Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17433

Department

Public Health Services

Division

Community Health & Violence Prevention Services

Opening Date

10/23/2026

Closing Date

11/14/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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 departments cornerstone values guiding our work to improve communitys 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:

Under the supervision of the Director of Community Health and Violence Prevention Services (CHVPS), the Communications Specialist will develop, execute, and oversee all communications systems and tools as it relates to CHVPS. They will oversee projects to ensure they are meeting goals and timelines related to marketing campaigns, video production, and general day-to-day functions. This position will also collaborate on project development, provide strategy, and guidance for CHVPS programs and communications initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Work with key internal and external stakeholders on multimedia campaigns to ensure content, including social media content, is current, accurate and consistent with branding and messaging. In collaboration with the Office of Communications, conceptualize, manage media buys, and collateral for assigned campaigns.
• Maintain current and develop ongoing multimedia communication strategies - including leading the development of new communication strategies, plans and protocols to better serve the CHVPS programs.
• Analyze and evaluate CHVPS program needs and provide innovative and engaging consultative guidance.
• Assist CHVPS staff in developing and implementing of Communications goals and objectives for CHVPS programs/activities, as applicable serving as a liaison to less experienced staff.
• Develop and implement workflows to better improve the multimedia processes in the CHVPS division.
• Contribute and maintain centralized repository of communications materials.
• Update daily and weekly reports in a timely manner.
• Edit copy, fact check, and proofread content for use in print and digital materials as assigned.
• Supports leadership and staff with project deadlines and content goals, including assisting in the preparation for press conferences, press releases, and talking points.
• Other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.

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.

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications, public information, public affairs, public health, or social marketing.

Experiences:

• Two (2) years professional work experience with major responsibilities in public relations, communications, public information, public affairs, public health, social marketing, multimedia content creation, and/or project management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and foster teamwork in a diverse environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive information.
• Ability to work well with public and staff members.
• Must use your personal mobile device for our Multifactor Authentication process.
• Proficient in multimedia, including social media, content creation and maintenance.

Core Competencies:

• Data Analytics and Assessment Skills: Ability to use data to analyze community health needs and support decisions that 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.

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

Languages:

• Bilingual in Spanish

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 8am to 5 pm.
• Other days and hours as necessary; including evenings and weekends for community engagement events and press conferences.

Work Environment:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

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

Work Location:

• 1111 Fannin St.

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 Equivalent
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters 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 Relation
• Communications
• Public Information
• Public Affairs
• Public Health
• Social Marketing
• Other Related Field
• Non-Related Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in major responsibilities in public relations, communications, public information, public affairs, public health, social marketing, multimedia content creation, and/or project management (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than two (2) years.
• Two (2) years or more.
• I do not have this experience.

04

Please provide details about your verifiable experience with major responsibilities in public relations, communications, public information, public affairs, public health, social marketing, multimedia content creation, and/or project management DO NOT USE "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications 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

Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? If yes, what is your level of proficiency in Spanish?

• Yes, I am fluent in Spanish (speaking, reading, and writing).
• Yes, I am proficient in conversational Spanish only.
• Yes, I have basic knowledge of Spanish.
• No, I am not bilingual in English and Spanish.

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