Chief of Staff

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 16859
Department: Public Health Services
Division: Office of the Executive Director
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/10/2026 5:00 PM Central


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.
Our Values:

HCPH embraces a foundation of progressive work anchored by the department's cornerstone values guiding our work to improve the community's health and well-being.

• Transparency: We share information openly and honestly so that staff, partners, and the community understand our actions and the reasons behind them.
• Integrity: Our actions reflect strong ethical principles, ensuring we remain trustworthy, accountable, and consistent with our mission.
• Respect : We foster a supportive environment by valuing diverse perspectives, listening intentionally, and treating people with dignity in every interaction.
• Impact: We focus our efforts on activities that improve health, reduce disparities, and create meaningful, measurable outcomes for the communities we serve.
• Collaboration: We actively partner across teams, disciplines, organizations, and communities to align our efforts toward common goals.

Position Overview:

The Chief of Staff supports the Executive Director in promoting the mission and vision of Harris County Public Health, leading high-priority initiatives, supporting delivery of organizational goals, and fostering collaboration across executive leadership, public health divisions, county partners, and community stakeholders. This positions drives operational excellence, strengthens internal systems, and ensures that public health services are delivered efficiently, equitably, and responsively to community needs.
This role coordinates department-wide initiatives, drives the successful implementation of operational improvements, and works closely with executive leadership to align resources, monitor performance, and strengthen organizational effectiveness and service delivery. Serving as a trusted advisor to the Executive Director, the Chief of Staff balances long-term strategy with near-term implementation. They will build strong relationships across divisions and departments to ensure strategic goals are achieved effectively and sustainably.

This position is responsible for leading and managing the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Executive Director. Serving as a strategic and operational partner to the Executive Director, this role ensures organization priorities are translated into clear action plans and executed effectively across the department.
Duties & Responsibilities:

• Partners with the Executive Director to design, implement and evaluate department-wide goals and strategic initiatives, including advancing public engagement, policy development, and long-range planning efforts; establishes clear performance metrics and accountability structures to measure impact and outcomes.
• Proactively identifies, assesses, and manages high-priority projects and strategic initiatives; coordinates cross-functional responses and advises the Executive Director and leadership on recommended courses of action.
• Lives by and promotes department values; strengthens and sustains a high-performing organizational culture that emphasizes operational excellence, innovation, collaboration, and exceptional customer service; plans and oversees leadership and department-wide meetings to ensure alignment, transparency, and follow-through on key initiatives.
• Supports the development of executive communications, including memos, policy briefs, presentations, reports, and background materials that synthesize complex data and technical information into clear, actionable insights tailored to diverse audiences.
• Serves as a senior representative of the department, engaging with Commissioners Court staff, County departments, and HCPH Divisions as well as city, state and federal agencies, community partners, and external stakeholders; builds and maintains strategic relationships to advance public health priorities.
• Directly supervises assigned staff, providing leadership, coaching, professional development, performance management, and clear direction to ensure accountability and high-quality outcomes.
• Supports Continuity of Operations and Emergency Response functions, including serving as backup for the Executive Director when needed
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the mission, vision, and operational needs of the department.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

If you need special services or accommodations, please call View phone number on click.appcast.io or email


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:

• Master's degree in Public Health, Public Administration, Business Administration, Health Administration or other health related field strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership or senior management experience in public health, health administration, or management.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience overseeing cross-functional operations, strategic initiatives, or organizational performance efforts.
• Experience supporting executive leadership, governing bodies, or elected officials preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, operational management, and policy implementation.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of public health principles and best practices
• Strong project and operational management skills with the ability to lead multiple priorities simultaneously and deliver measurable results
• Demonstrated strategic thinking; ability to assess complex issues, identify risks, and develop actionable solutions
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of executive-level presentations, reports, and briefing materials
• Proven ability to influence, collaborate with, and build effective relationships across all levels of the organization and with external stakeholders
• Experience supporting board or governing body planning and preparation
• Ability to execute strategic initiatives across cross-functional teams
• Strong interpersonal skills, professional judgment, and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adaptability and sound decision-making skills in fast-paced, high-visibility environments

Core Competencies

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that improve community health outcomes.
• Policy Development and Program Planning Skills: This competency focuses on developing, implementing, and improving policies, programs, and services that support effective public health strategies and improve community health outcomes.
• Communication Skills: This competency focuses on using clear and effective communication to engage audiences, address misinformation, and build trust, supporting informed decisions and stronger public health outcomes.
• Health Advancement Skills: This competency focuses on applying principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion to public health, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting fair access to resources for healthier communities.
• Community Partnership Skills: This competency focuses on collaborating with communities to address the systems and policies affecting health, fostering engagement, shared ownership, and sustainable improvements in well-being.
• Public Health Science Skills: This competency focuses on using public health science and evidence-based approaches to develop and improve policies and programs, ensuring effective delivery of the 10 Essential Public Health Services.
• Management and Finance Skills: This competency focuses on managing human and financial resources, promoting equity and collaboration, and optimizing organizational performance to support effective public health programs.
• Leadership and Systems Thinking Skills: This competency focuses on aligning stakeholders, fostering innovation, and managing change to implement effective public health initiatives that strengthen community health.

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.

General Information
Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, from 8 am to 5 pm, with occasional attendance at evening or weekend events expected. May be required to work long and irregular hours in case of public health emergency or disaster response.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment, together with travel to department sites and community events across the County.

Physical Demands:

• This is a largely sedentary role; some duties may require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds, and bending and standing for periods at a time.

Work Location:

• Harris County Public Health: 1111 Fannin, Houston, 77002

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


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• N/A; No Degree

02


If you selected a degree in response to the previous question, which of the following disciplines best relates to your degree most relevant to this position?

• Public Health
• Public Administration
• Business Administration
• Health Administration
• Other Health Related Field
• Non-Related Field
• N/A; No Degree

03


Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in progressively responsible leadership or senior management experience in public health, health administration, or management?(To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than seven (7) years.
• Seven (7) years or more.
• I do not have this experience.

04


Please provide details about your verifiable experience in progressively responsible leadership or senior management experience in public health, health administration, or management?DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) roles, (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
05


Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in overseeing cross-functional operations, strategic initiatives, or organizational performance efforts.(To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than five (5) year/years
• Five (5) year/years or more.
• I do not have this experience.

06


Please provide details about your verifiable experience in overseeing cross-functional operations, strategic initiatives, or organizational performance efforts.DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) roles, (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities, (d) employment dates (ex. MM/YYYY to MM/YYYY). If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
07


Which of the following best describes tyour experience supporting executive leadership, governing bodies, or elected officials?

• No experience supporting executive leadership, governing bodies, or elected officials.
• Less than one (1) year of experience supporting executive leadership, governing bodies, or elected officials.
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience supporting executive leadership, governing bodies, or elected officials.
• More than three (3) years of experience supporting executive leadership, governing bodies, or elected official

Required Question