Community Outreach Specialist - (Human Services Specialist II) - County Administration, OHRE

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 Community Outreach Specialist supports the community relations mission of the Office of Human Rights & Equity (hereinafter OHRE) in developing and implementing programs, education and training, outreach initiatives, and events to address and combat discrimination, enhance equitable outcomes for diverse community groups, and protect and promote human rights in Howard County. Will work within the Community Outreach Unit and report directly to the Deputy Administrator•Outreach.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE

$33.61•$41.45 $69,913•$86,208 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.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Outreach to the community for all activities relating to the mission and purpose of the Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE). Initiate, develop and implement outreach programs, activities, education and trainings relating to the mission and purpose of the Office of Human Rights & Equity (OHRE) including but not limited to recognizing and combating discrimination; identifying and countering structural, systemic, and institutional inequities; services of OHRE, and intercultural competencies. Provide training to Howard County residents, businesses, housing providers, etc. in the areas of understanding and adhering to relevant civil rights laws as well as community and human relations. Liaise with Howard County Police Department (HCPD) on hate-bias incidents and crimes in Howard County. Conduct training for incoming and current police officers on hate bias and cultural intelligence. Liaise with other human and civil rights agencies to provide and coordinate relevant trainings on human and civil rights laws and concepts. Support the coordination of events, conferences, workshops, and fairs related to the mission of the Office. Evaluate community needs and demographic, social, and programmatic trends to provide high quality and current education and training. Stay current with best practices related to discriminatory practices at local, state and national level. Ensure innovation in program planning and service delivery. Provide input to OHRE Senior Leadership Team during the development of annual budgets, along with applying and overseeing grants. Ensure compliance with requirements set by external funding sources including reporting and audit requests. Monitor progress towards meeting goals and objectives of the Outreach program. Provide monthly, annual and other requested reports and data on outreach activities. Develop external communications and partnerships and coordinate services with related agencies. Build relationships with human and civil rights advocacy groups, community groups, and government agencies. Staff and support all activities of an assigned workgroup or commission. Design, develop and update the content of web pages, publications, and social media outlets. Design brochures, fliers and other promotional items. Work with the Administrator and Deputy Administrator in developing publications, including the OHRE annual report. Coordinate and participate in outreach team meetings, prepare all necessary reports and agendas for the meeting. Participate in all other relevant meetings and hearings, as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

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

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Experience supporting programs and/or events related to human rights, equity, civil rights, compliance, community engagement, or social justice. Experience in program coordination within a public sector, nonprofit, or community-based organization. Experience developing curriculum, workshops, trainings, and/or educational programming. Experience delivering training, professional development, or capacity-building initiatives. Knowledge of human rights, equity, civil rights, or compliance frameworks applicable to public sector or community-based organizations. Skill in project management, including planning, coordinating tasks, tracking progress, and meeting deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse audiences and stakeholders. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County staff, community partners, and external agencies. Public speaking and/or advocacy work. Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information and records in accordance with state and federal laws and professional ethics; ability to manage and distribute information appropriately.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

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 and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral 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 quiet.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY

Ability to read and interpret documents such as reports, applications, and training manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of community members or employees of organization. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, analyze information and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of legal and technical instructions and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS

Possession of a valid driver's license.

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.