Division Chief of Contracts and Security Assistant Administrator - General Services

Division Chief of Contracts and Security (Assistant Administrator) – General Services

Howard County Government is located in central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington. It is recognized for innovation and sustainability, ranked as one of the best places to live and work.

The Division Chief manages the Bureau of Facilities General Services Division, overseeing custodial services, security services, contract development/administration, and bureau-level human resources. This advanced professional level administrative and technical position requires extensive operational knowledge of building cleaning, security, contract management, budget development, and human resources practices.

• Lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of custodial service programs for all Howard County owned and operated buildings.
• Oversee contracted cleaning operations for routine, non‑routine, and specialty services across over one million square feet of County‑owned and leased space, managing contractors delivering over 140,000 hours annually.
• Manage janitorial supply contracts, pest control, and window‑washing services, including invoice review and material usage tracking.
• Develop, monitor, and approve the annual custodial services budget.
• Direct and manage the County’s building security program across ten locations; supervise a Building Security Manager, three Security Zone Leaders, and twenty‑five Building Security Guards (full‑time and contingent).
• Evaluate and recommend emerging security technologies, conduct cost‑benefit analyses, and support training implementation.
• Collaborate with Police, Fire, County Administration, and building managers on security and safety policies and procedures.
• Coordinate recruitment, hiring, and transition of security staff from contingent to full‑time.
• Develop and manage the building security operating budget.
• Develop contract specifications for service and commodity procurements; serve as liaison to the Office of Procurement and Contract Management.
• Manage bureau‑initiated contracts, including vendor performance, spend tracking, change management, and renewals.
• Oversee bureau‑level human resources functions: personnel forms, organizational charts, job descriptions, vacancy tracking, and records management.
• Supervise the Building Custodial Manager, Building Security Manager, and administrative staff, providing direction, performance evaluation, and goal setting.

High School diploma or GED and eight (8) years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or public administration, or equivalent with four (4) years of progressively responsible work experience.
• Experience in project management, facilities management, and/or public sector administration in a managerial capacity.
• Excellent communication skills, extensive supervisory experience, budget administration background, interviewing and hiring experience, and knowledge of human resource practices.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Office position requiring occasional walking, bending, stooping, and lifting up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities. Work environment noise level is typically quiet.

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business and governmental documents; write job descriptions, RFPs, reports, and procedure manuals; present information effectively. Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and problem‑solving skills for varied situations.