Inspector General - Office of Inspector General

Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland betweenBaltimore 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 2024 Howard County Government received a record-breaking 63 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 youll 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 youll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.

As the head of a brand-new Office the IG will be responsible for staffing the office including appointing a deputy. The IG will supervise the deputy and staff and oversee all aspects of the Office and its functions. This will include resolving complaints conducting investigations issuing reports formulating budgets and working with other internal and external agencies as needed to fulfill the mission of the Office.

The IG will be selected by the Inspector General Advisory Board (the Board) an independent nonpolitical entity that will have limited oversight of the Office. The IG will be required to meet with the Board at least twice a year to review certain aspects of the Offices functions. The IG will also be expected to meet with the County Council annually.

• Staff the Office to ensure it can fulfill its mission.
• Make sure staff are adequately trained to carry out their assigned duties.
• Establish written policies and procedures to address all facets of the Offices operations.
• Oversee all aspects of investigations into possible fraud waste abuse and misconduct concerning County employees contractors vendors and programs.
• Prepare detailed reports of investigative findings including recommendations for corrective actions and areas for improvement.
• Issue advisory letters upon the Offices own initiative or in response to a request received from one of the Countys departments offices or an external agency that falls under the Offices jurisdiction.
• Initiate inspections and reviews of County operations and recommend to the County Council and County Executive ways to promote efficiency accountability compliance and integrity.
• Prepare an annual report by the end of each calendar year summarizing investigative reports advisory letters other investigative activities or accomplishments and any monetary savings attributed to the Offices work.
• Ensure the Office is peer-reviewed every three to five years by a professional non-partisan objective organization.
• Ensure mechanisms are in place for the confidential reporting of complaints and to protect the rights of whistleblowers in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders including the County Auditor law enforcement and other investigative and prosecutorial agencies to address matters that fall within the Offices jurisdiction.
• Refer matters to the appropriate administrative regulatory law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies for further administrative civil and criminal actions.
• When appropriate issue subpoenas requiring individuals to appear under oath as a witness or commanding the production of any information or record deemed essential to an ongoing investigation.
• Prepare an annual budget sufficient to fund the operations of the Office and provide justification for any change from the prior years budget.

We are seeking candidates with unquestionable integrity impartiality and commitment to ethical conduct. To be considered candidates must meet all four of the following qualifications:

• A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.
• At least ten (10) years of related experience in one or more of the following fields: auditing financial analysis government operations independent government oversight ethics criminal justice law management analysis public administration investigations or another field deemed desirable by the Board.
• Certification as an Inspector General by the Association of Inspectors General or the attainment of such certification within one year of the appointment.
• Within the last five (5) years cannot have been an elected official who represents the County or a portion of the County; or a director of a County department office or agency.

• An advanced degree in a related field or a law degree from an accredited law school.
• At least five (5) years in a supervisory managerial or leadership role.
• Proven ability to build and lead a new program function or office.
• Experience conducting and managing complex investigations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• High level of integrity and professional ethics.
• Demonstrated financial acumen and expertise.
• Excellent written and oral communication abilities and skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Proficiency in relevant software applications.
• Thorough understanding of governmental operations investigative techniques and applicable federal state and local laws and regulations.
• Relevant professional certifications held such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
• The employee frequently is required to sit.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

• Strong interpersonal skills excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse population.
• Knowledge of budgetary principles techniques and administrative methods and procedures.
• Ability to analyze and interpret various records and reports including but not limited to accounting and financial data; laws rules and regulations; contracts and agreements; and information technology and computer-systems data.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels of County government and with applicable third parties.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills tailored to various stakeholders including the County Council Executive Branch and the general public.
• Ability to read analyze and interpret common technical journals financial reports and legal documents.
• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers regulatory agencies or members of the business community.
• Ability to write reports for publication.
• Ability to effectively present information to top management and public groups.
• Ability to define problems collect data establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Certified Inspector General or obtain such standing within one (1) year of the appointment.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES SHOULD SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

1. Cover Letter: Outlining qualifications and interest in the position.
2. Resume: Detailing education experience and relevant certifications.
3. References: Contact information for three (3) professional references.
4. Sample document: Please include no more than three (3) examples of an investigation project or oversight-related work that you personally managed in the past five (5) years. Please redact any confidential information as necessary.

Please submit your application and related materials by Friday July 11 2025.

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 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 Countyis 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 statusmilitary 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.