Salary : $75,903.00 - $146,160.00 Annually
Location : Columbia, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: Department: County Administration
Opening Date: 07/28/2025
POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION Howard County: Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with the excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government: Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, best practices and sustainability. It is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) - the most awards in the state of Maryland, and the fifth highest in the nation, as compared to more than 3000 counties. NACo Achievement Awards are the premier national honor to recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policy making.
What are we looking for? We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government: - We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Office of Human Resources is seeking a highly skilled Classification & Compensation Analyst to assist in the administration of the classification and compensation programs for Howard County under the direction of the Chief of Classification & Compensation.
The position will perform various classification and compensation work including but not limited to participating in job evaluation projects such as the County-wide classification and compensation study; conducting ad-hoc studies (classification studies, salary analysis, development of new classification and/or job descriptions, etc.) and market analysis for a variety of compensation and classification-related subjects; conducting salary analysis and various other compensation data analysis; processes classification and compensation actions using various systems including HRIS and in-house position management system; ensuring compliance with the County Charter, Code, guidelines, and policies; and assists in recommending and drafting new policies and guidelines as needed.
The position will also assist with proposed changes to job classification plans, compensation structures, collective bargaining agreements, business processes and systems, preparing and maintaining official documents for publication and distribution, including the Howard County Pay Plan, Classification Plan, and Pay Schedules.
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Performs intermediate professional level administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes administrative support of a functional program and professional level analysis and coordination of functional office programs and activities.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Conducting position classification studies, including analysis of written documentation; conducting online and on-site interviews with incumbents, supervisors, and/or managers as needed to clarify and verify data pertaining to classification studies; and reviewing organizational structures to determine appropriate class and salary levels according to County compensation guidelines and policy.
- Conducting various compensation reviews and analyses ensuring internal pay equity.
- Evaluating position descriptions submitted by County departments for conformity with the requirements of the applicable classification and maintaining approved revisions within the NeoGov applicant tracking system database.
- Participating in multiple classification and compensation ad hoc projects at both the Office of Human Resources and County-wide levels.
- Creating and maintaining HR Classification and Compensation governance guides.
- Preparing new or revising existing job class descriptions and specifications.
- Revising, updating, and maintaining official classification and compensation reference documents (e.g., Pay Plan, Classification Plan, and salary schedules) for publication and distribution.
- Monitoring, tracking, and reporting Class&Comp study completion and recommendation data.
- Analyzing Class & Comp project study outcomes to evaluate consultant recommendations and to assist in creating short and long-range plans for their implementation; assisting with position management, control, and making recommendations regarding position allocation.
- Developing presentations on recommendations of the study and other classification areas identified by the Chief of Classification and Compensation Division.
- Present classification and compensation and related findings and analysis recommendations to management, leadership, and other stakeholders.
- Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: - Bachelor's degree in industrial/organizational psychology, human resource management, or related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience conducting job analysis and evaluation, reclassifications, and compensation work for a large government organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.
- The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
- The employee must be able to travel independently to attend meetings, events, and to perform other job-related functions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY: - Knowledge and aptitude in the areas of compensation merit planning and administration, compensation survey methodology and participation, analysis of base pay and incentive design and programs, and job evaluation.
- Strong analytical, critical thinking, presentation and writing skills.
- Ability to conduct research, compile data and prepare statistical and narrative reports.
- Strong data analysis and office software (Excel, Access, Word, Power Point) skills and ability to quickly obtain proficiency with enterprise applications, systems, and reporting tools.
- Skill in leading compensation design processes and in leading organization-wide initiatives involving analysis and validation of large and complex dataset.
- Thorough knowledge of labor laws and HR-related court decisions as they relate to compensation, and their impact on the County's compensation policy and practice
- Considerable knowledge of local government laws, rules, regulations, and practices, particularly those governing the administration of compensation programs.
- Broad HR knowledge in addition to compensation and classification (i.e., knowledge of recruitment and staffing, labor-management relations, training, and benefits practices).
