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

Position Description
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.

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.

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 County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
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
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's 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 application's 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