Communications Division Director

Communications Division Director

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

16974

Department

Flood Control District

Opening Date

07/17/2026

Closing Date

9/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

150

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

About Harris County Flood Control District:

The Flood Control District has the mission to reduce the risk of flooding in Harris County, the third most populated county in the United States, with a population in excess of 4.7 million, including the City of Houston, the nation's fourth largest city. The Flood Control District has jurisdiction over the primary stormwater facilities in the county, which consist of approximately 1,500 channels totaling nearly 2,500 miles in length, as well as more than 60 regional stormwater detention basins, totaling more than 10,000 acres and several wetlands mitigation banks including Greens bayou.

What you will do at Harris County Flood Control District:

The Communications Division Director is responsible for leading all communications-based strategies and programs for the Flood Control District, in support of its overall mission. This includes oversight of media relations, public outreach, internal and external communications, digital platforms, and crisis communication. The Director manages internal and contract staff and provides strategic counsel to executive leadership, with an emphasis on transparency, public trust, inclusion, and measurable impact.

Essential Functions and Duties:

Strategic Oversight and Leadership

• Provide strategic oversight of all communications related to the District, including project communications and capital project delivery updates, media relations, social media, digital platforms, internal communications, public affairs/outreach, brand/reputation management, and stakeholder engagement.
• Develop and direct the implementation of an annual strategic communications plan that supports the District's mission and objectives, with data-informed goals and measurable performance indicators.
• Ensure all communication strategies reflect the District's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and language equity.
• Provide strategic counsel to the Executive Director and other members of executive leadership, and conduct regular executive briefings on updates, challenges, results, and public sentiment.
• Support communication around legislative initiatives, policy updates, and government relations as needed.

Team Leadership and Management

• Direct internal communications efforts, including executive messaging, town halls, organizational updates, and change management communications.
• Hold team members accountable through regular meetings, status updates, and performance reviews.
• Establish and promote continuing education and training for staff, ensuring knowledge of best practices, DEI, crisis readiness, and emerging technologies.
• Oversee personnel compliance with District policies and procedures.

Public Relations and Media Engagement

• Lead and direct the District's proactive and reactive media relations efforts to maximize positive press and public awareness of projects, initiatives, and benefits.
• Serve as a spokesperson for the District as needed, including media interviews and high-profile events.
• Lead social media strategy, development, monitoring, and analysis across platforms.
• Oversee content creation and graphic design, ensuring consistency in tone, branding, and visual identity across all channels.
• Monitor and respond to public sentiment and media coverage, adjusting strategies as needed.
• Manage and enhance the District's reputation through thoughtful messaging and proactive engagement.

Crisis Communications and Emergency Response

• Serve as the District's communications lead during emergency events, including incident command or emergency operations center activations. Must be available for extended, on-site mobilization during such events.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and public engagement strategies before, during, and after emergencies.
• Ensure communications are timely, accessible, and available across multiple platforms and in multiple languages.

Stakeholder and Community Engagement

• Design and implement community outreach and stakeholder engagement strategies to promote education, trust, and transparency.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders, local organizations, advocacy groups, and elected officials.
• Lead presentations and participate in public meetings, including project updates and community forums.

Budget and Technology Oversight

• Prepare and manage the annual communications budget and ensure responsible use of resources.
• Identify and implement communications tools, software, and platforms to enhance workflow, media monitoring, public engagement, and reporting.
• Serve as point of contact for external consultants and oversee their performance and deliverables.

Additional Responsibilities and Support

• Attend meetings with internal departments, public officials, partner agencies, and vendors.
• Present at conferences, workshops, and relevant training programs.
• Provide media training to internal staff and executives.
• Assume additional responsibilities as required, adapting to the evolving demands, responsibilities, needs, and objectives of the District.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

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:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university

Experience:

• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or related field
• Experience managing teams executing high-profile, fast-paced projects.

