Coordinator of Place-Based Strategies - (Human Services Specialist II)-DCRS, Local Children's Board

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 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:
This position is responsible for coordinating the overall delivery of the Office of the Local Children’s Board’s (LCB) Place-Based Strategies. The coordinator will serve as a member of the Community Engagement Team with primary responsibility for developing cross-sector, diverse partnerships to authentically engage in collaborative efforts with community residents and stakeholders to plan, develop, and implement place-based strategies that increase economic mobility to address child poverty. The coordinator will mobilize community stakeholders to participate in community capacity building training for the purpose of advancing community-led collective impact efforts and collaborate with community partners to increase community access to resources, services and opportunities in Howard County. This role will serve as community advocate and facilitate efforts for the development of community shared-vision that empowers residents and community stakeholders to affect positive change at the community level. Additionally, under the direction of the Manager of Community Engagement and in coordination with the Community Engagement Team, the coordinator will be responsible for identifying strategic priorities, conducting community needs assessments, asset mapping and coordinating the team’s data collection (qualitative & quantitative) to inform the allocation of resources to address ongoing needs in targeted neighborhoods of Howard County.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$32.95 - $37.13
$68,542 - $77,239

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs intermediate professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes administering human service programs or providing specialized health and human services targeted to a special population; assists in formulating policies and developing goals and objectives; and providing a full range of counseling and referral services. Work may also include identifying and investigating complaints of unfair and deceptive practices and violations of local and State laws; and administering criminal justice and alternative sentencing programs.Include the following:

• To develop a working knowledge of the goals, objectives, projected outcomes, policies, and scope of work which guides LCB’s core Place-Based Strategies
• Engage and cultivate diverse relationship building processes to support the establishment of strategic partnership committed to collaborating with residents and community stakeholders to advance LCB’s Place-Based Strategies
• Ensure processes are developed and maintained which elevates community voice and active participation in decision making activities related to the LCB’s Place-Based strategies including (committees, partnerships, event planning, trainings, etc.)
• Responsible for facilitating meetings, training, and events designed to bring community residents, stakeholders, and strategic partners together for the purpose of developing a shared vision for planning, designing, executing, and evaluating strategies to address challenges, barriers and gaps at the community level for residents seeking access resources, services and opportunities
• Facilitate a process, in collaboration with community residents and key stakeholders, which brings appropriate attention to the problem of child poverty and low-to-limited economic mobility in targeted neighborhoods of Howard County
• Lead a collaborative effort to conduct community needs assessment and asset mapping and coordinate the team’s qualitative & quantitative data collection
• Work in collaboration with LCB’s Coordinator of Professional Learning and Development to ensure opportunities for community capacity building across all levels of the place-based strategies’ partnership
• Facilitate a community-led process for the development of a new Community Impact Coalition to drive the ongoing development and actions of LCB’s place-based strategies
• Supports community events and programs of the Office of the Local Children’s Board and the broader Department of Community Resources and Services which may involve evening and weekend hours as needed
• Participates in activities related to Emergency Management as requested, including work outside normal business hours.
• Other related duties may be assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This job may include supervisory responsibilities.Bachelor's degree and one (1) year of related experience or AN equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and understanding of community outreach and engagement.
• Experience with and commitment to addressing racial inequity.
• Experience leading community driven projects such as asset maps and needs assessments.
• Experience with grant research and proposal writing.
• Experience with data collection (qualitative & quantitative) and able to clearly communicate data to diverse audiences.
• 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 sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to provide information clearly and concisely and articulate stated needs of parents.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as percentages.
• Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to identify needs from a minimum of information.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve.
• Ability to establish rapport with parents, caregivers and the general public.

Possession of a valid driver's license.

Salary : $68,542 - $131,949