What are the responsibilities and job description for the Classification/Compensation and Recruitment Deputy Human Resources Administrator position at Howard County?
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. The County consists of approximately 4,000 full and part-time positions.
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. Ideal candidates will be proactive leaders with a proven track record of success in leading Compensation and Classification programs with oversight of recruitment and selection strategies/decisions.
1. Strategic Thinker:
o Strong ability to synthesize data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
o Demonstrated skill in conducting classification studies, salary benchmarking, and equity reviews.
o Detail-oriented with a focus on maintaining accuracy and compliance with regulations.
3. Influential Communicator:
o Proven ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
o Adept at building consensus and fostering collaboration among stakeholders.
o Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing comprehensive reports and presentations.
4. Problem-Solver:
o Skilled at identifying opportunities for process improvement and implementing effective solutions.
What you’ll like most about working at Howard County:
- 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 functions as the deputy to the Human Resources Administrator for Howard County Government. This is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the following two critical teams within the Office of Human Resources:
- Classification and Compensation
- Recruitment
This position supports the mission of a large county government. It helps ensure human resources strategies align with organizational goals, upholds the merit system, and fosters a culture of excellence. The Deputy Director reports directly to the Human Resources Director and collaborates with other county leadership. The position supervises a classification unit staffed by professional analysts, and a recruitment team lead by a Recruitment Manager.
The County’s system includes 15 pay plans covering merit, appointed, and temporary positions. The workforce includes various positions including technical, administrative, managerial, maintenance/trades, office/clerical, public safety, recreation, and public services.
The role of the deputy is to:
- Work with the Human Resources Administrator to deliver high quality HR services, drive continuous improvement and ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and county policies related to human resources practices.
- Supervise, mentor, and develop team members to achieve professional growth and departmental goals.
- Represent the Office of Human Resources in meetings, appeals, presentations, and collaborations with county leadership and external stakeholders.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Performs senior administrative work, which may include supervision, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes directing and coordinating significant departmental administrative programs, preparing and monitoring complex budgets and performing management studies to effect efficiency and cost-effective operations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Classification and Compensation Team Oversight:
- Conduct and supervise classification and compensation analyses to ensure competitive and equitable salary structures.
- Lead and conduct comprehensive job classification studies incorporating sound market benchmarking, collecting and analyzing relevant data and reporting findings;
- Perform and review salary equity analyses for hires, promotions, and internal adjustments to ensure compliance with equity standards.
- Ensure positions have the appropriate job titles, salary structures, and differentials.
- Maintain and update pay schedules to incorporate pay adjustments (COLA’s, differentials, longevity, etc.).
- Calculate pay changes, impacts, and costing utilizing Excel, and develop data driven reports detailing findings.
- Review requests for reclassification of vacancies and filled positions.
- Evaluate position duties for appropriate levels and position series.
- Advise senior management on position design, organizational structure, and compensation strategies to attract and retain talent.
- Effectively present clear and well supported findings and recommendations to the Human Resources Administrator, County leaders, County Council and Personnel Board, employees and other stakeholders on matters pertaining to pay plans, compensation policies, salary structures
Recruitment Team Oversight:
- Develop and implement strategic talent acquisition/recruitment plans to attract and hire top talent in alignment with organizational goals.
- With the Recruitment Manager, provide oversight of the full recruitment lifecycle, including sourcing, screening, interviewing, and onboarding.
- Review hiring recommendations to ensure compliance with merit system principles, fairness, transparency, and compliance with County policies.
- Implement recruitment metrics to report on and improve the effectiveness of hiring strategies. Develop vacancy reports to track hiring progress and recommendations to assist departments in filling positions.
- Provide oversight of the post-offer background screening of selected candidates to include background checks, reference checks, credential verification, and preemployment physicals.
- Foster relationships with departments and external partners to expand recruitment outreach and increase applicant diversity.
- Provide oversight for the implementation of innovative outreach strategies to attract and expand pool of qualified candidates including partnerships with universities/community colleges, community organizations, professional/trade associations, and other sources.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
At least ten (10) years of strategic human resources for a large organization.
At least eight (8) years of experience leading Classification and Compensation programs.
At least six (6) years of experience implementing innovative recruitment strategies, reviewing hiring salaries, conducting salary equity reviews
Demonstrated experience with the development of pay schedules, classification studies, and presentations to boards, senior leaders, and appeal bodies.
Demonstrated experience working with applicant tracking system, NEOGOV, or similar system.
Must have high proficiency with Excel and working with pay plan structures
HR Professional Certification from SHRM, HRCI, or other professional organizations (i.e., PHR/SPHR, SHRM-CP/SHRM- SCP, etc.)
Public sector experience is highly desired.
Demonstrated ability in problem solving, conflict resolution, and written and verbal communication skills.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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 talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to sit.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and use hands.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
- Traveling to sites, physically traversing the ground, attending meetings onsite or in other offices.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
- Knowledge of principles and practices of human resources administration.
- Experience using applicant tracking system.
- Demonstrated experience with recruitment best practices, including sourcing methods and interview techniques.
- Ability to supervise staff.
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to conduct research, compile data and prepare statistical and narrative reports.
- Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
- Ability to deal with a variety of situations and problems under specified time constraints.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
- Experience with word processing, data base, and spreadsheet software and/or similar programs.
- Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
- Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
- Ability to maintain human resources records.
- Ability to travel to and move around job sites independently to attend meetings, events, and other related work.
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.
