Continuum of Care Manager (Human Services Specialist III) - Dept. of Housing & Community Development

Howard County:

Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
 
Howard County Government:

Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2024, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
 
What are we looking for?

We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
 
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:

• We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.  
• We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!  
• We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs. 
• As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

*IMPORTANT NOTICE: This position is grant funded and is contingent upon annual grant awards.* 

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position serves as Manager of the HUD mandated Continuum of Care (CoC) for homeless services in Howard County. The Manager ensures that the Department of Housing and Community Development fulfills its responsibilities as the lead agency for the CoC and provides staff support to the CoC Board and its committees. Responsible for managing the planning, coordination, and implementation of community-wide efforts towards preventing and ending homelessness as outlined in Howard County’s strategic plan to end homelessness. 

Responsible for informing and guiding the CoC board through data driven decision making on policies and practices to resolve homelessness in accordance with regulations and guidance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and other funders of the CoC. Responsible for securing and sub-granting federal and state awards and monitoring grantees for compliance requirements and program outcomes.    

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$36.49 - $41.17
$75,903 - $85,638

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs advanced professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work typically includes administrative support of a Division within the Department of Community Resources and Services; supervision over a major phase of citizen services delivery for the department; and planning, implementing, and evaluating program policies and procedures.  Work also includes negotiating and administering grants; preparing budgets; designing instruments for use in data gathering; and contacts with public, health, and social service agencies.

Include the following.  Other related duties may be assigned. 

• Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels. 

• Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately. 

• Manages the activities of the Howard County Continuum of Care within the Division of Homeless Services.

CoC Grant Applications:

• Ensures overall planning, and oversight of federal and state grant programs including the HUD Continuum of Care Grant, Homeless Solutions Program and the Emergency Shelter Grant. 

Oversight Responsibilities Include:

• Coordinating funding strategies of the CoC and the Department of Housing and Community Development, Division of Homeless Services that support the Howard County plan to end homelessness.  

• Well planned, timely submission of all federal and state grant applications.

• Implementing a competitive application process for sub-recipient awards; leading review and ranking activities that analyze applicant eligibility, organizational capacity, proposed budgets, and preparing recommendations for grant awards. 

• Ensuring grantee adherence with all pre and post-award requirements. 

• Overseeing disbursements and reconciliation of grant funds. 

• Monitoring program performance and compliance with funder regulations and requirements.

• Analyzing, interpreting and disseminating regulatory information to sub-recipients of federal and state grants. 

• Serving as a link between administrative functions so that all grantmaking activities are smoothly implemented.

CoC Board Management:

• Coordinates CoC activities in accordance with Federal requirements

• Providing staff support to the CoC Board and its committees to ensure governance and operations are aligned with HUD’s statutory and regulatory guidelines. 

• Ensuring ongoing education and training of the CoC Board and committees to optimize function and effectiveness. 

• Fulfilling Lead Agency role in the development and implementation of the County’s Plan to End Homelessness. 

• Working with leadership to plan and coordinate and manage meetings of the Howard County Coalition to End Homelessness, the CoC Board, and CoC Board Committees. 

• Researching and disseminating best/promising practices in homeless services from HUD, national advocacy organizations and other best practice communities.  

• Preparing regular internal and external documents, presentations, reports and other communication related to HUD’s CoC policies, priorities, goals and funding. 

  
  

CoC Operations: Coordinates the operations of the CoC Board and Lead Agency: 

• Supporting the work of the Coordinated Entry System as Lead Agency for the Howard County CoC and work closely with staff to ensure the Homeless Emergency. Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act (HEARTH) measures are reflected in the Homeless Response System design. 

• Working collaboratively with the HMIS Manager on data collection, analyses and reporting on agency outcomes, emerging trends and gaps in service to support planning effort of the CoC. 

• Serving as the liaison with funding agencies and local homeless service providers, providing technical assistance and guidance on best practices in homeless services, grants management and compliance requirements to funded providers. 

• Ensuring project monitoring and evaluation of homeless response system performance. 

• Works collaboratively with the divisions of the Department of Housing and Community Development to align funding, training and professional development for the non-profit community. 

• Coordinates community meetings and forums to hear from and educate the public on issues related to homelessness; Represents the Division of Homeless Services at community meetings, programs and events. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Potential responsibility for the supervision of some Division of Homeless Services staff members. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. 

  

Bachelor's degree and three (3) years’ experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Masters’ degree preferred in a related field and related work experience.  

• Supervisory and/or management experience.    

• Experience managing and administering federal and state grant-funded programs, with strong background in grants writing and grants administration.    

• Understanding of the nonprofit sector including nonprofit governance, management and financial statements; knowledge and understanding of homeless. services/poverty/low-income housing and best practices in ending homelessness.      

• Project management experience evidenced by strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to multi-task and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Experience with data tracking, analysis, reporting and program evaluation.      

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to interpret public policy and communicate complex technical, budgetary and grants administration details including creation and delivery of public presentations and written reports.      

• Ability to work independently and in teams to accomplish goals and drive outcomes.  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff within the Department, other departments of County Government, state and federal funders, community partners and vendors. 

• Proficiency in ServicePoint or other HMIS software experience preferred.   

• Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse population.  

• Strong computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), database management and spreadsheet applications necessary.  

• Proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services delivery.  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions.    

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries from customers, regulatory agencies, board members, and members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.    

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interests, commissions, proportions and percentages.  Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  

Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Salary : $75,903 - $146,160