CLASS SPECIFICATION

DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is senior level staff and administrative work directly supporting the County Executive and Chief Administrative Officer by supervising the Office of Community Partnerships and coordinating all community relations and outreach activities for the County Executive. As the incumbent of a non-merit position within Montgomery County Government, the employee will be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. A key element of the work of this position is developing publicly responsive and fiscally sound recommendations and solutions to high profile, politically sensitive issues and situations.

An employee in this class manages and coordinates the County Executive's community outreach activities including, but not limited to, developing policy for creating partnerships between the community and the County government; planning and implementing community partnership programs; identifying and communicating the community's needs and concerns to the County Executive; and assessing, coordinating, and facilitating the delivery of County government services to the community. Contacts are with individuals and groups within or outside the County government, including elected and appointed officials, department heads and other managers, community, civic, and business leaders, advisory boards and committees, and representatives of Federal and other local government agencies. The complexity of the work is characterized by a wide range of activities involving new, unprecedented issues that require extensive analysis.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES (Illustrative Only):

Meets with community, business, and civic leaders to exchange information, identify community needs, facilitate service delivery, and achieve consensus among community representatives with divergent interests.
Promotes communication with community leaders and organizations to improve and enhance delivery of services.
Identifies, analyzes, and develops recommendations to address problems and issues associated with County government programs and community relations, and communicates issues and concerns to County government and community leaders.
Advises the County Executive, County Council members, and other County government officials on the status and impact of County policies, programs, and services and highlights potential problems and issues that should be addressed..
Presents and defends County government policies, programs, and services to community leaders and business groups.
Maintains close and open communication with County Council members.
Coordinates functions with the County Executive, Chief Administrative Officer, department heads, Regional Services Center Directors, and other senior County government staff to effect timely delivery of services and responses to citizen requests or inquiries. Works with department management and other County government staff to exchange information, develop initiatives, and resolve problems associated with County government programs having community impact.
Represents the County Executive before community, business, civic, and public interest groups, and on interagency and intergovernmental task forces concerning County government-related programs and issues.
Develops an annual report on County government programs that impact the community and assesses data on program efficiency.
Manages the budget of the Office of Community Partnerships.
Performs related duties as required.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Extensive (7 years) professional administrative experience in the area of public relations or program management in appropriate fields.
Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public or Business Administration, or a related field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of experience or education may be substituted.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
Extensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of planning, formulating, analyzing, and implementing management and programmatic policies and strategies.
Extensive knowledge of program areas relating to the County government and their impact on the community.
Skill in negotiating agreements, defending positions, and presenting information to public and private sector leaders.
Skill in conducting or directing program evaluation/management studies and analyzing complex policy issues having public impact.
Skill in developing consensus and team building.
Ability to analyze community problems and develop sound and appropriate recommendations.
Ability to effectively communicate.
Ability to work independently and exercise tact and judgment in dealing with community groups.
Ability to promote and maintain good working relationships with management staff and representatives of public and private organizations.
Ability to attend meetings and perform assignments at locations outside the office.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Medical History Review.

Class Established: June 2007