Licensure:

• Valid Class "C" Texas Driver's License

Knowledge Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong understanding of Associated Press (AP) style.
• Knowledge of governmental and public agency communication structures.
• Familiarity with crisis communication protocols and emergency operations.
• Knowledge of digital platforms, content strategy, and social media best practices.
• Skilled in presentation development, public speaking, and messaging under pressure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and communication management platforms (e.g., CMS, email marketing, social scheduling, project management).
• Ability to analyze data, evaluate communication impact, and adapt strategy accordingly.
• Lead a high-performing team and manage change with clarity and confidence.
• Exercise strong judgment under pressure, especially during emergencies or high-stakes events.
• Build positive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
• Manage multiple projects with competing deadlines while maintaining high-quality output.
• Maintain professionalism in high-visibility or high-scrutiny scenarios.
• Read/comprehend written materials including procedures, instructions, and policies.

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 an accredited four-year college or university in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field (preferred)

Experience:

• Experience serving as an on-the-record spokesperson (preferred)

Language:

• Spanish-speaking proficiency (preferred)

General Information

Position Type, Salary:

• Regular | Full-Time

• Salary: To be discussed at interview

Location:

• Communications - 9900 Northwest Freeway Houston, TX 77092

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Frequent standing and walking; prolonged sitting for extended periods of time.
• Ocassional sorting, filing, shelving, and handling of documents, books, files, file drawers and related materials and equipment required for clerical operations.
• Occasional stooping, bending, reaching, lifting, and carrying of items up to 15 pounds.
• Occasional ascending/descending stairs.
• Occasional driving of a vehicle with automatic controls.
• Work is performed indoors in a normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, air conditions and noise levels.
• Requires extensive use of a video display terminal (computer monitor).
• May be exposed to fluids, compounds or chemicals used in cleaning offices and/or work areas.
• May be exposed to fluids, compounds or chemicals used for photographic or photocopier development or reproduction.

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 Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

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

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Communications
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Which of the following best describes your progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or related field? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than nine (9) years
• Nine (9) years or more but less than ten (10) years
• Ten (10) years or more but less than eleven (11) years
• Eleven (11) years or more but less than twelve (12) years
• Twelve (12) years or more but less than thirteen (13) years
• Thirteen (13) years or more
• I do not have this experience

04

Which of the following types of experience have you obtained through progressively responsible full-time paid employment? (Select all that apply.)

• Public Relations or Media Relations
• Strategic Communications or Corporate Communications
• Public Information or Community Outreach
• Marketing, Branding, or Digital Communications
• Executive, Internal, or Crisis Communications
• Content Development, Writing, or Editing
• Communications Project or Program Management
• None of the above

05

Please provide the dates of employment during which you obtained progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or related field. Provide the month and year that began and ended the experience. Example: "January 2020 - December 2023" If this experience is not clearly documented in the Work Experience section, your application will be disqualified. If you do not have this experience, type "N/A" in the space provided.

06

Do you have experience managing teams executing high-profile, fast-paced projects?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have experience serving as an on-the-record spokesperson?

• Yes
• No

08

If you made a selection in regard to the previous question, please describe your professional knowledge and/or experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)

09

Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.

• Advanced
• Intermediate
• Basic
• Entry Level
• Not proficient

10

For this position, a valid Texas Drivers License is necessary. Please choose the option that best describes your situation: Do you meet the above requirement? (Please be sure to include all related details in the Certificates and Licenses section of your application.)

• Yes, I currently hold a valid Texas Drivers License.
• Yes, I possess a valid Out-of-State Drivers License, but I am aware that I must acquire a valid Texas Drivers License before the start date.
• No, I do not currently have a drivers license, but I commit to obtaining one before the start date.
• No, I do not currently have a valid drivers license.

11

Which of the following language(s) are you bilingual and fluent? Select all that apply:

• English and Spanish
• English and Vietnamese
• English and Chinese
• English and Arabic
• English and Urdu
• English and Tagalog
• English and Other Language(s)
• None of the Above

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx