Executive Protective Unit Specialist

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 the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector. 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 Chief of Administration in the Office of the Tax Assessor-Collector. 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 Tax Assessor-Collector, inside and outside the United States.
• Conduct threat and risk assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities for the Tax Assessor-Collector’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 Tax Assessor’s Office.
• Collaborate daily with the Chief of Administration 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 Tax Assessor-Collector 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 travel, at residences, and during public and private events.
• 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

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 or the ability to obtain it before the date of hire.

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:

• Active US Passport.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and drug screening.
• Ability to comply with all TCOLE required training and weapon qualifications.

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.

• The ideal candidate will possess a TCOLE Law Enforcement License and demonstrate extensive experience in protective services.
  

• Associate degree in a directly related field from an accredited college or university.

• Two (2) years of directly related work experience.

• Specialized training in counter-surveillance, tactical driving, or threat assessment.
• Certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid.
• Multilingual abilities are a plus.
• Previous experience in executive protection, law enforcement, or military service (preferred).

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: 

• 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.

Salary : $44