HR Articles

Houston Tech Jobs Supported by Innovation Funding

A number of Houston tech jobs are being supported by funding for innovation.

The Greater Houston Partnership recently announced that it will donate $100,000 to the Houston Technology Center through the organization's Opportunity Houston program. That funding will support several tech jobs through the Goradia Innovation Prize.

The Greater Houston Partnership received a $1 million contribution from Mr. Vijay Goradia and Dr. Marie Goradia, for whom the prize is named. That money will be distributed for the awards throughout the next 10 years.

"The Greater Houston Partnership is pleased to join forces with the Houston Technology Center to promote the Goradia Innovation Prize and build upon the region's reputation for pioneering spirit and technology savvy," Jess Moseley, GHP president and CEO, said in a statement. "Innovation is the key to securing the future prosperity and excellent quality of place for the Houston region."

The Goradia Innovation Prize awards a total of $150,000 to local early stage tech companies that have commercialized or are close to commercializing innovative technology. Finalists and award winners are chosen by a panel of expert judges.

The winning company is chosen based on a number of factors, including the commercial potential of their innovation, the soundness of their business plan, the potential for job creation, and the likelihood of significant long-term success.

"The Goradia Innovation Prize is meant to inspire entrepreneurialism, support the Gulf Coast region with job growth, and take innovation the last mile to reach customers, consumers, and patients," Walter Ulrich, HTC president and CEO, said in a statement. "The additional donated funds from the Greater Houston Partnership will allow for larger prize monies thus compounding the impact on the greater Houston area."

Non Profit Jobs in Houston Created by College Forward

A local company that helps students get ready for college is creating new non profit jobs in Houston (Click here).

College Forward recently announced its plans to expand to the Houston area and create new jobs there. The nonprofit company, which is based in Austin, helps to prepare lower-income students for college and conducts follow-up services.

"College Forward decided to launch in Houston because of the dynamic academic environment," the company noted in a statement. "Houston has a history of fostering innovative solutions to education's most intractable challenges, is home to successful charter school networks, and is the largest Teach for America site in the United States."

Starting out, the organization's Houston office plans to offer classes to juniors at Robert E. Lee High School in Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District and at Eisenhower High School in Aldine Independent School District.

The new office will mark the organization's second site, which is being opened as part of a five-year plan to expand, according to the Houston Business Journal. The initial expansion is being funded by:

• Greater Texas Foundation
• KDK-Harman Foundation
• Meadows Foundation
• Michael and Susan Dell Foundation
• OneStar Foundation
• Powell Foundation
• Simmons Foundation
• Texas Pioneer Foundation

This year alone, College Forward expects to serve more than 2,000 students at 14 partner high schools in nine school districts throughout the Houston and Austin areas. Since the program launched in 2003, it has helped 99.5 percent of students get into college, 87 percent of which are still pursuing degrees or have graduated.

City of Houston Jobs from Emerson Consolidation

A local company's plans to consolidate will create more City of Houston jobs.

Emerson Process Management recently announced its plans to consolidate the company's operation ins the Houston area to a single location on Rogerdale Road in Alief. That move will result in hundreds of new and relocated jobs.

Emerson currently employs about 500 people throughout the Houston area and will move all of those positions to the new office. The company further plans to create about 144 new jobs and move 96 employees from Missouri and Connecticut to Houston.

These new jobs will mainly be for engineers and upper management employees, who will earn an average salary of about $98,000 per year. More jobs could be available in the near future, as Emerson is considering opening another building and creating 100 more jobs.

"This is a big deal," Tim Douglass, deputy director of the Houston Economic Development Department, told Ultimate Alief. "An empty building that sat for four years is going to be filled with high-paid engineers and executives. It will have a large impact."

Not only will Emerson's move to the new building create jobs, it also will bring about 14,000 people to the city each year, most of whom are from out of town. Those visitors could have a positive impact on local retailers, restaurants, and hotels.

The company received a $14 million tax abatement from the Houston City Council, which will be used to make improvements on the building. Emerson generated $6.2 billion in sales during 2009.

Houston Healthcare Jobs for Medical Scientists

Those looking for Houston healthcare jobs with a focus on science should consider a position as a medical scientist.

Medical scientists study various diseases and conditions in order to improve human health. They may participate in lab research, clinical investigation, technical writing, drug development, regulatory review, and other related activities.

These employees mainly conduct research on viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents. They may specialize in a certain area to become a physician, dentist, public health specialist, pharmacologist, or medical pathologist.

In order to become a medical scientist, you must first obtain a Ph.D. in biological science, and some students choose to earn a medical degree as well so they can perform clinical work. Medical scientists who have medical interactions with patients also must become a licensed physician. Most employers also will conduct employee background checks.

