Administrative Analyst I - Fire & Rescue, Logistics at Howard County Government – Ellicott City, Maryland

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, sustainability, and 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 highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.

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:
Works as Contract Agent and Asset Control Manager for the Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) providing asset and inventory oversight for supplies, materials, equipment, and services. Performs analysis of inventory for DFRS including: calculation of the costs of goods sold; evaluation of inventory trends; and assisting with procurement.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$30.31 - $39.73
$63,034 - $82,630

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level administrative work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes carrying out administrative and technical tasks related to administrative support, public information, and purchasing.
Include the following. Other related duties may be assigned:

Contracting and Procurement:

• Serves as the Contract Agent for the DFRS. Responsible for developing new and revising existing specifications for supplies, materials, equipment and services; evaluates purchase history of frequently ordered commodities; determine feasibility of contract requirements and prepare contract shopping carts. Initiates contract modifications as needed. Establish and adjust contract target, ceiling and header values based on actual and proposed spending. Oversee agreements and maintain contact with vendors to resolve issues and problems.
• Works cooperatively with Purchasing Liaison, Finance, Department personnel and the Supply Unit to develop and execute inventory control and management strategies for all DFRS locations.
• Process requests for Capital equipment, (e.g., Fire Trucks, Ambulances, computers, breathing apparatus) and other goods and services using the SAP Purchasing System and County issued procurement card.
• Interface with the Procurement and Contract Administration as well as the Finance Department to analyze and resolve SAP transaction issues.
• Completes work inside of various technology platforms including but not limited to Dropbox, Excel, SAP, and FirstDue.
• Liaison between Central Fleet and DFRS to ensure completion of required forms for vehicle purchasing and registration.

Asset Control and Inventory:

• Interface with Risk Management to track loss/damage incidents and claim information for the purpose of repair or replacement.
• As Asset Control Manager for the DFRS, coordinates with the Office of Purchasing and Finance to track surplus County vehicles and equipment through the Fixed Asset Inventory Control System/Asset SAP system.
• Maintains HCDFRS Master Fleet Vehicle and Replacement Plan.
• Maintains HCDFRS EZ-Pass Program and Liaison with MDOT.
• Coordinates the DFRS take home vehicle program. Ensures paperwork for new requests has been processed and mileage reports have been completed and posted in DropBox. Submits monthly mileage reports of unmarked take home vehicles to Central Fleet.
• Coordinates with the Department of Technology and Communication Services (DTCS) on the issuance of building keys to appropriate personnel and temporary building access cards.

Budget and Records Management:

• Maintain detailed documentation of Bureau expenditures/reconcile Bureau budget.
• Prepare monthly analysis reports of major expenses such as fuel and vehicle repair and prepare comparisons to previous budget years.
• Create new FY Bureau Budget Report.
• Works with Bureau of Facilities to coordinate efforts on building maintenance from a financial impact.
• Facilitates interface of SAP with other inventory control systems within DFRS.
• Develops, documents and maintains inventory definitions, procedures, and processes for all DFRS locations.
• Assists the Department with the dissemination of documentation via memos, briefings, training, etc. as it pertains to inventory control for DFRS.
• In collaboration with the Procurement and Contract Administration, monitors and coordinates implementation of strategies to reduce cost of goods.
• Trains and coordinates with DFRS headquarters and field inventory personnel on purchasing requirements and procedures, and associated administrative tasks.
• Coordinates with the Procurement and Contract Administration, Finance Department, and Department of Technology and Communications Services to bring SAP inventory technical issues to resolution.
• Responsible for updating Bureau of Logistics intranet site. Meet the Staff contact information, and manage electronic files, rural water supply information, and proper recording of the Department’s approved apparel and logos.
• Compile Logistics Bureau initiative updates; provide status of new and in-process projects from each of the bureau divisions and prepare monthly reporting for the Office of Fire Chief.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position may or may not include supervisory responsibilities.
Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERREDEDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Experience in one (1) or more of the following roles: purchasing, inventory management, fleet management and/or production control.
• Skill in using an Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system for inventory management (e.g., SAP) to extract a variety of information related to County operating and capital project budgets, contracts, purchase orders, vendors, assets, inventory, fleet vehicles and maintenance, etc.
• Experience using a variety of software applications, to include but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and methods of inventory management.
• Knowledge of sources of supply, contract management, and government purchasing policies
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at various levels of County government, officials of state and Federal government and private sector vendors.
• Well-developed organizational skills.
• Strong team facilitation and relationship building skills.
• Knowledge of help desk systems and Records Management System (RMS).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands 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 sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATHICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.