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of executives and leadership members, managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to solve problems and take initiative on any issues that arises within the assigned work area.
- Ability to travel to and move around job sites independently to attend/conduct meetings, trainings, and provide assistance to field personnel.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history.
No paper applications will be accepted. Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation ( County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at . Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application. The following is a summary of the benefits available to Howard County employees who hold full-time benefit-eligible positions. Employees in positions covered by a bargaining agreement should consult their union contract for other specific benefits. Additional details are also available in the Employee Manual and in summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources or at
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PLAN: Under the County's flexible benefits plan called CountyFlex, employees may elect to enroll in medical insurance plans, dental insurance plans, optional life insurance, dependent life insurance, and healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts. Employee contributions to these benefits are made on a pre-tax basis. Information concerning enrollment options, plan rates and a benefits comparison chart are available in the Office of Human Resources.
GROUP TERM LIFE INSURANCE: Employees receive a group term life insurance benefit equal to 2 times their annual salary at no cost. Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is included. The County pays the entire cost for this benefit. Employees may purchase additional coverage under the CountyFlex benefits plan.
PAID LEAVE BENEFITS: Annual and Disability Leaves are accrued over 24 pay periods each year. Personal leave is credited on January 1st each year. Use of Annual, Disability and/or Personal Leave requires supervisory approval.
ANNUAL LEAVE: During the first 5 years of employment, employees accrue the equivalent of 13 days per year. From years 6 through 10, the accrual is the equivalent of 16 days per year. From years 11 through 20, the accrual is the equivalent of 19 days per year. From year 21 on, the accrual is the equivalent of 21 days per year. Annual leave may not be used during the first 6 months of employment. A maximum of 40 days may be carried over from one fiscal year to the next.
DISABILITY LEAVE: Employees accrue the equivalent of 1 day per month (12 days per year). There is no maximum accrual. This leave may be used for the disabling illness/injury of the employee, spouse or minor child or for a serious medical condition approved under F.M.L.A. Absences of over 3 days must be substantiated by a physician's certificate.
PERSONAL LEAVE: Employees receive 6 personal leave days each calendar year to be taken during the calendar year. Employees hired after April 30th receive 4 days of personal leave that year; those hired after August 31st receive 2 days; and those hired after November 30th receive no personal leave for that year. Personal leave may not be carried over.
HOLIDAYS: Employees are paid for the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King Day; President's Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Juneteenth; Independence Day; Labor Day; Columbus Day; Veteran's Day; Thanksgiving Day; Friday after Thanksgiving Day; Christmas Day.
OTHER PAID LEAVE: Other paid leave will be granted for approved jury duty, military leave, bereavement leave and official leave. Unpaid leave will be granted in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act.
RETIREMENT: Howard County sponsors a defined benefit plan for its employees. participation in the plan is mandatory. Employees are required to make contributions to the plan, which are taken on a pre-tax basis. Contribution rates are dependent upon the plan in which the employee participates (general plan, or police and fire plan). The County contributes an additional percentage sufficient to ensure that each plan is adequately funded. Complete details are available in the summary plan descriptions which are available in the Office of Human Resources.Howard County Retirement Plan: Employees contribute 3% of salary to the plan. Sheriff Deputies hired after 7/1/2021 contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan. All eligible Corrections Employees must enroll in the Corrections Employees Enhanced Benefit and must contribute 8.5% of salary to the plan.Howard County Police and Fire Employees' Retirement Plan: Sworn police officers and career firefighters must participate in this plan. Police employees contribute 11.6% of salary and Fire employees contribute 7.7% of salary to the plan.
SOCIAL SECURITY: Participation is mandatory. Employees contribute at the current established rate.
457(b) DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN: Employees are eligible to participate in an IRS 457(b) deferred compensation program. This plan allows employees to defer a portion of their income on a pre-tax basis. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction on a tax deferred basis.
