SENIOR STAFF ANALYST (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)

About the Department

Applications accepted from:  ALL PERSONS INTERESTED

Job Classification: SENIOR STAFF ANALYST (EXECUTIVE LEVEL)
Division: PD- DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Location: 611 WALKER ST.
Workdays & Hours:  MONDAY – FRIDAY 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM*   *Subject to Change

Bring your passion for public service and improving the Houston community to our team as an Executive Level Senior Staff Analyst / Chief of Innovation. The work we do has a lasting impact on the future of our city. Houston is a place where the cost of living is more than 25% below the top 20 metro average, and with no state income tax, home ownership is very achievable. As the fourth largest and most ethnically diverse city in the U.S., Houston has first-class access to medical care, recreation, food, festivals, sports, museums, and the performing arts.

ABOUT US
The City of Houston’s Planning & Development Department is a key player in the mayor’s efforts to improve public safety and infrastructure, enhance the quality of life, and maintain an efficient government that works for more than 2 million residents. Much like Houston itself, we are a culturally diverse team that is committed to improving Houston’s built environment. Our team draws and retains passionate, curious, life-long learners and big picture thought leaders who make a difference every day by balancing the needs and interests of the community we serve. We strive to operate as a customer-focused, goal-oriented, and efficient organization. We treat ourselves, our partners, and our customers with respect while placing continuous learning at the center of our operations.

POSITION PROFILE:
The Executive-Level Senior Staff Analyst / Chief of Innovation serves as a strategic leader within the Planning and Development Department, responsible for driving operational excellence, modernization, and innovation. Reporting directly to the Assistant Director and collaborating with the executive team, this role functions as the department’s Business Process Analyst and Engineer, ensuring workflows are optimized, technology solutions are leveraged effectively, and departmental strategies align with citywide objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Process Analysis & Optimization

• Conduct comprehensive gap analyses on complex departmental processes to identify inefficiencies and risks.
• Document and model workflows using industry-standard methodologies (e.g., BPMN, SIPOC).
• Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery.

Innovation & Technology Enablement

• Research and evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-driven solutions, to modernize operations.
• Prototype enhancements using Microsoft Power Platform and other digital tools.
• Act as the department’s innovation champion, securing internal buy-in before engaging with city IT leadership.

Strategic Collaboration

• Partner with Planning and Development staff, City IT technical leads, project managers, and architects to ensure solutions meet enterprise architecture standards and align with city strategies.
• Facilitate workshops and stakeholder sessions to co-design workflows and gather requirements.

Performance Measurement

• Develop and maintain dashboards and KPIs to monitor operational performance and improvement outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with public-sector regulations, data governance, and security standards.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Investigates and makes recommendations for addressing issues of medium to high complexity and/or sensitivity. 
• Assigned management responsibilities on an occasional basis for certain functions, units or programs. 
• Compiles data, produces information and interprets results through conclusion or recommendation formulation.  Develops reports, special documents or publications as assigned. 
• Completes special projects as assigned, working on a wide variety of financial, administrative, professional, management and community issues and problems of medium to high complexity. 
• Represents supervisor at meetings and functions to gather information and to articulate supervisor's opinions and recommendations. 
• Handles highly confidential information. 
• Prepares, edits and revises department policy and procedure manuals. Responds to correspondence, requests for information, etc. as assigned by supervisor. 
• Participates in the development of management and administrative policies, procedures and master plans with both short and long term objectives. Analyzes and reviews management practices and procedures and develops recommendations for improvement. 
• Negotiates solutions for problems of medium to high complexity as assigned by supervisor. 
• Interprets administrative policies and oversees communication with departmental personnel regarding these policies. 
• Participates in the evaluation and design of workflow, processes, various operations systems, etc. 
• Develops technological solutions and systems for continuous improvement programs and other appropriate applications.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 
There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature and air conditions. 

Position Duties

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Requires a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Systems, Engineering 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

Minimum Qualifications

Preference will be given to applicants with:

TECHNICAL SKILLS: (Preferred)

• Process Mapping & Analysis: BPMN, SIPOC, Visio, Lucidchart, Miro.
• Data & Analytics: Power BI, Excel (Power Query, PivotTables), basic SQL.
• Automation & Digital Tools: Power Automate, Power Apps, SharePoint, Dataverse.
• Project Delivery Tools: MS Project, Azure DevOps, Jira, ServiceNow.
• Documentation & Communication: Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint.

CORE COMPENTENCIES:

• Strategic Thinking & Innovation 
• Executive Communication & Influence 
• Change Management & Adoption 
• Collaboration Across Departments 
• Structured Problem-Solving & Analysis

CERTIFICATIONS: (Preferred)

• Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
• PMP or equivalent project management certification
• Prosci Change Management
• Microsoft Power Platform certifications (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI)
• ITIL Foundation or TOGAF (Enterprise Architecture)

**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. **

Other Qualifications

SELECTION/SKILLS TESTS REQUIRED: None

However, the Department may administer a skill assessment evaluation.

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 the appropriate 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 posting opening and closing dates shown. Applications must be submitted online at: www.houstontx.gov.

To view your detailed application status, please log-in to your online profile by visiting: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfmor call (832) 393-0350.

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

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.

If you need special services or accommodations, call (832) 393-0350.

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

EOE – Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Houston is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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