Harris County, Texas reviews

Change in management meant a change in environment. Since there were no metrics, promotions appeared subjective rather than objective (I'm sure others felt the same when I was promoted). New management did not like confrontation, which meant no more staff meetings, which meant no more two way conversations about changes coming up. New management only communicated to the masses by email. I went into meetings with other departments, came back to management and express the concerns that were brought up, and management avoided providing any solution and would not authorize me to make any. Made my job hard to go to meeting after meeting without any progress or positive information to transfer. Another downside is that everyone stays here to retirement. Usually, hard to get a promotion unless someone quits, is fired (rare) or retires. If I wanted to get into management, I would have had to wait another 20 years. Technologically behind because taxpayer money is tied up for other objectives. Any ideas for efficiency that required technology or $$ would usually be denied because of budget.

The Harris County Universal Services C-Suite is unmolested by good strategy, good leadership and good ethics. The Chief Information Officer (CIO) who is also the Executive Director is too concerned about political ambitions to make sound decisions to help Universal Services do its job. The CIO frequently fails to be accountable but is always quick to blame everyone else. The CIO hired a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) friend from Dallas who steered them into their trouble and is doing the same at Harris County. The CTO is aligned with the ethically, morally, intellectually, technically, administratively and functionally challenged Chief HR Officer (CHRO). Together they are attempting to reorganize the agency without any understanding of what the departments do, who the key stakeholders and employees are, what their roles are, and how the departments will be impacted. All of the Directors reporting to the CTO were let go or saved their jobs by accepting demotions. The entire C-Suite does not have the good sense or foresight to see the pitfalls in that approach. Universal Services is going back to the future in reverse at the speed of light. Nothing works anymore but the CTO is doubling down with the support of the clueless CIO and CHRO. There is a void in leadership and the employees are struggling. Moral is several ticks below low, employees are on E, contractors work overtime to help and are not paid for it. Employees are frustrated, scared and believe the CTO is deliberately undermining the county. The Chief of Staff (COS) roams aimlessly and contributes nothing of value to the agency. The CHRO leveled up and changed 4 titles in the last 9 months, How is anyone's guess, but why is obvious. Employees who are below the chiefs are poorly compensated. The CHRO's manufactures problems for employees with any combination of brilliance, dedication, integrity and outspokenness. These employees are frequently targeted and are as good as gone even when managers and other staff have no issues and the employee is doing their job. The County Administrator, Commissioner's Court and general public are encouraged to check on employees, friends and family working at Harris County Universal Services. We are not ok.