Harris County
Description
Position Description
Position Overview:
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office is seeking a dedicated and highly skilled Executive Protection Unit (EPU) Specialist to provide close personal protection to Harris County Elected Officials. This is a key position responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the elected official through proactive planning, risk management, and direct protective services.
The EPU Specialist is a Fire Marshal’s Office position in the Protection Services Bureau and works daily in close coordination with the Administrative Staff of the Elected Official's Office. This collaboration is essential to ensure alignment with the elected official’s schedule, movements, and operational needs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide close personal protection and develop and execute comprehensive security and transportation plans for the Principal.
- Conduct threat and risk assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities for the Principal's travel, public appearances, and daily operations.
- Provide immediate protective response during incidents or emergencies.
- Maintain consistent communication with both the Fire Marshal’s Office and the Principal's Office.
- Collaborate daily with the Administration Staff to coordinate schedules, logistics, and special requests.
- Ensure seamless integration of security measures into the elected official’s daily operations.
- Develop and implement emergency action plans and standard operating procedures to ensure protective actions are performed efficiently and effectively.
- Review and maintain records, reports, summary data and other documentation related to completed protective actions, protected interactions, and other associated tasks.
- Serve as a primary contact for questions, concerns, and issues regarding the security and protection of the Principal and responds to various individuals in a respectful and professional manner.
- Coordinate with the Chief of the Protection Service’s Bureau (HCFMO) to assess security needs and request additional protective personnel when circumstances exceed the capacity of a single specialist.
- Provide close personal protection to the assigned principal during public and private events and travel
- Conduct security assessments, route planning, and advance site visits to identify potential risks and ensure seamless client movements.
- Monitor and neutralize potential threats while maintaining discretion and professionalism.
- Coordinate with local law enforcement and other security personnel as needed.
- Respond swiftly and effectively to emergency situations, ensuring the safety and well-being of the principal.
- Operate and maintain security equipment, including communication devices and surveillance tools.
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the client's personal and professional information.
- Participate in regular training sessions to maintain and enhance skills, including defensive tactics, first aid, and firearms proficiency.
Other Duties:
- The duties listed above are not meant to limit the assignment of work, nor should they be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally performed or list all duties that may be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.
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
Requirements
Education and Experience:
- Associate Degree in a directly related field from an accredited college or university.
- One (1) year of directly related work experience.
OR
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent from an accredited educational institution.
- Three (3) years of directly related work experience.
- Active Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Exceptional situational awareness and decision-making skills under pressure.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to liaise effectively with diverse stakeholders.
- Proficiency in defensive tactics, firearms handling, and emergency response procedures.
- Physical fitness and the ability to maintain long hours in a dynamic environment.
- Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
Additional Requirements:
- Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
- Ability to comply with all TCOLE required training and weapon qualifications.
- TCOLE Law Enforcement (required).
NOTICE: Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).
Automatic Disqualification:
- Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor.
- Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years.
- Open arrest for any criminal offense. (Felony or Misdemeanor)
- Family Violence conviction.
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
- The ideal candidate will possess a TCOLE Law Enforcement License and demonstrate experience in protective services.
Previous experience in executive protection, law enforcement, or military service (preferred).- Specialized training in counter-surveillance, tactical driving, or threat assessment.
- Certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
- Multilingual abilities are a plus.
- Active US Passport
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Regular Full-time | 40 Hours Per Week
- Work requires assignments to be performed during various hours during a workweek.
- The job is subject to flex time, after hours, night, holiday, and weekend work, possibly without prior notice.
- May be requested to work overtime and weekends for special program events.
Salary:
- Minimum Salary: $44.21 Hourly
- Depends on Qualifications
- Based on 26 Pay Periods
- Plus, benefits
Physical Demands:
- The physical environment requires the employee to work both inside and outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions.
- May be required to use personal protective equipment to prevent exposure to various hazards.
- Work requires the incumbent to maintain necessary physical abilities to perform required job functions. Work requires seeing, standing, and walking without assistance a minimum of 300 yards, sitting, climbing, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, talking, hearing, pushing, pulling, and lifting and carrying fifty (50) pounds.
Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
www.benefitsathctx.com