Senior Policy Advisor

Senior Policy Advisor

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent interpersonal skills and policy experience to advise and support Travis County Precinct Three Commissioner Ann Howard. This is a unique opportunity to partner with an elected official that is passionate about delivering real and lasting solutions for both her constituents in Precinct Three and everyone across the County. The Senior Policy Advisor will be responsible for developing strategies and advising on policies, programs, and partnerships that advance the Commissioner's priorities. This position is ideal for someone who excels at converting ideas to action, enjoys building and managing partnerships, and is passionate about creating positive change for the community.

Travis County is governed by five elected officials: four Commissioners, each representing a geographic region of the county, and a County Judge. Together, the four County Commissioners and the County Judge oversee a budget of more than $2 billion that funds key services, including transportation, natural resources, justice administration, public health, and housing. Travis County is the fifth largest county in Texas with a population of 1.3 million people.

Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard was first sworn in as the County Commissioner for Precinct Three on January 1, 2021 and re-elected in 2024. Precinct Three is the largest precinct geographically in Travis County; spanning from downtown Austin to Briarcliff, including the entirety of the University of Texas main and west campus areas; stretching to the western edge of Travis County on SH71; reaching the northwest corner of Travis County via SH1431 and Jonestown; and including the neighborhoods of Westlake, Rollingwood, Circle C and Lakeway. Commissioner Ann is committed to making Travis County the best place to grow up and grow old by making County government work smarter, leveraging partnerships, and focusing on customer service.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Leads 1-3 policy portfolios which involves developing positions, proposals, and strategies to advance Commissioner Ann's priorities; developing subject-matter expertise; monitoring local, state, and national developments; conducting research and analysis on policies, budgets, and programs; engaging stakeholders; writing policy memos and briefing Commissioner Ann and her team.
• Serve as the Commissioner's advisor and thought partner on a wide range of issues, including framing policy choices and trade-offs; identifying emerging issues and opportunities; and formulating recommendations.
• Support the development of briefing materials for Commissioners Court meetings.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with County staff, offices of elected officials, partners, and community stakeholders.
• Work with the Chief of Staff and the Commissioner to develop strategies to implement'smart' government practices within the Commissioner's Office and the County; with a specific focus on customer service; better use of data, measurement and evaluation; equity; and operational efficiency.
• Draft responses, correspondence and external messages on behalf of the Commissioner to external stakeholders and constituents.
• Work with Commissioner Ann's team to define short- and long-term priorities for the office.
• Perform special projects or other job-related duties as needed.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Government, Public Administration, Business Administration or a directly related field AND four (4) to five (5) years of responsible administrative experience in a service-oriented organization; 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. Preferred Qualifications: 4-5 years experience working in a policy-focused role within or alongside government Familiarity with or lives within Precinct Three of Travis County and prior work experience in similar environment Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: None required. Competencies, Skills, and Abilities: Competencies and Skills: Advanced judgement and discretion Strong aptitude for problem-solving and decision-making Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong interpersonal and relationship skills Knowledge, awareness, and experience with politics, public policy, and/or government Proficient with Microsoft Office software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint Ability to: Work independently within broad guidelines Handle confidential and sensitive information with a high degree of professionalism and discretion Be a thinker and doer, and take concepts from idea to implementation Create and develop successful partnerships with internal and external stakeholders Communicate complex issues in concise and easy to understand manner Prioritize competing tasks and workstreams Conduct rigorous policy, program, and budget analysis Adapt and stay calm in fast-paced environments