative data, and operational information into strategic recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing executive-level memoranda, briefing materials, presentations, and reports.
• Ability to translate complex policy issues into clear recommendations and actionable insights.
• Strong research, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to conduct benchmarking and comparative research.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling sensitive policy matters.

Preferences

Education, Experience & Training

• Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field.
• Experience monitoring and analyzing legislation during Texas legislative sessions.
• Experience conducting benchmarking and comparative research.
• Experience supporting continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with operational teams to evaluate impacts and develop recommendations.
• Experience using data and performance measures to support policy analysis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of fundamental property tax concepts, rules, and operations.
• Understanding of voter registration processes, list maintenance obligations, and the role of voter registration in the election process.

Schedule

Standard hours: 8 am - 5 pm, with some evenings and weekends required. Occasional overnight travel to conferences and training sessions.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office setting with frequent interruptions and extensive computer use. Includes site visits to various Tax Offices, Harris County facilities, and community locations, both indoors and outdoors. Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight travel is required.

Physical Demands

This role requires remaining stationary for long periods. May occasionally transport boxes or equipment weighing up to 30-50 lbs.

Location

1001 Preston, Houston, TX 77004