Community Affairs Advisor

Overview

Position

Description:

Commissioner Rodney Ellis’ Office Mission Precinct One is committed to becoming a national model for delivering responsive public service that utilizes inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity, and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County.

Key areas of focus for our organization include but are not limited to:

• Advancing more effective, fair and equitable criminal justice system
• Furthering economic justice, equity, and opportunity for all Harris County residents, especially those often and historically left behind by government programs
• Ensuring equitable outcomes in health and access to quality, affordable healthcare
• Fighting for environmental and climate justice that keeps all communities safe and healthy. Equitably investing in developing and maintaining resilient infrastructure and transportation for the 21st century
• Building and defending voting rights and a democracy that ensures equitable representation
• Progressing equity and social and racial justice as common threads through all areas of public policy and public service

As a Community Affairs Advisor, you will be part of a passionate team that serves as the bridge between local government and the community. You will lead regional engagement efforts that empower residents, amplify community voices, and ensure that public policy reflects the needs and aspirations of all constituents, especially those historically underserved.

This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to make real impact through civic engagement, policy advocacy, and grassroots relationship-building.

The ideal candidate will bring hands-on experience in community engagement, advocacy, organizing, political campaigning, or canvassing, with a proven ability to connect with diverse communities. They will have worked with nonprofit organizations, policy or civil rights groups, government agencies, or elected officials, demonstrating a strong commitment to equity and public service. This individual will be passionate about amplifying community voices and advancing initiatives that drive meaningful change.

• Develop and maintain relationships with constituents and organizations in assigned region through strategic outreach (one-on-ones, tabling at relevant events).
• Produce timely and well-researched written reports to ensure that community needs are an integral part of the larger Precinct decision-making process.
• Clearly and consistently communicate community needs to the Community Affairs Manager through weekly reports, proposals, and memos as needed.
• Create and execute regional direct action plans to improve civic engagement and empower communities. In partnership with the Community Affairs Manager, use the reporting matrix to accurately assess successes and areas of improvement.
• Serve as a community relations liaison between residents and the Office of Precinct One, representing the office at community events by presenting certificates and resolutions and/or speaking publicly.
• Serve on project teams to execute short and long-term community engagement projects with excellence.
• Develop an understanding of policy priorities and can communicate clearly and compellingly around policy issues affecting the Precinct One community.
• Other job duties as assigned.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience may substitute for education

Experience:

• One (1) to three (3) years of experience in addressing constituent concerns, or community engagement or outreach
• Proficiency in Microsoft software applications which could include Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Share Point

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of ways to engage communities and perform outreach efforts
• Skilled at initiating conversations with various stakeholders to find out important matters to them and their communities
• Ability to synthesize complex information from multiple sources and develop recommendations rooted in social and racial justice
• Ability to write concisely
• Ability to evaluate trends and make suggestions for improvement of community-related programs

Note: Qualifying education,…