Chief of Staff

State of Maryland • Allegany, MD

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is seeking a Chief of Staff to provide executive management and administrative support to the Director of the Office of Child Support. This role involves significant independent judgment, adherence to agency, State, and Federal policies, and maintaining confidentiality. The Chief of Staff acts as a representative in the Director's absence, ensuring agency compliance with policies. Responsibilities include managing employee workload, overseeing facilities projects, distributing inventory, handling employee concerns, conducting performance evaluations, coordinating leave, and training staff on job duties and systems. The incumbent also tracks project initiatives, ensures partner implementation, and smooths logistical operations. This position is classified as Administrator III and involves supervising administrative staff, planning, organizing, implementing, and administering agency policies and directives. As a Special Assistant to an executive, the role includes program or project review, development, evaluation, and coordination, supervising professional and/or support staff.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
• Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

• One year of supervisory experience.
• One year of experience in quality control review.
• One years of experience in Project Management and grant writing.
• One year of experience in Facility Maintenance or Office Management.
• One year of experience in software systems such as Microsoft Office and Google Suites.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive management and administrative support to the Director of the Office of Child Support.
• Act as a representative in the absence of the Director, ensuring agency compliance with State and Federal policy.
• Designate the workload of employees, monitor work, and make reassignments as necessary.
• Ensure facilities projects are completed for the agency.
• Manage the distribution of inventory to staff.
• Answer questions, handle complaints, and counsel employees regarding job duties, office policies, or problems with other agencies.
• Prepare PEP and conduct evaluation/counseling sessions with employees.
• Coordinate leave of employees, recommending approval or disapproval of leave requests.
• Train staff members in their established job duties and to use the child support computer system and all related equipment and computer programs.
• Review the output of staff services workers for achievement of service, unit goals, and agency goals.
• Track and follow up on project initiatives implemented for the agency.
• Ensure internal and external partners are implementing projects.
• Ensure logistical operations are running smoothly.
• Serve as a representative of the Director communicating the Director's vision to employees and the public.
• Make recommendations and advise the Director.
• Update and implement agency COOP plans and department-wide policies.
• Maintain fleet equipment.
• Supervise the Quality Control Unit.
• Apply for agency grants.
• Represent the Department on external commissions, advisory councils, and interagency committees.
• Oversee and coordinate projects and events.
• Ensure staff are trained in customer service and provide excellent customer service to internal and external customers.
• Plan, organize, assign, review, and approve the work of professional and/or support staff.
• Assist in the direction of the daily operations of a unit or division.
• Evaluate the efficiency of operations and develop, revise, and recommend new policies, standards, and workflow procedures.
• Interpret and apply or oversee the application of agency policies, rules, and regulations.
• Implement new regulations and policies as directed by upper management.
• Set goals and deadlines and oversee the workflow of the unit.
• Coordinate workflow with Administrators of other units.
• Coordinate leave and staff coverage of a unit or division.
• Research and compile information as directed by the executive and may recommend innovative ideas or methods of doing business.
• Review, evaluate, and assist in the development of agency policies and programs.
• Promote the work of the agency through frequent contact with interested groups and individuals.
• Make recommendations to upper management and executives concerning new or revised legislation affecting the agency.
• Develop and recommend new standards, methods of operation, and new technology to accomplish the mission of the agency.
• May work on sensitive and confidential projects requiring discretion and judgment in the release of information.
• May act as the representative of the executive in meetings and conferences.
• May act as a liaison between the executive and agency units.
• May act as team leader for special projects.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental plans
• Vision plans
• Six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date).
• Ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.
• Fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.
• Up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.
• At least twelve (12) holidays per year.
• Retirement pension.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: High school or GED