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Employees experiencing problems that affect their personal lives and job performance may take advantage of confidential assessment and referral services.
EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE: Employees may apply for reimbursement for tuition costs after completion of 6 months of employment. Prior course approval is required. The maximum annual reimbursement is $2500 contingent upon County funding.
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE : Employees who have worked for the county for at least twelve (12) months are eligible for twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the qualifying birth of a child, or the placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care. Leave must be used within the 12 months following the birth or placement.
LONG TERM DISABILITY BENEFITS: Employees who have completed 6 months of service are enrolled in the LTD plan. After 6 months of disability, plan may pay 60% of base monthly pay up to $2500 per month. The County pays the entire cost of this benefit.
DISABILITY LEAVE BANK: Employees have established a Disability Leave Bank to which employees may donate disability leave in order to be eligible to receive salary and benefit protection when they are absent due to a serious disabling illness or injury and have exhausted all accrued leave. Employees are eligible to join the Bank after having completed 1 year of employment. Administration of the Bank, including the review and approval of claims for grants of time, is handled in accordance with the Bank's Rules and Regulations which are available in the Office of Human Resources.
VOLUNTARY BENEFIT OPTIONS: Employees may elect to enroll in long term care insurance, critical illness insurance, short term disability income protection, and universal life insurance.
CREDIT UNION: Employees may participate in the Tower Federal Credit Union through payroll deductions. Loans are also available to qualified applicants.
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The supplemental questions are a very important first step in our screening process. Therefore, you are required to complete these questions so that we may initially determine your eligibility for this position. A lack of detail and explanation in the supplemental questions and in your application may result in failure or disqualification for this position. This means you will be ineligible for further consideration in this recruitment process.Please check "yes" to show that you have read and understand this statement.
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Do you possess a Bachelor's Degree in Human Resources Management or a related field of study?
03
Do you possess two (2) years of performing intermediate professional level work assisting in the development and administration of classification and compensation programs?
04
If you possess two (2) years of performing intermediate professional level work assisting in the development and administration of classification and compensation programs, please explain where you acquired this experience include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 05
Do you possess knowledge of public sector Human Resources theory and practice particularly as they pertain to the interrelationship between position classification and recruitment/staffing processes?
06
Describe your knowledge of public sector Human Resources theory and practice, particularly as they pertain to the interrelationship between position classification and recruitment/staffing processes; please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 07
Do you possess experience interviewing and developing accurate information from various sources?
08
Describe your experience interviewing and developing accurate information from various sources; please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 09
Do you possess experience developing, presenting and defending findings and recommendations to all levels of management and before a third party or public body?
10
Describe your experience developing, presenting and defending findings and recommendations to all levels of management and before a third party or public body, please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 11
Do you possess experience researching various pay and compensation issues, documenting findings and providing them to those in need of the information?
12
Describe your experience researching various pay and compensation issues, documenting findings and providing them to those in need of the information; please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 13
Do you possess experience applying spreadsheets, data bases and other software specific to salary administration and classification?
14
Describe your experience applying spreadsheets, data bases and other software specific to salary administration and classification; please explain where you acquired this knowledge include your employer, position title, dates of employment, and position responsibilities.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 15
Do you possess any human resources certifications and if so please state those certifications in the space below. If you do not possess any human resources certifications then state Not Applicable (N/A)?
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 16
Describe any experience you possess participating in the development of a classification and compensation study.
Be advised that "See Resume" is not an adequate response. 17
Do you possess a valid driver's license?
18
I understand I am responsible for maintaining the accuracy of my contact information, including my street address, my e-mail address, and my contact telephone numbers. My failure to maintain accurate contact information may result in my not receiving information regarding this job announcement and/or may result in my not being further considered for this employment opportunity. To update this information visit click on the "career seekers" link, and follow the prompts.
19
I certify that the information submitted in this application is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I understand that providing false, erroneous, and/or misleading information may result in elimination from the hiring process and termination of employment if hired.
- I have read and understand the language outlined above.
Required Question
