Senior Staff Analyst/ Drinking Water Operations

City of Houston, TX

$83K — $108K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field.
  • 5 years of professional administrative, financial, or analytical experience.
  • Ability to design and maintain databases and digital tools.
  • Strong analytical and technical skills with resource management.
  • Independent judgment and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

  • Design and maintain databases, digital tools, and dashboards for DWO.
  • Develop and maintain operational reports and performance dashboards.
  • Monitor budget performance and prepare financial summaries.
  • Analyze cost impacts of overtime usage for senior leadership.
  • Evaluate procurement workflows and vendors for efficiency.
  • Research procurement issues and recommend improvements.
  • Coordinate procurement documentation and ensure compliance with policies.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • Wellness programs and supplemental insurance options.
  • Defined contribution pension plan and retirement savings options.
  • 10 vacation days annually and 13 city holidays plus a floating holiday.
  • Flexible schedules and hybrid telework for eligible positions.
Full Job Description
Salary : $83,720.00 - $108,781.66 Annually
Location : Houston
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 39380
Department: Houston Public Works
Division: HW-Drinking Water Operations (DWO)
Opening Date: 08/21/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 1:00 PM Central

POSITION OVERVIEW

APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED FROM: ALL PERSONS INTERESTED
SERVICE LINE/SECTION: Drinking Water Operations
REPORTING LOCATION: Various Locations*
WORKDAYS & HOURS: Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM*
*Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Senior Staff Analyst provides analytical, operational, and technical support for Drinking Water Operations (DWO). This position plays a critical role in strengthening operational effectiveness, modernizing data systems, and overseeing budgets across Surface Water and Groundwater facilities. Supports organizational priorities by developing comprehensive databases, conducting research, analyzing operational and financial information, evaluating procurement and contract processes, and recommending workflow improvements. Exercises sound independent judgment and serves as a liaison between Drinking Water Operations, Houston Public Works, other City of Houston departments, vendors, and contractors. Coordinates operational and administrative processes by monitoring assigned action items, managing procurement documentation, supporting budget planning, and developing monthly KPIs. Researches, compiles, analyzes, and interprets operational data from multiple sources and field reports. Prepares analytical summaries, presentations, workflows, and operational reports to support leadership decision-making. The successful candidate demonstrates exceptional analytical ability, technical comprehension, organizational skills, and resource management capabilities. They must exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, adapt to changing demands, and work independently in a highly technical drinking water environment.
DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Senior Staff Analyst is responsible for the following:
  • Designing, developing, and maintaining databases, Power Apps, digital tools, and dashboards to support DWO operations, regulatory compliance, and reporting needs.
  • Developing, compiling, and maintaining operational reports, monthly KPIs, performance dashboards, technical summaries, and analytical materials.
  • Monitoring budget performance, performing procurement card analysis, and preparing financial summaries
  • Tracking overtime usage, analyzing cost impacts, and preparing budgetary insights for senior leadership.
  • Evaluating procurement workflows, contract processes, vendor performance, and purchasing documentation
  • Researching procurement and contract issues, preparing findings, and developing recommendations to streamline processes and reduce inefficiencies.
  • Coordinating procurement-related documentation, tracking requisitions, supporting contract renewals, and ensuring alignment with City policies and procedures.
  • Maintaining knowledge of current AWWA standards and water treatment best practices to support DWO operations.
  • Evaluating operational, administrative, procurement, vehicle/fleet, and contract workflows to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
  • Developing recommendations and implementing solutions that optimize resource utilization and reduce downtime.
  • Investigating administrative or operational issues, gathering information from multiple sources, analyzing findings, and preparing recommendations for leadership consideration.
  • Tracking departmental priorities, operational action items, and project deliverables, ensuring timely follow-up and completion.
  • Supporting recruitment, onboarding, special projects, and departmental initiatives as assigned.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned to support Drinking Water Operations leadership.


WORKING CONDITIONS
This position requires stooping, bending and/or lifting of items (up to 30 pounds) and/or occasional periods of walking on rough surfaces inside of plant facilities. Occasional minor discomforts from exposure to less-than optimal temperature and air conditions.

This is a Department of Houston Public Works Emergency Management position at the Tier 2 Level.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or a field directly related to the type of work being performed.

Graduate degrees related to the type of work to be performed may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
Five years of professional administrative, financial or analytical experience related to the type of work being performed are required.

Professional experience related to the type of work to be performed may substitute for the education requirement on a year-for-year basis.

LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
None
PREFERENCES
**Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.**
GENERAL INFORMATION

SELECTION / SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED
Department may administer skills assessment test.

SAFETY IMPACT POSITION No
If yes, this position is subject to random drug testing and if a promotional position, candidate must pass an assignment drug test.

SALARY INFORMATION
Factors used in determining the salary offered include the candidate's qualifications as well as the pay rates of other employees in this classification.

PAY GRADE 28

APPLICATION PROCEDURES
Only online applications will be accepted for this City of Houston job and must be received by the Human Resources Department during active posting period. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: or call (832-393-8085).

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832-393-8085). (TTY 7-1-1)

If you need login assistance or technical support call 855-524-5627.

Due to the high volume of applications received, the Hiring Department will contact you directly, should you be selected to advance in our recruitment process.

All new and rehires must pass a pre-employment drug test and are subject to a physical examination and verification of information provided.

The city offers a competitive benefits program, including competitively priced health coverage and a defined contribution pension plan. Benefits include:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Wellness
  • Supplemental Insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability
  • Retirement pension
  • 457 deferred compensation plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 10 days of vacation each year
  • 13 city holidays, plus one floating holiday
  • Compensable Sick Leave
  • Personal Leave
  • Flexible schedules
  • Hybrid-Telework for eligible positions
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Transportation/parking plan
  • Section 125 pretax deductions
  • Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan
  • Paid Prenatal, Parental and Infant Wellness Leaves
  • Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
For plan details, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/hr/benefits.html
01

Are you a veteran who served on active duty in the Armed Forces (United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) for more than 90 consecutive days and received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Which best describes your highest level of education?
  • Less than a High School Diploma/GED
  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Associate's Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher

03

If you answered that you have completed a college degree what was your field of study?
  • Business Administration
  • Public Administration
  • A field directly related to the type of work being performed.
  • A field not directly related to the type of work being performed.
  • I do not have a degree

04

Which best reflects your years of professional administrative, financial or analytical experience that relates to the duties of this position?
  • Less than 3 years
  • 3 years to less than 5 years
  • 5 years to less than 7 years
  • 7 years to less than 9 years
  • 9 or more years

05

Which reflects your professional executive support experience?
  • Limited - Provides routine clerical or administrative support such as filing, basic scheduling, answering calls, and preparing standard documents with minimal exposure to management or leadership staff.
  • Intermediate - Provides ongoing administrative support to a supervisor or manager by coordinating schedules, arranging meetings, tracking information, and preparing routine correspondence with moderate independence.
  • Advanced - Provides direct executive-level support to senior leadership (Director, executive, or equivalent), independently coordinating complex calendars, executive communications, sensitive matters, competing priorities, and high-level scheduling in a fast-paced executive environment requiring sound judgment and discretion.
  • No experience.

06

Briefly share an example of your professional executive support experience that exhibits this reflection. "See my resume" is not an acceptable answer. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A".
07

Which reflects your professional experience managing competing priorities and executive-level workload?
  • Limited - Completes assigned tasks one at a time with limited responsibility for prioritizing competing demands or deadlines.
  • Intermediate - Regularly manages multiple assignments and deadlines, reprioritizing tasks with some guidance in response to changing needs.
  • Advanced - Independently manages multiple competing priorities, urgent executive requests, shifting deadlines, and high-volume workload in a fast-paced executive environment while exercising sound judgment, maintaining accuracy, and ensuring timely completion of critical tasks.
  • No experience

08

Please provide examples of your professional experience managing competing priorities and executive-level workload that demonstrates this reflection. "See my resume" is not an acceptable answer. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A".
09

Which reflects your professional experience in executive-level reporting, writing, and analytical support?
  • Limited - Assists with preparing basic reports or documents using templates or instructions, with limited analysis or interpretation of information.
  • Intermediate - Independently prepares recurring reports, correspondence, meeting materials, or summaries that require some data compilation, organization, and interpretation of information.
  • Advanced - Independently develops executive-level materials such as monthly/quarterly/annual reports, executive summaries, briefing materials, presentations, and analytical documents requiring interpretation of data, synthesis of information from multiple sources, and formulation of recommendations for leadership
  • No experience - Does not prepare reports, summaries, or written materials beyond routine forms or basic correspondence.

10

Briefly share your professional experience in executive-level reporting, writing, and analytical support that exhibits this reflection. "See my resume" is not an acceptable answer. If you do not have this experience, please type "N/A".
Required Question

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