Travis County Health and Human Services - Senior Planner, Child Care & Senior Planner, Out of School Time
Position Title: Senior Planner- Child Care, Senior Planner- Out of School Time
Location: Austin, TX Flexible/Hybrid
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary Range: $65,997.32 - $79,335.36 Annually
Come join a new team at Travis County Health and Human Services that will implement the Voter Approved Child Care and Out of School Time Fund.
They are hiring for two Senior Planner positions. One will focus primarily on early childhood child care and the other will focus primarily on out of school time (afterschool and summer) programming.
Position Overview
The Senior Planner’s core job duties include program planning and design, procurement planning, contract management, and performance measurement. The position will also support community engagement, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement for this new Travis County initiative.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This is the second in a series of three planner-related job classifications within the Planning and Research job family. This classification is distinguished by incumbents that typically have increased responsibility for planning, developing and implementing highly advanced complex projects and programs, and serving as project manager, and may make final decisions within areas of responsibility, and required additional education and experience.
Responsibilities
Lead teams to conduct all phases of planning work for childcare or out of school time investments: community assessment; scoping, planning and implementing competitive processes for social service investments; evaluating proposals and negotiating contracts.
Manage programmatic and performance oversight of childcare and/or out of school time contracts.
Design performance measures.
Develop strong relationships with childcare and out of school time stakeholders, local agencies and organizations, and communities in Travis County.
Prepare and conduct presentations to community groups, local agencies and organizations, the Commissioners Court, policy makers and other stakeholders.
Conduct primary and secondary research.
Design and conduct surveys and focus groups.
Perform data mining, analysis, and/or visualization.
Write reports and other documents.
Participate in collaborative group processes and community task forces, working groups and/or planning groups.
Facilitate work-sessions, meetings, and/or groups.
Coordinate program planning, design, and development.
Conduct process reviews and program evaluations.
Implement tasks for assigned projects according to project timelines. May serve as project manager.
Ensure work reflects community planning principles and other relevant professional standards.
Interpret and apply policies and procedures and applicable Federal, State and Local laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
Represent the County and Department in a range of settings.
Work in partnership with community representatives or groups, departments, and outside agencies.
Use computer applications and management information systems.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Sociology or other Social Sciences, Public Health, or a directly related field AND six (6) years increasingly responsible experience with strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research and program development, including one (1) year of supervisory or leadership experience;
OR,
Master's degree in Social Work, Planning, Public Policy, Public Administration, Government, Sociology or other Social Sciences, Public Health, or a directly related field AND four (4) years increasingly responsible experience strategic planning, planning, research, project management, policy research and program development, including one (1) year of supervisory or leadership experience;
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.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
None required.
Preferred:
Experience in the field of child care and/or out of school time services
Experience in social services procurement and/or contract management
Experience with performance measurement
Experience in project management/developing and implementing project workplans
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
Human service systems and programs related to child care and/or out of school time
Community organizations and local agencies
Governmental agencies and relevant policies (local, state, and federal)
County procurement processes
Principles of community planning and group facilitation
Primary and secondary research methods
Performance measurement and logic models
Project management methodologies, practices, and techniques
Grammar, punctuation, and writing style for reports and professional communications
Computer equipment and software, to include Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
Skill in:
Active listening and conflict resolution
Developing short-range and long-range plans
Program planning, development, and implementation
Primary research design (surveys, focus groups, listening sessions etc.)
Data analysis
Policy research/policy analysis
Writing reports, briefs, and other documents
Public speaking and conducting presentations
Planning and facilitating meetings and groups
Managing projects for self and teams (includes developing work plans, coordinating tasks and timelines, ensuring quality work products, etc.)
Effective written, verbal, and visual communication of information
Ability to:
Apply flexibility and initiative to new assignments
Work autonomously with moderate supervision and seek guidance/consultation when needed
Work collaboratively with peers and teams
Represent Travis County on a highly visible project
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with department, County, and community organization staff
Communicate and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including clients, staff, partner agencies, community groups/coalitions, elected officials, and the public
Interpret program and policy objectives to groups and the public
Work in a highly visible position with comfort and grace
Manage sensitive issues while subject to public scrutiny
Respond to criticism and negative feedback professionally, diplomatically, and with empathy
Consider different viewpoints
Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 5–20 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, walking, sitting, repetitive motion, reaching, occasional indoor/outdoor activities, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, balancing, client/customer contact, squatting to perform the essential functions.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.
FY2025 Travis County Benefit Guide
In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.
Credit Union
Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.
Deferred Compensation
Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.
Direct Deposit
Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.
Employee Assistance Program
Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.
Employee Organizations
Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.
Employee Health & Wellness Clinic
Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.
Holidays
An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance
Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County’s current policy is to pay 100% of the employee’s health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:
Dental
Vision
Supplemental Life, AD&D
Dependent Life
Short Term Disability
Long Term Disability
Long Term Care
New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.
Longevity
Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.
Parking
A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.
Personal Holidays
Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins.
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.
Retirement
Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.
Sick Leave
Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave
Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.
Tuition Refund
Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.
Vacation
Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time set rates.
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.
To Apply: Apply Here by 04/23/2025
