COO/Deputy Director (Manager I,) Grade M1

Salary : $132,732.00 - $230,261.00 Annually
Location : 101 Monroe St Rockville MD 20850 USA
Job Type: Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Department of General Services
Division: DGS 36 Director
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Closing Date: 9/10/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt

About the Position

Please note: The salary range above represents this position's earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $132,732 to $230,261, based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

What You'll Be Doing
The Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer, will provide substantial input and influence on policy to the department director, County Council, the County Executive, other County departments and the public. Regular contacts will include elected or appointed officials of the County government and more frequent contact with their staff as well as representatives and key staff of special interest groups, non-profits, local community and business officials, and Federal, State, and regional local government elected officials and managers regarding matters relevant to the programs and services managed by the Department.

A primary objective for this position will be creating and implementing the Montgomery County Climate Change Action Plan. The successful candidate will have experience pursuing federal and state grants addressing fleet, facility, infrastructure and environmental grants. The position oversees the Equipment Management Operations Center (EMOC) Emergency Plan and acts as lead during emergency responses that require DGS involvement.

As a manager/supervisor of unionized employees, this position has a responsibility for fostering a positive labor relations environment based on mutual trust, respect, and cooperation. The individual selected for this position will be considered an Essential Employee. Essential employees must report to work during a period of general emergency or liberal leave.

The duties will include but are not limited to:

• Managing an annual operating budget of $230 million and a portion of the Department's $2.25 billion capital budget, directing a staff of 448 in the planning, coordination, and provision of a variety of support services in the department;
• Coordinating the Department's emergency operation response team to ensure continued readiness across over 400 county facilities;
• Prioritizing customer, employee and organizational requirements, and maintain and monitor staffing levels;
• Develop and implement an organizational vision and outcome-based strategies that integrate the County Executive's Vision Statement, applying these to facilities and services throughout Montgomery County;
• Advising executive and elected officials on matters regarding property management, contracting, and government-to-government services; and,
• Representing the Department during collective bargaining negotiations and will routinely interact with Union representatives in addressing labor-related matters.

Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in local and state government, procurement and contract administration, facility management, fleet management, four (4) years of which were in a management or executive capacity, specifically executive level management and leadership, budget management, planning and administration, operations management, and policy administration.

Note: The term "executive" is further defined as a high echelon or high-level position in an organization that is assigned technical research, management advisory services responsibilities, or policy-making duties and responsibilities that exert considerable influence on organizational policy, plans, and operations (e.g., County positions at Grade 30 or above).

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

• Chief Operating Officer experience
• Public Administration
• Emergency Response Management
• Public Works Management

• Capital and Operating Budget Management (incoming and outgoing grants)
• Human Capital Management
• Financial Management
• Strategic Planning
• Collaboration and Partnering
• Experience managing multi-million-dollar budget and projects
• Experience as Chief Operating Officer
• Experience in Public Works and Emergency Response Management
• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in local and state government, procurement and contract administration, facility management, fleet management

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
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How many years of progressively responsible professional experience in local and state government, procurement and contract administration, facility management, and fleet management do you have?

• Less than 1 year or No Experience
• 1 Year Experience
• 2 Years Experience
• 3 Years Experience
• 4 Years Experience
• 5 Years Experience
• 6 Years Experience
• 7 Years Experience
• 8 Years Experience