Information & Referral Specialist

Print


Information & Referral Specialist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

14063

Department

Public Health Services

Opening Date

03/21/2025

Closing Date

4/18/2025 11:05 PM Central

Position Description


If you’re looking to be a part of a collaborative environment where your skills can make an impact, explore our current opportunities in creating a better future for public health. 

About Harris County Public Health:
Harris County Public Health (HCPH) includes a network of more than 1,100 public health professionals working together to improve health outcomes for the third most populous county in the United States. HCPH provides a multitude of services such as medical and dental services, community programming, and health education for the approximately 2.3 million people in unincorporated Harris County. Through its core values of innovation, engagement, and health equity, HCPH strives to bring meaningful solutions to public health issues while keeping Harris County healthy and vibrant.


Brief Position Overview:
Under the Supervision of the Business Manager, the Information Referral Specialist (IRS) is responsible for database maintenance, revenue/collection/receipting, customer service, telephone support, and educating the public about rabies epidemiology, the leash law and responsible pet ownership. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Answers telephone calls requesting information, services and other inquiries concerning lost/found pets. Provides information regarding Harris County leash laws, rabies, animal safety and responsible pet ownership.

  • Provides complete/accurate information to callers requesting routine zoonotic disease information and refers calls to appropriate agency when necessary.
  • Responsible for collecting and receipting all fees.
  • Process mail-in and electronic license applications, ensuring correct jurisdiction and appropriate payment.
  • Maintains county wide licensing database for all pets and pet owners.
  • Reviews each animal’s status daily. Update information according to animal release date and prepare euthanasia release sheet
  • Takes and processes all bite reports; documenting all information necessary to locate and quarantine biting animals.
  • Insures that possible rabies exposures are documented and communicated to dispatcher for investigation.
  • Greets citizens at reception desk in a processional and courteous manner.
  • Participates in various educational programs such as vaccination clinics, risk of rabies, health fairs, rodeo booths and volunteer programs.
  • Other duties as assigned, including special tasks involved in responding to an emergency event.



Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
  https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
 If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email 
ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.
 

 This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

 

Requirements

Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent
Experience:
  • One (1) year of customer service experience
  • One (1) year of previous data entry
  • Knowledge of Windows Operating System
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
  • Ability to communicate well verbally and written is essential.
  • Ability to handle difficult situations with a professional manner is necessary
  • Must be able to handle multiple projects with minimum supervision.
  • Must demonstrate a professional image and have a cheerful, helpful phone voice.
  • Must be able to handle multiple projects and be a team player.
  • Must be comfortable working around animals.
  • Must be able to handle difficult situations, multiple projects, be a self-motivator, and a team player.
  • Ability to give attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
Core Competencies
Organizational Leadership
  • Understands the organizational mission
  • Understands ethics and public good; is concerned with public trust
  • Demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others
Collaboration
  • Contributes to an inclusive workplace where equity, diversity, inclusion, and individual differences are valued and leveraged to achieve the vision and mission
  • Demonstrates a sense of responsibility for the success of the group
  • Collaborates with others to improve quality and address needs
Innovation
  • Ability to adapt to change
Interpersonal Abilities/Personal Characteristics
  • Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect
  • Behaves in an honest, fair, and ethical manner
  • Assesses and recognizes own strengths and weaknesses
  • Uses sound judgment
  • Self-motivated
  • Organizes and maintains work environment to allow for maximum productivity
Communication
  • Communicates clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing 

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:

  • Experience in an animal shelter/clinic
  • Experience with HLP’s Chameleon software
  • Previous multi-line phone experience
Language:
  • Bilingual (Spanish/English) 

General Information

Position Type, and Typical Hours of Work:

  • Full-Time | 40 hrs. per week
Physical Demands:
  • This is a largely sedentary role; however, some duties would require the ability to lift up to 20 pounds and bending & standing for periods at a time.

Work Location:
  • 612 Canino Rd., Houston, TX 77076 
Work Environment:
  • This job operates in a professional office environment and an animal shelter environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. 



Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
 
 Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

 

BENEFITS
Harris County offers a competitive benefits program, including comprehensive group health and related benefits plan as well as defined benefit retirement plan.
 
The following list of benefits is offered only to employees in regular (full-time) positions:
  • Medical Coverage
  • Dental Coverage
  • Vision Coverage
  • Wellness Plan
  • Life Insurance 
  • Long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Ten (10) days of vacation each year for the first five (5) years of service
    • Accrual rates increase based on years of service
  • Eleven (11) County-observed holidays and one (1) floating holiday
  • 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 schedule (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
Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?
  • High School or GED diploma
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor's Degree
  • Master's Degree or higher
  • None of the above
02
Which of the following best describes your verifiable customer service experience? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
  • Less than one (1) year
  • One (1) year or more
  • I do not have this experience
03
Please provide details about your verifiable customer service experience. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
04
Which of the following best describes your verifiable data entry experience? (To be considered, the qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)
  • Less than one (1) year
  • One (1) year or more
  • I do not have this experience
05
Please provide details about your verifiable data entry experience. Do not use "Please see Resume" or "See Resume" (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) Please include your (a) role(s), (b) types of organizations, (c) scope of duties and responsibilities If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
06
Do you have experience in an animal shelter and/or an animal clinic?
  • Yes
  • No
07
If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)
08
Do you experience with HLP's Chameleon software?
  • Yes
  • No
09
If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)
10
Do you have previous multi-line phone experience?
  • Yes
  • No
11
If you answered yes in regards to the previous question(s), please describe your verifiable experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications. (Type N/A if not applicable)
12
Which of the following describes your level of proficiency using a personal computer and common office software such as MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook). Please select your level of proficiency based on the following descriptions: Advanced: A person with this level of skills is able to produce very large, complex formal documents that require a table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and other special elements; a wide range of graphic effects, and use advanced techniques for analyzing and manipulating data. Has full mastery of Macro commands and skills to tie the objects together into a cohesive system by using Macros and Visual Basic for Applications code. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Intermediate: A person with this level of skills is able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, embed Excel data, and elaborate reports. Understands the concepts of databases and is able to work with charts and to use the list management capabilities of Excel. Able to use complex query techniques, create efficient forms and reports, and create Macros to automate these forms. Makes interactive presentations by using hyperlinks and action buttons. Basic: A person with this level of skills is able to use basic formatting, editing, printing functions, and understands the document page setup. Has the ability to enter and correct data, modify a workbook, format a worksheet, and use printing functions. Understands the different database concepts and structures and is familiar with data validation and is able to create a simple presentation in PowerPoint, run it, and print it. Entry Level: A person with this level of skills has the ability to open, create, save and modify documents in Word, send and receive email in Outlook and create spreadsheets in Excel. Format documents for printing, comfortable using the printer menu to preview documents. Has ability to change the font, the margins, insert or delete pages and use the built-in spellchecker and grammar check.
  • Advanced
  • Intermediate
  • Basic
  • Entry Level
  • Not proficient
13
Are you bilingual in English and Spanish? If yes, do you consider yourself fluent?
  • Yes, I am fluent in both of these languages
  • No, I am fluent in only one of these languages
  • No, I am not fluent in either one of these languages

Required Question

Employer
Harris County
Address
1111 Fannin St
Ste. 600
Houston, Texas, 77002
Phone
713-274-5445