Chief of Staff

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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:

• 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 position 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, building 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 organizational 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.

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.

General Information: This is a full-time position; typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, with occasional evening or weekend events and possible long or irregular hours during public health emergencies or disaster response. The role operates in a professional office environment with travel to department sites and community events across the County. Work Location: Harris County Public Health, 1111 Fannin, Houston, TX 77002.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.