What are the responsibilities and job description for the Bureau Chief-(Fiscal Manager II)- Finance, Bureau of Tax & Specialty Services position at Howard County?
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.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Department of Finance is seeking a Bureau Chief of Tax and Specialty Services to direct the divisions of Tax Customer Service and Property Tax Accounting. Howard County is one of the most affluent counties in the country and boasts a Triple Crown Award from GFOA. In addition, we provide an excellent benefits package including annual, personal and sick leave, extensive health coverage, deferred compensation plan, employer's retirement plan, and work-life programs. The position is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the activities of the Divisions of Taxpayer Customer Services and Property Tax Accounting, in the Department of Finance. Responsibilities include leading and empowering other professional accountants, resolving major systems' problems and developing, evaluating and implementing financial systems, programs and procedures. Requires evaluative thinking and carries out assignments in accordance with functional precedents, practices and policies, as well as developing new methods of completing assignments by identifying and implementing regulated changes affecting assignments.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$44.79 - $58.64
$93,155 - $121,969
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs management and advanced level financial administrative work under general supervision from an administrative superior. Work includes planning, organizing, and supervising the activities of a major financial bureau or assisting in the operational and administrative management of the Budget office; resolving major program problems; and developing, evaluating and implementing financial and budgeting programs and procedures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned. Serves as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders, ensuring effective communication regarding tax-related matters, including billing, credits, and changes in tax law.
Develop and collaborate with PIO office on communication strategies to ensure that the public is informed about property tax billing, tax credit eligibility, and payment options through various channels, including the website, newsletters, and social media platforms.
Review and update county website information, FAQs, applications, etc. related to property taxes and provide content and community outreach as needed.
Directs the Divisions of Property Tax Accounting and Tax Customer Service:
Oversee billing functions for all homeowner accounts which includes, maintaining and processing data on homeowner transfers, assessment changes and tax credit updates according to the Department of Assessment and Taxation (SDAT).
Assist Director’s Office with developing, organizing and implementing guidelines for processing of both new and existing Tax Credit adopted by both State and County agencies for issuance to approved homeowners.
Act as liaison between the Division and technology services with both internal and external vendors to resolve system issues.
Remain abreast of changes in State and County laws which may have an impact on tax billing and collection to make changes accordingly.
Assist Division Chief of Property Tax Accounting with evaluating, testing and implementation of new computerized system which aid in the billing and reporting processes.
Responsible for various phases of Customer Service inquiries related to tax billing and tax credits. Works with several county agencies such as Public Works, Licensing and Permits, Police, Health and Office of Law as it relates to liens, or other legal matters.
Review of customer refunds due to overpayment, tax credit issuance, adjustments or overbilling matters.
Assists Division Chief of Tax Customer Service with complex and highly technical constituent payment inquiries such as in instances of incorrect postings and refund requests.
Determines work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow and oversees the training of staff in all aspects related to their jobs.
Prepares annual tax credit reporting for various property tax credits.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree and five (5) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor’s Degree with major coursework in accounting or related field.- Demonstrated supervisory experience.
- Experience managing complex billing environments.
- Experience in Customer Service environments.
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. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
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 loud.
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, 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 apply advanced mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations. Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.
Salary : $93,155 - $121,969
