What are the responsibilities and job description for the Age Friendly Manager - (Human Services Specialist III) - Community Resources and Services position at Howard County Government?
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.
POSITION SUMMARY:
Working under the direct supervision of the Office on Aging and Independence Administrator, the primary responsibilities of this position are to coordinate and organize the Age-Friendly initiatives within Howard County. The Age-Friendly Initiative will include a broad array of activities and services, to enhance livability for all ages in Howard County. With extensive community and stakeholder input, develop, manage the implementation, monitoring and updating of the Age-friendly Action Plan. Establish the Age-friendly Advisory Committee and associated Working Groups and Task Forces. Develops and monitors annual budget; oversees development of grant applications, contracts and fee-for-service revenue models. Evaluates program outcomes; oversees fiscal and program reporting. Serves as member of the Office and Department leadership teams.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$36.49 - $47.78
$75,903 - $99,389
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.
Act as the local expert on the World-Health Organization's Age-Friendly initiative including an understanding of all domains, knowledge of implementation standards, and overall program requirements.
Represent the Department, the Office on Aging and Independence, and Age Friendly Howard County at community events, neighborhood gatherings, and other community engagement forums which will require day/evening work hours, also occasional weekend hours.
Coordinate age-friendly activities, such as trainings and events, with internal and external partners, including County departments, community-based service providers, and other community-based organizations.
Engage and support the local stakeholder group to share program progress and encourage ongoing commitment and support;
Organize and coordinate subcommittees to guide identified components of Age-Friendly 5-year plan.
Create an older adult advisory council for ongoing input on progress and necessary changes to plan.
Research and share knowledge of Age-Friendly activities across the region as well as nationally and incorporate into Howard County's Age-Friendly plan, as appropriate and feasible.
Work with the Communications Team to develop age-friendly media including reports, training materials, presentations, brochures, event fliers, newsletters, and articles and utilize websites and social media to engage the public in Age-Friendly activities; Support and participate in other Howard County community efforts to become Age-Friendly.
Participate in AARP's regular training and webinars on Age-Friendly and Livable Communities.
Support Office on Aging and Independence staff in monitoring and evaluation of progress toward goals of Age-Friendly action plan.
Complete regular required reporting to AARP on progress toward action plan and achievement of required domains.
Responsible for educating staff and the public about elements of developing an age-friendly community and the domains of livability.
Provide technical assistance and staff support to task force meetings, workgroups, and related events. Serve as the transportation liaison for the Department of Community Resources and Services.
Work with DCRS planner and OAI data analyst to track project activities, timelines, and deliverables and perform continuous quality improvement.
Oversee the OAI housing team to include the SAL program; DCRS volunteer coordination, and opportunities for older adult civic engagement to include the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCEP) program and intergenerational program opportunities. Attend regular staff meeting and trainings.
Serves as Acting Office on Aging Administrator as needed.
May require some evening and weekend work hours.
Participate in activities related to Emergency Management as requested including work outside normal business hours
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Supervises the Livable Communities Manager, OAI housing team and volunteer coordinator. Carries out other 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.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Gerontology, Public Health or other Human Services field with related experience and/or training working with older adults and adults with disabilities.
Master's Degree in Social Work, Gerontology, Psychology, Public Health or other Human Services field with experience and/or training working with older adults and adults with disabilities, in providing information and assistance, person-centered options counseling, and knowledge of public benefits and programs.
Experience in human services programs or projects specifically designed to promote healthy aging and livability. Experience working with data development, collection, collation and evaluation preferred.
Experience with project management. Public speaking and presentation skills preferred. Experience in providing community presentations and coordinating community forums.
Experience developing collaborative community partnerships.
Creative thinker and self-starter with an ability to envision, develop, and implement innovative programs.
Program development and evaluation experience.
Understands the role of Howard County governmental and other private or public programs in aiding the older population and persons with disabilities.
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:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and use hand to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Some evening and weekend hours may be required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, fact sheets, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the general public.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Strong deductive reasoning skills. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.Class C Maryland Driver's license or equivalent issued by state of residence.
Salary : $75,903 - $146,160
