Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Direct Report
Division: Information Technology
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 9/18/2026 11:59 PM Central

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager, Data Platforms leads the strategy, design, implementation, and operational management of the Sheriff's Office enterprise data hub and integration ecosystem. This role is responsible for researching modern data architectures, managing in-house or vendor-led implementations, and overseeing the secure movement of data into and out of the organization's data platform. The position combines technical leadership, program oversight, and team leadership to build a scalable, secure, and future-ready data environment supporting operational, investigative, analytical, and emerging AI capabilities.

Key Responsibilities
Design & Build the Data Platform

• Leads the architecture and implementation of a modern data platform (data lake, warehouse, or hybrid)
• Designs scalable data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, and distribution
• Establishes real-time and batch data processing capabilities
• Works with the technology management team to establish strong data governance

Enable AI & Advanced Analytics

• Provides clean, structured, and accessible data for AI/ML use cases
• Partners with the Innovation team to support model development and deployment
• Enables feature engineering, training datasets, and inference pipelines

Data Integration & Interoperability

• Integrates data across core public safety systems
• Builds APIs and data services for internal and external consumption
• Works to eliminate data silos and create a unified data ecosystem

Data Governance & Quality

• Implements data governance frameworks in coordination with the technology management team
• Establishes data quality standards, monitoring, and remediation processes

Platform Operations & Reliability

• Ensures performance, scalability, and uptime of the data platform
• Implements monitoring, logging, and alerting for pipelines and data flows
• Optimizes cost and performance across cloud and on-premises environments

Lead & Scale Data Engineering

• Provides technical leadership for data engineering efforts
• Defines best practices for pipeline development, versioning, and deployment
• Builds and mentors the data engineering capability

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Engineering, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
• Six (6) or more years in data engineering, data architecture, or platform engineering, including building and managing data pipelines (ETL/ELT)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong experience with SQL and at least one programming language (e.g., Python)
• Experience with databases and cloud data platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP)
• Ability to lead technical staff and manage vendor-supported implementations

PREFERENCES

• Experience with tools such as Snowflake, Databricks, Synapse, BigQuery, or similar
• Familiarity with streaming technologies (Kafka, Event Hubs, or similar)
• Experience in public safety, justice, or another regulated environment
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks and metadata management
• Exposure to MLOps or supporting AI/ML pipelines

GENERAL INFORMATION
Work Environment & Physical Demands
• This position operates primarily in a professional office setting.
• Standard use of computers, phones, printers, and related technical equipment.
• The ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds is occasionally necessary.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

Position Type: Professional Staff, Full-time, Exempt
Work Schedule: Typically Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Hours may vary based on the department's business needs.

BENEFITS

Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as a defined benefit retirement plan.
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Wellness
• Life Insurance
• Long-term disability
• Employee Assistance Program
• 10 days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service. Accrual rates increase based on years of service.
• 10 county holidays plus one (1) floating holiday
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
• Healthcare Reimbursement Account
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are also available to regular (full-time) employment and may be available to part-time employees:

• Retirement pension (TCDRS)
  • Flexible schedules (varies by department)
    • Transportation Assistance (Metro RideSponsor Program)

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, Group Health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County benefits website:
01

What is the highest level of education you have completed in a specific field related to the area of assignment as it pertains to this position? Please select from below.

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency
• Associate's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Engineering, or a related field
• Associate's degree in another field of study
• Bachelor's Degree or higher in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Engineering, or a related field
• Bachelor's Degree in another field of study
• Not Applicable

02

Which of the following best describes your years of progressively responsible experience in data engineering, data architecture, or platform engineering, including building and managing data pipelines (ETL/ELT)?

• Six (6) years, but less than seven (7) years
• Seven (7) years, but less than eight (8) years
• Eight (8) years, but less than nine (9) years
• Nine (9) years, but less than ten (10) years
• Ten (10) or more years
• Not Applicable

03

Do any of the following pertain to you as it relates to this position?Select all that apply.

• Experience with tools such as Snowflake, Databricks, Synapse, BigQuery, or similar
• Familiarity with streaming technologies (Kafka, Event Hubs, or similar)
• Experience in public safety, justice, or another regulated environment
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks and metadata management
• Exposure to MLOps or supporting AI/ML pipelines
• Not Applicable

04

Employees of the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) are exposed to confidential and law enforcement sensitive information. A thorough background investigation is required to properly evaluate the suitability of applicants for employment. For this reason, it is essential that you provide accurate information in all aspects of the process. The process will end for applicants who fail to provide truthful information. The following questions address information required to start the pre-qualifying requirements of the recruitment process. All information obtained herein will be used for purposes of initiating a background investigation only. Additional questionnaires will be required at later stages of the application process. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin or disability.

