Deputy Director of Housing

JOB INFORMATION

The Frederick County Division of Housing is a growing organization committed to innovative and creative approaches to providing affordable housing in our community. Our mission is to assist in the provision of affordable housing for Frederick County residents with an emphasis on special needs populations, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and low to moderate income workforce households. As the fastest growing county in Maryland, it has never been more important to ensure access to affordable housing options for our residents.

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; full benefits

This professional position is responsible for the overall management, leadership, development and evaluation of various functions, departments, and daily operations of the Division of Housing (DOH), including oversight of multiple departments within the Division. The Deputy Director position performs complex and varied administrative and analytical tasks to initiate, plan and implement projects, and programs; oversees and manages operational functions of the Division; provides high level programmatic support; and serves as a liaison between the Director, department heads, other County divisions, and Frederick County’s citizens and stakeholders to promote maximum efficiency and effective communications to advance the mission of the Division. Supervision is given to professional and administrative staff. Supervision is received from the Division Director of Housing.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • Vesting after 5 years of service
  • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership, guidance and coordination to advance the mission of the Division of Housing and promote the growth and sustainability of its activities, services and programs
• Provide oversight of the Division of Housing’s long and short-term division-wide strategic planning and performance measurement
• Manage and supervise the housing-related program departments/units: Housing Programs, Community Programs, and Fiscal
• Manage and supervise the operational functions of the Division and interactions and partnerships with other Frederick County Divisions, including Finance, Budget and Procurement
• Administer Frederick County’s role as the lead agency in the State of Maryland’s Balance of State Continuum of Care, as well as relationships, performance and reporting of local homeless providers in the local Continuum of Care
• Direct and manage specific elements of the County Executive’s strategy for affordable housing programming, based on the Transition Report and the Housing Study
• Oversee a continuum of housing initiatives: rental subsidies, homeownership grants, repair programs, and County-owned affordable housing units
• Lead the County’s efforts to bring more federal and state funds to Frederick County, and strategically resource these funds within the Division of Housing and to nonprofit partners for the development of affordable housing options
• Supervise the development and implementation of new housing programs and monitor existing ones for effectiveness and compliance
• Manage complex funding streams including state grants (e.g., HCV, HSP), local housing funds (HIF), and federal funds (CDBG)
• Resolve conflicts between clients, landlords, and program staff as needed
• Lead the preparation of the division’s annual operating and capital budgets, including coordination with program managers and fiscal staff
• Review and promote budget change requests in systems like Euna, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and fiscal constraints
• Participate in base budget meetings with administration to justify funding needs, address revenue uncertainties (e.g., HIF) and advocate for program sustainability.
• Monitor, guide and evaluate the performance of staff
• Make presentations to various groups on programs, services or information important to public, county, state or other officials
• Attend and represent the Director at meetings and functions, as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Bachelor’s degree in business management, Economics, Urban Planning, Political Science, Human Services, Public Administration or related field
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in Human Services, Housing, Housing Development, Community Development, or related experience
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supervising or managing staff

• Advanced knowledge of federal HUD regulations - HCV, CDBG, HOME, LIHTC, Emergency Solutions Grant, and state housing development programs
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration (including personnel, budgeting, accounting, and management activities), and the ability to apply them in overseeing a variety of housing and community development projects and programs
• Knowledge of necessary technology, including specific housing program software
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and regulatory requirements governing homelessness response systems, including coordinated entry, shelter operations, diversion, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, and supportive services.
• Skill in managing and supervising a team
• Skill in managing and implementing a program
• Skill in financial management
• Skill in managing federal and state grants, and overseeing compliance of subgrantees
• Strong and effective written and verbal (English) communication skills, including the ability to effectively and clearly prepare and present complicated information to officials, peer groups and citizen groups
• Ability to work effectively and compassionately with vulnerable households—including individuals and families experiencing housing instability, extremely low-income residents, seniors, people with disabilities, and those impacted by behavioral health or trauma.
• Ability to effectively research and interpret complex Federal and State guidelines and regulations
• Ability to effectively compile, prepare and administer a budget
• Ability to effectively utilize and administer the grant application process
• Ability to effectively supervise and direct the work of others
• Ability to effectively access and utilize computerized fiscal, data management and word processing systems and equipment
• Ability to effectively compile and prepare program reports, grant applications and other complex written work
• Ability to lead workgroups, including with staff in other County Divisions and with community participants
• Strong organizational and problem-resolution skills including the ability to manage complex projects and establish priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with local government officials, Federal and State program administrators, subsidized housing clients, co-workers and the general public

• Related work experience in Federal, State or local government
• Program management experience in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program
• Subsidized housing property management experience
• Fiscal management experience in affordable housing programs at the local government level

• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly sit; frequently reach and perform repetitive motions; rarely walk.
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS

• Employees in this classification are designated as Non-Essential

• An evaluation of training and qualifications
• One or more interviews

Frederick County Government is committed to providing an inclusive work environment and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding workplace accommodation, including for individuals with disabilities. Applicants who require reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process may contact the Talent Acquisition section of Human Resources. Inquiries about accommodations can be sent to Recruitment@FrederickCountyMD.gov

Retirement Plan:
A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.

Health Insurance:
County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.

Dental Insurance:
Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment

NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.

NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.