Salary : $85,796.00 - $165,206.00 Annually
Location : George Howard Building, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-00358
Department: County Council
Opening Date: 08/31/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is advanced fiscal and budget analysis work at the administrative level which includes a variety of special administrative and functional responsibilities. This is professional and technical work supporting the budgetary and policy roles of the County Council.

Performs varied professional governmental fiscal and budgetary analysis work. Work involves responsibility for performing fiscal analyses and analyzing budget proposals and the operational and financial results of County programs. Work is expected to be performed to professional and technical standards. Work results are evaluated through observation.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$41.25 - $49.36
$85,796 - $102,658

CLASS DESCRIPTION:Performs mid-management and advanced level financial, auditing, or budgeting work under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work may include planning, organizing, and supervising the activities of a unit; coordinating budget activities; auditing electronic data processing systems; resolving major program problems; and developing, evaluating, and implementing financial budgeting or auditing programs and procedures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Fiscal & Budget Analysis:

• Analyzes complex capital and operating budget requests and related program and operational proposals of agencies subject to the County Council's appropriation authority.
• Evaluates effectiveness, costs, and fiscal impacts of County operations; develops recommendations and alternatives for Council consideration.
• Documents fiscal impact analyses according to procedural guidelines and presents findings directly to the County Council and Administrator.
• Forecasts revenue and expenditure trends, analyzes programmatic cost-benefit, and advises on long-term financial implications.
• Works independently on complex budget, fiscal, and operational analysis assignments with minimal supervision.

Policy Analysis:

• Researches and interprets County, State, and Federal laws, regulations, and policy impacting fiscal operations; prepares memoranda and reports summarizing findings.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation and amendments; provides recommendations on fiscal and policy implications.
• Tracks fiscal developments and prepares supporting testimony, presentations, and briefings for the County Council.
• Identifies trends, model programs, and policy issues relevant to Council priorities; develops policy options and supports Council studies and initiatives.

Communication & Presentation:

• Presents complex fiscal and policy findings clearly and concisely to the County Council, Administrator, and external stakeholders.
• Translates complex financial and programmatic information into actionable recommendations.
• Prepares executive-level summaries, charts, and reports to support strategic decision-making.
• Provides technical and analytical support to Council members in responding to constituent inquiries.

Cross-Branch & Intergovernmental Coordination:

• Acts as liaison with County agencies and external governmental organizations to coordinate fiscal initiatives.
• Monitors State and Federal policy changes and assesses their impact on County operations, budgets, and fiscal priorities.
• Facilitates communication and understanding between the County Council and County agencies regarding fiscal and budgetary matters.

Administrative & Process Improvement:

• Supports and assists Administrator in all functions, as directed.
• Maintains comprehensive records of fiscal and budgetary analyses; recommends improvements to research, analytical, and reporting processes.
• Recommends resources and best practices to enhance the Council's fiscal and budgetary analysis capabilities.

Other Duties:Other duties may be assigned to assist the Council Office in accomplishing its role and responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITES:This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree and four (4) years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Juris Doctor or a Master's Degree in a related field.
• Knowledge of governmental budgeting, fiscal management, legislative processes, and policy analysis.
• Proficiency in Excel, financial modeling, and data visualization.
• Strong analytical, research, and critical thinking skills; ability to synthesize complex financial and policy information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present findings clearly to decision-makers.
• Understanding of County government operations, intergovernmental relationships, and regulatory frameworks.
• Capable of working both independently and collaboratively on politically sensitive, high-stakes fiscal, policy, and legislative initiatives.
• May require certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

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 talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and use hands to touch, handle, or feel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close 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. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to make effective presentations on controversial or complex topics.

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Ability to apply principles of logical or legal thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.

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.

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