Deputy Administrator to County Council - County Council, Office of the County Council

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:

• 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Fiscal/ Budgetary Duties:

• Researches financial and budgetary issues in County, State or Federal policy and law; provides written memorandums or reports on fiscal and budgetary research to Administrator and Council; coordinates development of fiscal and budgetary matters with Council Members, County agencies, and the Office of Law; provides for communication with external organizations and constituencies in development of fiscal analyses, as directed.
• Analyzes fiscal and budget implications and questions related to legislative proposals. Tracks State and Federal legislation as requested; may prepare testimony or presentations related to County, State, or Federal legislation.
• Supports Council and Administrator in the development of fiscal and budgetary analyses and fiscal research requests; and reviews fiscal and budgetary analyses drafts as requested.

• Identifies trends, policies, model programs, and issues pertinent to Council interests; researches and analyzes fiscal and budgetary policy issues as assigned; develops options for policy initiatives; provides staff support for policy studies by Council and Council appointed bodies as assigned; monitors and reports on the impact of state and Federal policy on local government operations and policy.
• Recommends resources to improve office research functions; maintains records and resources on fiscal and budgetary issues and programs; and recommends improvements in office processes, including research and recommendations for the development of the Council budget.
• Assists the Administrative Manager with directing the financial wing of legislative team in the analysis of capital and operating budgets as they pertain to policy; summarizes policy implications of budget proposals; advises Council of budget recommendations and issues identified by organizations receiving County funds or impacted by County funds.

• Supports and assists Administrator in all functions as directed.
• Provides technical support, advice, and information supportive of Council Members' responses to constituent concerns.
• Provides staff support for ongoing Council involvement in ongoing County financial processes, such as review of the Operating and Capital budgets.
• Assists in development and execution of training and induction for new staff and Council members, as needed.
• This position may have supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree and four (4) years related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Juris Doctor or a Master's Degree in a related field of study.
• Knowledge of the legislative process. Knowledge of intergovernmental roles and relationships. Knowledge of governmental budgeting and fiscal impacts.
• Knowledge of County governmental operations, organization, and responsibilities.

• 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 to finger, handle, or feel.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to travel from work site to work site without assistance.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

• Knowledge of methods of research.
• Knowledge of government capital and operation budget processes, particularly at the local level.
• Knowledge of policy development.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining the confidentiality of Council Member assignments.
• Ability to conduct research, to identify sources of information; to read critically and think analytically.
• Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret laws, regulations, common journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, agencies, and others as requested.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts, such as probability and statistical inference, and to understand and interpret basic research, including basic statistical tests.
• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Mastery of Excel spreadsheets.
• 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.
• Ability to analyze critically written materials, including legislation and regulation, and to draw inferences, summarize, and interpret.

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.