Introduction
When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults.
We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.
This recruitment has been reposted to allow additional candidates to apply. If you have already applied for this recruitment, please do not reapply; your application remains under consideration.
GRADE
ASTD16
LOCATION OF POSITION
STATEWIDE
Please note the current vacancies:
Charles County Department of Social Services
Washington County Department of Social Services
Main Purpose of Job
A Human Service Specialist V is the supervisory and/or expert staff level of work in the field of human service program administration. Employees in this classification conduct studies and analyses of agency programs, procedures and organizations and makes recommendations to improve system efficiency and operations.
Employees in this classification specialize in one or more human service program areas, such as program planning or evaluation, child support, child welfare, adult services, family investment, aging, energy assistance, federal compliance, Title IV-E program, or volunteer program administration.
Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Human Service Specialists and/or function as a technical subject matter expert in a specific human services program with responsibility for program administration.
Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level Human Service Specialist or designated administrator.
Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the classification specification.
The Human Service Specialist V is differentiated from the Human Service Specialist IV in that the Human Service Specialist V has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Human Service Specialists and/or functions as a technical subject matter expert in a specific human services program with responsibility for program administration, the planning and implementation of new or revised programs, procedures, practices and processes, and the disposition of a variety of problems, issues and projects while the Human Service Specialist IV performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.
POSITION DUTIES
Supervises lower-level Human Service Specialists and/or functions as a technical subject matter expert in a specific human services program, such as program planning or evaluation, child support, child welfare, adult services, family investment, energy assistance, federal compliance, Title IV-E program, or volunteer program administration.
Administers a human service program with responsibility for the planning and implementation of new or revised procedures, practices and processes, and the disposition of a variety of problems, issues and projects.
Evaluates reports and recommendations of lower-level Human Service Specialist staff for conformance with the appropriate laws, policy and case precedent and determines adequacy of recommendations.
Advises subordinate staff and other Human Service Specialists assigned to other areas on the handling of special cases involving unusual ramifications or applications of the human services policies and procedures.
Ensures compliance with departmental policies, directives, and objectives in day-to-day operations.
Recommends changes in legislation, policies or procedures.
Participates in the formulation and modification of program goals, and in the process of program planning.
Prepares final reports and evaluations of the human service program.
Plans, conducts, or supervises special projects or analyses of the human service program.
Conducts studies and analyses of agency human service programs, procedures, practices, and organizations and makes recommendations to improve system efficiency and operations.
Consults with program heads and administrative officials regarding policies, trends and interpretation of data and program needs.
Prepares statistical tables and charts, work-flow charts, staffing patterns and organizational charts.
Plans and implements new or revised procedures, practices, and processes.
Assists in the formulation and preparation of an agency's budget.
Performs other related duties.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.
Experience: Eight years of experience, four years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations and an additional four years of professional or technical experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and four years of experience in the administration of a human services program or experience conducting studies and analyses of programs, procedures, practices and organizations for the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in a human services related field at the rate of 30 credit hours per year for up to six years of the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military experience as a commissioned officer in Administrative Officer classifications or Administrative Officer specialty codes in the General, Administrative, Clerical and Office Services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.
One year of experience supervising staff.
One year of experience monitoring and developing reports and analytics.
One year of experience using Google documents and/or Microsoft applications.
One year of experience monitoring and evaluating compliance in various programs.
One year of experience drafting policies & standard operating procedures (SOPs).
One year of experience training staff.
One year of experience briefing Program Heads up to Department-Level Leadership.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience as presented on your application and as they relate to the requirements of the position. You may be asked to complete a supplemental questionnaire. The supplemental questionnaire may be used as part of the rating process. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service is required prior to hire.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS: STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
• Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.
• Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.
• Positions may be eligible for telework.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplement questionnaire to: Attention: Cynthia McMillian, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 142 Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to cynthia.mcmillian@maryland.gov. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.
If you have any questions concerning this recruitment process for this position, please contact 410-767-7199.
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.
As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.
