Technical Policy Writer

General Summary Under the general supervision of the Policy Manager, the Technical Policy Writer performs advanced professional-level policy research, analysis, development, and technical writing for the Harris County Sheriff's Office. The position develops, reviews, revises, and maintains agency policies, procedures, and related directives so that they are legally sound, operationally workable, internally consistent, clearly written, and aligned with applicable federal, state, and local law, regulatory and accreditation requirements, Harris County requirements, and Sheriff's Office directives. The Technical Policy Writer works with Executive Command, Legal Counsel, bureau and division leadership, subject-matter experts, and operational personnel to translate legal, regulatory, and operational requirements into clear, actionable policy. The position independently researches assigned policy topics, identifies gaps or conflicts, evaluates operational impact, and recommends appropriate revisions; it does not supervise staff. Key Responsibilities Researches, drafts, reviews, and revises Sheriff's Office policies, procedures, general orders, and related administrative directives. Conducts research into applicable federal and Texas law, Harris County requirements, HCSO Civil Service Rules, regulatory standards, accreditation standards (e.g., TCOLE, TCJS, PREA, CALEA), and recognized public-safety practices relevant to the subject matter. Interviews and consults with subject-matter experts, supervisors, bureau/division leadership, and employees to gather and validate the information needed to develop or revise policy. Evaluates existing policies for accuracy, clarity, consistency, redundancy, conflicting requirements, outdated provisions, and operational feasibility. Translates complex legal, regulatory, and operational information into clear, concise, and actionable policy language appropriate for employees at all levels. Distinguishes policy requirements from procedures, guidelines, and training materials, and recommends the appropriate document type. Performs policy impact analyses to identify likely effects on operations, staffing, training, technology, forms, records, and other affected functions. Reviews related policies when making revisions to keep terminology, authority, and responsibilities consistent across the Sheriff's Office policy system. Coordinates policy review with Legal Counsel and other stakeholders when proposed or revised policy involves statutory, regulatory, civil-service, employment, or other legal considerations. Facilitates stakeholder review of draft policy, evaluates comments and competing input, and prepares revised language or options for management consideration. Prepares change summaries, briefing documents, and other materials needed to communicate new or revised policy to Executive Command and affected personnel. Maintains documentation of policy research, source authorities, stakeholder input, revisions, and approvals. Supports systematic review cycles and identifies HCSO policies requiring revision due to changes in law, regulation, or operations. Coordinates with affected divisions on implementation of approved policy, including related training, forms, or procedural changes. Assists in maintaining standardized policy-writing conventions, formatting, terminology, and templates. Conducts benchmarking research into policies and practices of other governmental or public-safety agencies, as appropriate. Handles sensitive and confidential information with discretion. Performs other duties within the scope and responsibility of the position as assigned. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Political Science, English, Technical Communication, Journalism, Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, Business Administration, or a closely related field; and Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in policy research, policy analysis, regulatory analysis, technical writing, legal/regulatory writing, procedure development, compliance documentation, or comparable professional work, including at least one (1) year of direct responsibility for drafting, substantively revising, or analyzing formal organizational policies, procedures, regulations, or comparable governance documents. Valid Driver's License (Texas upon hire). Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: Principles and practices of professional policy analysis, policy development, technical writing, editing, and document management. Research methods used to evaluate laws, regulations, governmental requirements, professional standards, and operational practices. Plain-language principles and methods for communicating complex information clearly. Document organization, version control, and records-management principles. Public-safety or law-enforcement operations sufficient to understand the operational impact of agency policy, or the ability to rapidly develop such knowledge. Skilled in: Advanced professional and technical writing, editing, and substantive revision of complex documents. Legal, regulatory, policy, and operational research. Analyzing complex or conflicting information and identifying material issues. Conducting interviews and facilitating discussion with subject-matter experts. Preparing briefings, recommendations, and analytical documents for leadership review. Managing multiple assignments and competing deadlines. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, and other document-development and collaboration applications such as Visio and Adobe Acrobat Pro. Ability to: Write complex policy requirements with precision, clarity, and consistency. Independently analyze unfamiliar and technically complex subject matter. Identify inconsistencies, omissions, ambiguities, and implementation problems in proposed policy. Exercise sound judgment in determining when additional research, stakeholder consultation, or legal review is necessary. Communicate effectively with personnel ranging from front-line employees and subject-matter experts to Legal Counsel, bureau/division leadership, and Executive Command. Work independently with limited supervision on sensitive or high-impact assignments. Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion. Candidates selected for interview must submit a professional writing sample. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Criminal Justice, Technical Communication, or a related discipline; or Juris Doctor degree. Professional experience developing or substantially revising policy, procedures, general orders, or regulatory documentation within a law-enforcement, corrections, criminal-justice, governmental, military, healthcare, or similarly regulated organization. Demonstrated experience researching and interpreting statutes, regulations, administrative rules, case law, or accreditation standards (e.g., TCOLE, TCJS, PREA, CALEA). Experience working collaboratively with attorneys, executive leadership, and operational subject-matter experts. Work Environment This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Work Environment & Physical Demands This position operates primarily in a professional office setting. Standard use of computers, phones, printers, and other office and document-management equipment. Occasional need to lift and carry up to 10 pounds to move files and/or boxes of documents. Position Type and Typical Hours of Work Position Type: Full-Time, Exempt Work Schedule: Typically Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with availability for after-hours and on-call support as required. Other Duties: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reporting Relationships: Reports To Position: Policy Manager Supervises Positions: None Equal Opportunity Statement Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. #J-18808-Ljbffr Harris County Sheriff's Office