• I have read the above statement and understand that by submitting this application I agree to be subject to a background investigation including but not limited to education, employment, driving record, criminal history, financial responsibility, or any such areas of investigation deemed reasonable and justifiable for purpose of employment with the HCSO.

05

Please provide your full name (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name (no initials)
06

Please provide your date of birth. (MM/DD/YYYY)
07

Please select your age range below. (As of today)

• 21 years or older
• 18 to 20 years old
• 17 or younger

08

Please Provide your Social Security Number (SSN)
09

Which of the following citizenship status apply to you?

• United States Citizen (Born or Naturalized)
• Permanent Resident (Legally authorized to live and work in the United States)
• None of the above

10

Please provide your place of birth (city, county, state, and country)
11

Do you have a valid driver's license? NOTE: A Texas issued driver's license is required prior to start date.

• Valid driver's license
• State issued ID card
• None of the above

12

Please provide your current driver's license or state-issued ID number, state, and expiration date. If you do not have a driver's license please enter N/A.
13

Have you ever been employed with a law enforcement agency or correctional facility in any position?

• Currently Employed
• Previously Employed
• Never been employed at a law enforcement agency or correctional facility

14

If yes, please list of ALL Law Enforcement and/or Correctional facilities where you have worked (provide the name of the facility, address and years employed). Type "N/A" if not applicable
15

If you have worked at a law enforcement agency or correctional facility, have you ever been terminated, resigned in lieu of termination, or resigned while under investigation?

• Yes
• No
• Not Applicable

16

If yes, please explain (provide details): Type "N/A" if not applicable
17

Have you ever....? Please select all that apply.

• Been Convicted of a felony
• Been accused/charged with a felony that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation
• Been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor, or the equivalent
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent within the last 10 years
• Been convicted of a Class B misdemeanor, or the equivalent over 10 years ago from today's date
• Been accused/charged with a Class B misdemeanor or equivalent that was dismissed, received deferred adjudication and/or probation
• Been dishonorably discharged from the United States armed forces
• None of the above

18

Please explain your answer below. Include the type of offense, date charged and date of discharge.Type "N/A" if not applicable
19

The Harris County Sheriff's Office has a strict policy on drug usage. If selected you will be required to take a pre-employment drug screening. All HCSO employees are also subject to random drug testing during the course of their employment. Please answer the following drug use related questions truthfully, the admittance of past drug use will not necessarily prevent you from future employment with the HCSO.

• I acknowledge the HCSO has a strict drug use policy and that I will be subjected to a drug screening at some point in the recruitment process.

20

Have you ever sold/distributed illegal substances? (e.g. marijuana, prescription drugs, crack, meth, etc.)

• Yes
• Never

21

If you answered yes, please explain what kind of illegal substance you sold/distributed and the date you last did. If you answered "never", please type N/A.
22

In the last year, August 2025 - August 2026, have you used any form of marijuana?

• Yes
• No

23

How many times have you used a prescription drug not prescribed to you?

• Once
• 2 or 3 times
• 4 or 5 times
• 6 or 7 times
• 8 or 9 times
• 10 or more times
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Never

24

When was the last possible date that you used a prescription drug not prescribed to you? Provide a specific date or at least month and year Type "N/A" if not applicable
25

Have you ever used any of the following drugs? (Select all that apply)

• Speed (Crystal meth, meth, crank, etc.)
• Cocaine
• LSD
• X.T.C. (Ecstasy)
• Heroine
• Steroids
• Opium
• Other illegal substances
• None of the above

26

If yes, please list the substance used and last possible date (day, month, year) you used any form of illegal drugs. Type "N/A" if not applicable
27

Have you ever been an officer, a member or made a contribution to an organization that advocates or practices the commission of acts of force or violence to discourage others from exercising their rights under the United States Constitution or rights granted by law?

• Yes
• No

28

If yes, please explain your involvement and provide the name of the organization, location, your position and how long you have been/were a member of the organization. Type "N/A" if not applicable
29

An Applicant must be willing to accept any assignment or shift within the Sheriff's Office, to include working on weekends and holidays, as well as additional shifts as needed. Are you willing to work any shift or hours assigned to you?

• Yes
• No

30

Submitting a complete appli