Salary : $67,199.00 - $129,361.00 AnnuallyLocation : Columbia, MDJob Type: Full TimeJob Number: 25-00342Department: PoliceOpening Date: 11/25/2024Closing Date: 12/9/2024 11:59 PM EasternPOSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION 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 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:This is a professional level fiscal position responsible for supporting the activities and functions of the Howard County Police Department, Budget Fiscal Section. Incumbent assists in a variety of accounting tasks, including the preparation and coordination of financial transactions and accounts payable processing; grant management and reporting; reconciling accounts; and assisting in the preparation of departmental budgets. The work includes daily contact with employees throughout the department, vendors, and other governmental agencies.THE STARTING SALARY IS $67,199 ANNUALLY/$32,31 HOURLY- Length of hiring process: Hiring process will take 2-4 months.- Steps of the process: For most civilian positions, the process is as follows if advancing through: application, interview, background, selection, pre-employment drug screening.CLASS DESCRIPTION:Performs professional level financial administrative work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes examining financial activities and operational programs of County agencies; planning and supervising the utility billing and collection section within the Department of Finance; performing financial and management studies of a routine nature; and participating in audits to determine the adequacy of internal control and the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.Learns and performs all essential job functions accurately. Monitors and manages Police Department spending against the approved budget through the County SAP financial system. Research, review, and prepare Policy & Procedures for matters pertaining to fiscal operations. Works closely with the County Auditors Office, Office of Finance, and Office of Law regarding approved procedures for the handling of funds. Processes accounts payable, accounts receivable and orders for goods and services. Assists in the preparation of grant funding requests, prepares quarterly grant reports and administers grant funds. Assists in the preparation of the department's annual budget.Assists in the preparation of grant funding requests, prepares quarterly grant reports and administers grant funds. Processes training and travel arrangements for departmental personnel. Reconciles accounts in the Special Program Revenue Fund. Ensures all financial reporting and processing deadlines are met. Establishes and monitors the implementation and maintenance of accounting control procedures. Resolves accounting discrepancies and irregularities. Provides recommendations for improving the section's operations. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:This job has no supervisory responsibility. MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:Bachelor's Degree with major course work in Accounting and two years related experience.Certified Public Accountant.Strong computer literacy, especially with Microsoft Office Suite.Working knowledge of SAP ERP and COGNOS.General ledger knowledge, including account reconciliation and forecasting.Knowledge of budget preparation including projections and justifications.Ability to prepare and present ideas in a clear and concise manner, both orally and in writing.Skill in making varied mathematical computations with speed and accuracy. 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 frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, 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 moderate. LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or government 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 define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of 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 ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (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 . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources. GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays:New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $1500 contingent upon County funding.LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, universal life insurance, and discounted auto/homeowner's insurance programs.CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.01 Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The submitted electronic document must outline accurate dates to include (month and year) in association with each work history entry. Vague descriptions of experience will not be considered. Please include all pertinent experience in your application to include, full or part time, volunteer, military, acting capacity, or any other such work history that is applicable to the position for which you wish to be considered. Descriptions of duties that state see resume will negatively impact your candidacy as resumes cannot be substituted in lieu of a completed application. Applicants will not be contacted for clarification or additional information.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
02 Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree with major course work in Accounting or a related field of study?
03 Do you possess one (1) year of experience supporting the activities and functions of a budget/fiscal office?
04 If you possess one (1) year of experience supporting the activities and functions of a budget/fiscal office, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 05 Do you possess experience reconciling accounts and resolving accounting discrepancies and irregularities?
06 If you possess experience reconciling accounts and resolving accounting discrepancies and irregularities, please explain how you obtained this experience.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 07 Do you possess general ledger knowledge to include forecasting a budget?
08 if you possess general ledger knowledge to include forecasting a budget, please explain how you obtained this experience.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 09 Do you possess professional experience working with department operational budgets? Of the options choices outlined below, please select the option that most closely reflects your skill set.
- Yes, I have experience managing budgets to include: tracking expenditures, generating reports, and analyzing budgetary trends to forecast fund surplus or shortage.
- Yes, I have experience overseeing the development and management of budgets to include: the allocation funds, administering expenditure controls, and analyzing budgetary trends.
- Yes, I have experience tracking budgetary expenditures, and generating budget related reports.
- No, I do not have professional experience working with department budgets.
10 Do you possess experience working in an Enterprise Resource Planning System (ERP) specifically SAP and COGNOS?
11 If you possess experience working in an ERP system, specifically SAP and COGNOS, please where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 12 Do you possess any professional experience managing grant funding? Of the choices provided below, please select the option that most closely reflects your professional experience.
- Yes, I have assisted with the tracking and/or allocation of grant funds.
- Yes, I have acquired, tracked, allocated, and disseminated grant funds.
- Yes, I have supervised the acquisition, tracking, allocation, and dissemination of grant funding.
- No, I have no experience with grant funding.
13 Please describe any experience you possess processing training and travel arrangements. If you do not possess experience, please indicate N/A (Not Applicable).
Be advised that See Resume is not an adequate response. 14 How did you hear about this position?
- NEOGOV/GOVT Jobs
- Linked In
- Maryland Association of Counties
- National Association of Counties
- CEAM
- ASCE
- Indeed
- Employee Referral
- Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA)
- Handshake
- Career Fair
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
- International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
- Insight Global
- Other
15 If you indicated Job Fair or Other in the previous question, please indicate which job fair you attended and specifically how you became aware of this position. Otherwise, indicate N/A (Not Applicable). 16 Which of the following best describes your level of proficiency with Microsoft Office?
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- None
17 Are you a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)?
18 Do you possess a valid Driver's License?
19 I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit www.governmentjobs.com, click on the career seekers link, and follow the prompts.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
20 I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
Required Question