Construction Specialist

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16317
Department: Engineering Department
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 12:30 PM Central


Position Description
Position Overview:
Responsible for monitoring design and construction contracts, for scheduling and coordinating all aspects of construction projects, and for conducting a broad range of research and field investigations in order to make recommendations to management related to daily facility repairs and/or long-range planning needs. Prepare and present design proposals, including detailed drawings of finished renovations or restorations. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.

Job Duties:

• Evaluates building occupancy and space utilization requirements to ensure adequacy, efficiency, and compliance with County standards and all applicable codes and ordinances, in response to space renovation requests from County departments.
• Performs conditions assessment of space, estimates the cost of renovation/addition, and prepares a project schedule.
• Produces design and construction documents for construction to be done by a contractor, and coordinates with structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and other disciplines as required.
• Monitors design and construction contracts for budget, timeliness, and accuracy.
• Coordinates the work of different contractors to complete construction projects.
• Coordinates occupant moves with the construction timeline, occupants, and movers.
• Required to drive personal or county vehicles to various work sites.
• Required to climb ladders periodically to access building roofs.
• Subject to working early morning, evening, weekend, and emergency events as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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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 G.E.D. equivalent.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of space planning, preliminary design, design development, construction documents, and construction services for commercial projects.
• Two (2) years of experience in Construction Management.
• Two (2) years of experience with computer-aided design (AutoCAD) software
• Troubleshoot and identify emergency repairs on heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
• Inspect, report, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration damage.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:
In accordance with Harris County's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification process of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
  Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergency events.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor prior to reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support County operations continuity.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

• Ability to develop project cost estimates and evaluate those received.
• Ability to develop space programs, functional space plans, and construction documents.
• Knowledge of construction materials, methods, practices, and procedures.
• Experience and knowledge of all applicable building codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• Working knowledge of Harris County government and procedures is helpful.
• Ability to communicate diplomatically with elected and appointed officials, contractors, and user tenants.
• Valid driver's license (Texas upon hire) and a good driving record.
• Well-versed in Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, and AutoCAD
• Ability to receive CJIS clearance, pass a security check, and a drug test, as required. This position is Safety Sensitive and will be subject to random drug and alcohol screening.

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
Education

• Bachelor's Degree from any accredited university.

Experience:

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)

General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:
Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.
Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary : Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure :
Most assignments will be performed in an office, at a meeting, or in an operations command center, but some fieldwork may be required. May be required to work extended work hours during activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified length of time (varies based on the extent of the event). This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 lbs., frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs.

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

FEATURED BENEFITS :
Medical, vision, and dental insurance.
Wellness.
Professional development opportunities.
Flexible spending accounts.
457 deferred compensation plans.
Retirement pension (TCDRS).
Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).
Disability and life insurance.
Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
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:
01


What is your highest level of education as it relates to this role?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree

02


Do you have at least two (2) years of professional experience in space planning, preliminary design, design development, construction documents, and construction services for commercial projects?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have at least two (2) years of professional experience in Construction Management?

• Yes
• No

04


Do you have at least two (2) years of professional experience using computer-aided design software such as AutoCAD?

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have professional experience troubleshooting and identifying emergency repairs for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems?

• Yes
• No

06


Do you have professional experience inspecting, reporting on, and repairing heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) systems?

• Yes
• No

Required Question