There were about 109,400 medical scientists throughout the nation during 2008, and that number is expected to grow by 40 percent by 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Around 31 percent of medical scientists work for scientific research and development services firms, while 27 percent work in educational services, 13 percent work in pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, and 10 percent work in hospitals.

Employment of medical scientists in the Houston area is anticipated to increase from 2,650 workers during 2006 to 3,600 workers by 2016, resulting in 950 additional jobs and an overall growth rate of 35.8 percent, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Throughout Texas as a whole, employment of medical scientists should grow from 8,050 workers during 2006 to 10,600 workers by 2016, accounting for 2,550 additional jobs and an overall increase of 31.7 percent.

The top industries that employ medical scientists in the Houston area include:

• Colleges, universities, and professional schools - 35.61 percent
• Scientific research and development services - 26.4 percent
• Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing - 11.85 percent
• Specialty hospitals, except psychiatric and substance abuse - 10.4 percent
• Offices of physicians - 3.02 percent
• Federal government, except education - 2.71 percent
• Computer systems design and related services - 2.21 percent

During 2009, the average wage for medical scientists in the Houston area was $26.13 per hour, while the average wage across Texas was $30.95 per hour and the average wage throughout the nation was $40.75 per hour.

Houston Tech Jobs for Environmental Engineering Technicians

There will be a good amount of Houston tech jobs (Click here) available for environmental engineering technicians in the near future.

Environmental engineering technicians typically work with environmental engineers and scientists to develop new ways and technologies that can be used to prevent, control, or fix environmental problems. They also inspect and maintain air pollution and recycling equipment.

Most employers prefer to hire applicants who have at least an associate degree or other post-secondary training in engineering technology. Attending a school accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology may increase your chances of being hired.

There were about 497,300 engineering technicians throughout the nation during 2008, and about 21,200 of those were environmental engineering technicians, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Employment should grow by a whopping 30 percent by 2018.

In the Gulf Coast area, where Houston is located, employment is expected to increase from 550 workers during 2006 to 700 workers by 2016. That will result in 150 additional jobs and an overall growth rate of 27.3 percent, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.

Employment of environmental engineering technicians throughout Texas as a whole is anticipated to grow from 1,550 workers during 2006 to 1,900 workers by 2016, accounting for 350 additional jobs and an overall increase of 22.6 percent.

The top industries that employ environmental engineering technicians in the Gulf Coast area are:

• Architectural, engineering, and related services - 43.75 percent
• Remediation and other waste management services - 10.24 percent
• Management, scientific and technical consulting services - 10.06 percent
• Electric power generation, transmission and distribution - 6.65 percent
• Petroleum and coal products manufacturing - 3.5 percent
• Oil and gas extraction - 2.89 percent
• Agriculture, construction, and mining machinery manufacturing - 2.89 percent
• Other specialty trade contractors - 2.63 percent
• Scientific research and development services - 2.54 percent

During 2009, environmental engineering technicians in the Gulf Coast area earned an average wage of $24.38 per hour, while those across Texas earned an average wage of $22.87 per hour and those throughout the nation earned an average wage of $21.99 per hour.

Houston Jobs for Youth this Summer

Younger residents who are looking for Houston jobs (Click here) this summer now have more options.

The City of Houston currently has 600 jobs available for youth and young adults through the 2010 Summer Jobs for Youth Program, which is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The program will help to provide new summer opportunities for youth to find employment and gain valuable work skills as well as career training, resume building, and work skills development. Positions to be offered include:

• Recreation assistants and park maintenance aides with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department
  
• Library clerks and digital inclusion project assistants with the Houston Public Library
• Interns and office assistants with the Houston Planning and Development Department, Department of Public Works and Engineering, and Department of Health and Human Services
• Semi-skilled laborer assistants and mechanical associate interns with Solid Waste

Anyone who is 16 to 24-years old and meets certain state and federal requirements may apply to the program. Those accepted will be asked to work 30 to 35 hours per week for six to eight weeks and will earn about $2,300. Most of the positions begin by June 1.

Anyone interested can visit any of the Workforce Solutions Career Offices in the Houston area between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday or call (888) 469-5627 to speak with an employment counselor.

These positions should add to the Houston area's improving economy.

During March, the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown area's unemployment rate remained at 8.5 percent for the second month in a row, following a decrease from 8.8 percent during February. The area's rate was lower than the national average at the time of 9.7 percent.

The Houston area had a total non-farm employment of 2,506,700 workers during March, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 2,491,900 workers during February, but a 2.3 percent decrease from last year.