Human Services Specialist III (Program Coordinator Licensed Clinical Professional) - Circuit Court

Salary : $77,417.60 - $149,073.60 Annually
Location : Circuit Court, 9250 Judicial Way, Ellicott City, MD 21043, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 27-00095
Department: Circuit Court
Division: Circuit Court
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 12/11/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION
POSITION SUMMARY:This position is responsible for oversight, program management and clinical services for the joint Circuit and District Mental Health Court (MHC). The MHC serves criminal defendants in Howard County who are also diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness. The goal of the program is to provide judicially supervised treatment plans and services to qualified offenders with mental health needs as they navigate the criminal justice system.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$37.22 - $40.70/Hourly
$77,422 - $84,650/Annually

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs advanced professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work typically includes administrative support of a Division within the Department of Community Resources and Services; supervision over a major phase of citizen services delivery for the department; and planning, implementing, and evaluating program policies and procedures. Work also includes negotiating and administering grants; preparing budgets; designing instruments for use in data gathering; and contacts with public, health, and social service agencies.

*This position is State-Authorized Exempt, which is required or authorized by State law to be funded by Howard County, or is necessary to support the functions of State Agencies which are required or authorized by the State to be supported by Howard County. Such positions are not considered employees of Howard County Government. An individual in a State-authorized exempt position serves in accordance with the provisions of State law governing the position. Individuals selected for this position will serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority.*
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Planning, Development, and Administration
Assist with the planning, development and evaluation of the Mental Health Court.

• Provide programmatic management for the Mental Health Court.

Client Assessment, Case Management, and Service Coordination

• Conduct assessments, screenings, drug testing and risk needs evaluations; develop individualized case plans and coordinate referrals for treatment and ancillary services; and facilitate access to housing, education, health, legal and family services, behavioral and employment services.
• Meet with MHC participants, community providers, and/or probation agents to address treatment needs, noncompliance or other behavioral concerns, and enhance levels of care, as appropriate.
• Obtain and evaluate collateral source documentation (i.e., medical records, mental health records, police reports, jail records, etc.) for clients referred for MHC.
• Coordinate and/or deliver competency attainment services.

Documentation, Reporting, and Court Support

• Maintain timely progress notes documenting court proceedings and interactions with clients; provide verbal testimony at Court hearings as required.
• Draft grant applications, court orders and referral documents; prepare and provide court reports for hearings.

Supervision and Team Management

• Supervise the Case Manager, including reviewing case management work, individual service plans and personnel matters.
• Work closely with the Case Manager to manage all cases referred to the Mental Health Court.

Data Management, Evaluation, and Grant Support

• Collect, extract, and compile data from multiple case management systems. Perform statistical analysis and make recommendations for improvement. Prepare detailed statistical reports.
• Assist with grant management including identifying funding for continued program support. Prepare all required grant reporting.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

• Build partnerships with community agencies and potential service providers.
• Facilitate team and community meetings, trainings, and community events.

Additional Responsibilities

• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelor's degree and three (3) years of professional-level experience, or related education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Experience:
Preferred experience includes three (3) years of experience with case or program management involving social services, juvenile justice, mental health, or addiction services.
Skill/knowledge in diagnosing mental illness. Experience in providing mental health treatment preferred.

Education/Licensure:
Required: Master's degree in social work or counseling from an accredited college or university
Required: Current licensure by Maryland Department of Health at the LCSW-C or LCPC level
Valid driver's license and independent transportation
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
• Working knowledge of Windows based applications with an emphasis on Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of Odyssey, the Court's Case Management System is preferred.
• Working knowledge of Zoom.
• The ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment to problem solve.
• Effective interpersonal skills to interact with all levels of professionals (judges, attorneys, court personnel,
treatment providers, the public, etc.).
• Excellent organizational skills, the ability to establish priorities, be adaptable, and multi-task oriented.
• The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, using proper grammar, syntax and spelling.
• Excellent oral communication skills and an even temperament are high-priority considerations for this
position.

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 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 con