Special Assistant

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) supports State and local government agencies, as well as local non-profit organizations and the citizens of Maryland, by providing facilities management, real estate and surplus property services, as well as security and law enforcement for State buildings. DGS is also responsible for a full spectrum of facilities engineering, design and construction services, almost $1 billion in annual contract administration, and overseeing the State procurement process. This is a Special Appointment position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority (“at-will”). The Special Assistant provides high-level strategic and operational support to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of General Services Business Enterprise Administration, overseeing special projects and managing sensitive issues with significant policy and programmatic impact. The Special Assistant is responsible for supporting the Assistant Secretary on policy issues and division administration through project management, research, and writing, allowing the Assistant Secretary to effectively oversee a diverse departmental portfolio.

Requirements

Must be legally authorized under the United States Immigration Reform and Control Act to be hired in the position.
Must submit a college transcript prior to being offered a position.
Selected candidates may be required to complete and successfully pass a State and Federal fingerprint background check prior to being hired.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) or equivalent advanced coursework in Public Policy, Public Administration, Government Affairs, or a closely related field.
Experience utilizing modern project management software, data visualization tools, or advanced spreadsheet functions to track complex data sets, budgets, and operational schedules.
Proven ability to synthesize complex, technical, or quantitative information into clear, concise executive briefings, reports, and presentations for senior leadership or elected officials.
Experience in relationship management, external affairs, or program coordination, specifically demonstrating the ability to build effective partnerships with academic institutions, local government, or community stakeholders.
A strong track record of identifying operational inefficiencies and successfully implementing streamlined administrative or business processes (e.g., automating workflow approvals, standardizing reporting procedures).

Responsibilities

Provide strategic advice, policy recommendations, and act as a thought partner to the Assistant Secretary.
Plan, manage, and implement large-scale special projects and assignments, ensuring timelines and quality goals are met.
Conduct research, fact-finding, and data analysis to inform policy decisions, project development, and organizational improvements.
Manage internal and external inquiries, coordinating internally to resolve issues or escalating to the Assistant Secretary as appropriate. Responsible for following up to ensure issues are resolved in a timely manner.
Draft, edit, and finalize high-level Department correspondence, position papers, briefing memos, and reports, ensuring technical accuracy and appropriate tone.
Facilitate organizational efficiency by identifying operational problems, assessing gaps, and recommending policy or procedural solutions.
Coordinate and support high-level meetings, including agenda preparation, note-taking, and ensuring follow-up on action items.
Handle various sensitive and confidential administrative and operational tasks, such as scheduling and calendar management, coordinating briefings, invoices, procurement activities, etc.