Staff Analyst (Writer – Grant Applications, Plans, Proposals)

Job Description:

Staff Analyst (Writer – Grant Applications, Plans, Proposals)

Description

POSITION OVERVIEW



Applications Accepted from: All Persons Interested

PN 36944

Division: Planning & Grant Reporting
Reporting Location: 2100 Travis, Houston, TX 77002
Workdays & Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday*
* Subject to change

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) seeks to create a city in which every resident has an affordable home in a community where they can thrive. Partnering with non-profit, governmental, and local entities, HCD strives to strengthen Houston’s neighborhoods and provide true housing choices.

To achieve this vision, HCDD is seeking a Staff Analyst (Writer - Grant Applications, Plans, Proposals) to join its Planning and Grant Reporting Division. This position will have a great deal of autonomy and is primarily responsible for strategic and grant planning, developing grant applications and related plans/documents, managing required public engagement processes, research/data analytics, and related special projects in support of the Division’s initiatives, priorities, and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Employs advanced written communication skills to develop original, organized, and compelling written material for grant applications, plans, proposals, presentations, and reports; analyzes and synthesizes written material to revise, repurpose, and tailor content for specific audiences ; applies the rules of spelling, grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, etc., and e dits documents to verify accuracy, consistency, tone, and voice; and ensures the integrity of final work products.
• Independently designs or performs qualitative/quantitative analyses and draws conclusions from complex/multi-sourced information , data, and reporting outputs that can build knowledge, support strategic planning, and inform decision-making.

• Formulates new ways to communicate the story behind the data about our work and the community we serve; presents data with maximum impact to drive action and influence change; builds and enhances compelling narratives through the inclusion of well-crafted, easy to understand print, digital, or interactive visualizations that reveal insights and enhance understanding and information retention.
• Independently scopes, plans, and executes special projects; develops project plans, timelines and schedules; identifies milestones, dependencies, etc.; provides independent analysis and judgement in prioritizing situations needing immediate attention; and takes steps to ensure projects are moved forward and tracked through completion.

• Employs a variety of research methodologies; analyzes, translates, synthesizes, and summarizes complex policy or regulatory guidance; identifies and resolves policy issues and regulatory roadblocks; evaluates best practices; develops decision support tools; initiates decision-making processes; and recommends and adopts effective courses of action.

• Represents the division or department in a variety of meetings, working groups, committees, task forces, etc.; promotes departmental/divisional priorities and objectives; produces meeting notes, briefing documents, and/or executive summaries that document deliverable/action items; keeps department/division leadership informed and up to date on relevant topics; and determines when and what items should be escalated for awareness and decision-making.

• Leverages business acumen and broad knowledge base to develop and manage professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders, facilitates/leads small and large groups discussions, and effectively communicates with and/or presents information to a variety of audiences.

• Manages the development of and tracks assigned process documentation including policies and procedures, work instructions, and workflow diagrams; and recommends and implements process improvements, including technological solutions, to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned

Essential Attributes

• Adaptable: Ability to achieve success in a changing, ambiguous environment; navigate gray areas to find the path forward; and quickly adjust to frequently shifting priorities.
• Confident: Self-motivated, assertive, and realistically ambitious with strong work ethic and high work standards, with the ability to work from broad goals under limited supervision.
• Critical Thinker: Ability to think strategically and translate/synthesize complex subject matter, with well-developed analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High-Performing: Highly functional in a dynamic, challenging environment, with the ability to anticipate and remove obstacles that slow down or prevent delivering on stated objectives.
• Results Oriented: Works with an appropriate sense of urgency, with a demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, manage complex assignments, and deliver timely and quality results under pressure.

This is a grant funded position subject to cancellation when funds are depleted and/or contract period ends.

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

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL 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.

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

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

MINIMUM LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
None.

PREFERENCES

Applicants with:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business administration, finance, public administration, public policy, or urban planning.
• Intermediate-Advanced level proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Visio; Adobe Pro, DocuSign, SharePoint; and Power BI; with an ability to quickly grasp specialized software programs.

Experienced in:

• Developing and packaging high quality written communications, with an ability to create clear, concise, well-organized plans, proposals, presentations, reports, and other written documents.
• Performing complex quantitative/qualitative analyses and transforming and visualizing data to reveal actionable insights.
• Managing complex projects with competing deadlines and navigating changing priorities to deliver high quality results.
• Acting in a liaison role and building professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders, public speaking, and facilitating group discussions.
• Analyzing, translating, synthesizing, and summarizing complex policy or regulatory guidance.

Candidates should possess advanced skills in strategic/persuasive writing; research and regulatory/policy analysis; using critical thinking to solve complex problems, designing and performing research analytics and associated data interpretation, and applying intermediate-advanced skills in a variety of technology tools. The person in this role must proactively anticipate needs and have a high degree of accountability and discernment.

**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 relevant to job description.

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 26

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: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/houston/default.cfm or call 832.394.6200 .

If you need special services or accommodations, call 832.394.6200 . (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.

EEO 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.

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
• 11 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

Closing Date/Time: 8/26/2025 11:59 PM Central