Posting number: 26-00624

Department: Community Resources and Services

Division: Citizen Services - Admin.

Job classification: Human Services Specialist II - Community Resources and Services, Office of Community Partnerships

Posting type: Open

Categories: Community Services, Human Services, Community and Social Services

Summary

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, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

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 Opioid & Cannabis Grants Manager works under the supervision of the Opioid & Cannabis Program Manager to support grantmaking and funding activities. This position contributes to funding opportunity notices, develops grant agreements and other grant-related documents, monitors and provides technical assistance to grantees, and engages with community members and partners to support two advisory boards. Responsibilities include supporting grants administration functions for multiple grant areas, grantees, and applicants throughout the grant life cycle—including pre-award, award, and post-award grants management process, performance monitoring, financial tracking, technical assistance, and year-end close-out.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$33.61 - $37.88
$69,913 - $78,784

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

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.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

Examples of duties

Strategic Planning and Program Support:

Makes recommendations and supports the Opioid & Cannabis Program Manager in developing, executing, and evaluating a strategic grant management plan.
Helps develop and maintain public-facing materials and reports to support transparency.
Conducts and compiles research as needed.
Provides support and thought leadership for the Opioid Restitution Fund Commission and Adult Use Cannabis Advisory Panel, including strategic direction, meeting content, and facilitation.

Grant Management (Full Grant Cycle):

Pre-Award:

Contributes to and disseminates funding opportunity notices, applications, and guidance.
Provides technical assistance and guidance to applicants.
Conducts due diligence review and analyses of applications and budgets.
Supports the grant application review process.

Award Set-Up:

Prepares and distributes award letters.
Receives, tracks, and maintains grantee documentation.
Develops grant agreements and oversees routing.
Prepares and maintains grant files.

Post-Award/Monitoring:

Assembles information and prepares grant reports.
Supports monitoring activities, including reviewing grantee reports and conducting follow-up.
Reviews and approves reimbursement requests.
Tracks award balances and spending.
Processes modification requests and prepares grant amendments.
Manages and maintains grant documentation.

Award Close-Out:

Reconciles grant spending.
Reviews projects for compliance and impact.
Develops or supports development of public-facing reports on grantee activities and outcomes.

Stakeholder and Partner Engagement:

Serves as day-to-day liaison between the Office of Community Partnerships and community partners/stakeholders.
Provides grant reports, analyses, and grant-related information upon request.

Systems and Data Management:

Maintains the integrity of the online grants management system by ensuring complete, accurate, and updated data.
Communicates with software vendors to troubleshoot issues.

Additional Responsibilities:

Supports emergency management activities as requested, including work outside normal business hours.
Performs other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
There are no supervisory responsibilities.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and one (1) year related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

Possession of a valid driver's license.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Experience managing grants and/or contracts, working directly with grantees or contractors, and providing support and technical assistance to grantees or contractors.
Experience developing and/or supporting partners, grantees, or contractors in the development of performance measures and project/program evaluation strategies.
Working knowledge of grants management best practices and processes; ability to understand and communicate about technical, budgetary, and grants administration details.
Knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following areas: substance use or mental health continuum of care; social justice and equity principles; cannabis industry and drug policy landscape.
Experience and/or formal training on group facilitation and engagement methods.
Experience administering programs or managing projects related to physical or behavioral health, social justice and equity, or human services within a public sector, nonprofit, or community-based organization.
Strong attention to detail and ability to think critically and independently.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to exercise appropriate judgment about when to take initiative and when to seek support.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff within the Department, other departments of County Government, community partners and vendors.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse audiences and partners of various disciplines, affiliations, and backgrounds.
Computer proficiency especially with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), database management and spreadsheet applications necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disability to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret 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 calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

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.

Human Services Specialist II - Community Resources and Services, Office of Community Partnerships

Key skills

About this role

Summary

Examples of duties

Qualifications