Information technology specialist i, grade 20

About the Position

THIS IS AN INTERNAL "ONLY" JOB POSTING, AVAILABLE TO CURRENT Montgomery County GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ONLY.

Please note: The salary range above represents this position’s earning potential. The anticipated hiring range for this position will be $69,601 - $105,355, based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

WHO WE ARE

Montgomery County Department of Recreation is a nationally recognized and award-winning agency with a mission to provide high quality, diverse, and accessible community-based programs, activities, and services that serve the recreation and leisure needs of the Montgomery County community. The department manages 39 facilities including recreation centers, senior centers, and indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and provides thousands of programs such as out-of-school activities, aquatics, classes, youth and adult sports programs and leagues, senior programs, and therapeutic recreation.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Montgomery County Recreation is seeking a motivated, knowledgeable, and service-oriented IT professional to join its Information Technology team as an Information Technology Specialist I. This position plays an essential role in supporting the Department’s daily technology operations across 39 recreation facilities. The successful candidate will configure, maintain, and troubleshoot desktops, laptops, printers, tablets, smartphones, and other endpoint devices while providing remote and on-site Tier 2 and higher-level technical support. The IT Specialist I will assess technology needs, research and implement effective solutions, support hardware and software applications, maintain IT inventory, manage user accounts and security groups, and help ensure that equipment and applications are secure, reliable, and ready for use. This role requires strong technical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and a commitment to delivering responsive, customer-focused service. If you enjoy solving technical challenges, supporting diverse users, and helping technology work seamlessly in a dynamic, community-focused environment, we encourage you to apply.

What You'll Be Doing

• Technical Support and Systems Administration
• Configure, install, maintain, and troubleshoot hardware, software, and endpoint devices, including desktops, laptops, printers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Provide remote and on-site Tier 2 and higher-level technical support to resolve hardware, software, application, and connectivity issues.
• Support departmental applications, user accounts, security groups, servers, networks, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and telecommunications systems.
• Research, test, implement, and administer new and emerging technologies to improve operational efficiency and meet departmental needs.
• Apply established IT security practices to protect information systems, network services, devices, and user access.
• Assist with developing, documenting, and maintaining system backup and recovery procedures.
• Document computer applications, system requirements, updates, modifications, configurations, and software releases.
• Help ensure technology equipment and applications are properly configured, functional, secure, and ready for use across all 39 recreation facilities.

Technology Planning and Implementation

• Assess end-user and departmental technology needs and recommend appropriate hardware, software, and system solutions.
• Collaborate with technology subject-matter experts to define system requirements, evaluate capabilities, and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support technology procurement by translating business needs into technical specifications and evaluating compatibility with existing systems and infrastructure.
• Analyze data-processing requirements and assist with planning system capacity, workloads, layouts, installations, and modifications.
• Research, test, and evaluate system and hardware configurations to address operational requirements and improve performance.
• Apply IT principles, methods, and established practices to optimize, integrate, install, and maintain information systems.
• Research current technology trends, theories, standards, and best practices to provide recommendations and support continuous improvement.

Inventory, Documentation, and Reporting

• Create, update, and maintain accurate IT asset inventories and related administrative records.
• Develop customized reports to support departmental operations, planning, and decision-making.
• Prepare and maintain complex spreadsheets, word-processing documents, and desktop-publishing materials as needed.
• Maintain clear and accurate technical documentation, including system configurations, application requirements, troubleshooting procedures, and implementation records.
• Organize work effectively, establish priorities, and assess resource requirements to ensure timely and efficient service delivery.

Customer Service, Communication, and Collaboration

• Communicate proactively and professionally with Department staff, County agencies, technology partners, and vendors to coordinate support and resolve technical issues.
• Consult with end users to understand operational needs, explain system capabilities and limitations, and recommend practical solutions.
• Assist with user training and provide guidance on technology applications, equipment, and established IT procedures.
• Deliver courteous, responsive, and customer-focused service while addressing user concerns and resolving technical problems.
• Exercise sound judgment and make informed, objective, and innovative decisions, considering potential impacts and taking appropriate action in changing or uncertain situations.
• Adapt to high-pressure situations, evolving priorities, and competing demands while maintaining a focus on reliable IT service and organizational objectives.

Additional Responsibilities and Requirements

• Attend meetings and perform assignments at locations outside the primary office, as needed.
• Maintain the availability to respond to general information requests from the Director’s Office outside regularly scheduled work hours.
• Complete all required workplace and compliance training within the first three to six months of employment, or within the applicable timeframe specified by the County.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: One (1) year professional experience in the information technology field in areas such as programming, systems analysis, computer operations, data control and preparation, and data/telecommunications, depending on the duties of the position.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field from an accredited college or university, or certifications in specific programming languages or operating systems may be required, depending on the duties of the position. Programming languages might include Visual C++, Visual J++, C++, C, SQL, PowerBuilder, Oracle Developer 2000, and COBOL. Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted. For applicants possessing very hard-to-find skills which are a critical need to the department/agency, training and certification may be accepted in lieu of full degree requirements.

Physical Abilities: Ability to lift boxes containing computer support items and equipment such as printers, computers, modems, and monitors weighing up to 50 pounds.

LICENSE: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the employee's state of residence when required for job related duties.

Medical Exam: Medical History Review – This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess the candidate’s ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.

Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences

The applications of those individuals meeting the minimum qualifications will be reviewed to determine the extent, relevancy of training, and experience in the following areas: Experience applying theories, principles, and practices common in Information Technology industry. Experience installing and configuring hardware/software. Experience authoring technical documentation in support of computer applications. Experience troubleshooting and providing problem resolution to technical issues and providing primary client level "help desk" support. Experience using Active Directory Administration and Office 365. Experience researching technology specifications, assessing capability and compatibility with existing technology for IT procurement. Experience working with mobile technology, including tablets, smart phones and iPads.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position. Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at Hiring@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws. MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference. All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview. This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies. If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume. Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.