Policy Specialist
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Job Location:
Baltimore, MD - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 80541 - 125564
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Introduction
This Special Appointment position serves at the Appointing Authoritys pleasure.
GRADE
19
LOCATION OF POSITION
DJS/Office of the Secretary(Baltimore City)
Baltimore MD 21202
Main Purpose of Job
Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS!
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services(DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives creating safer communities andfostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the roleofPolicy Specialist (Administrator IV) so come join ourteam and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!
The Policy Specialist leads theDepartments policy development and coordination efforts ensuring agency-widepolicies are clear practical and aligned with legal requirements andoperational needs. These roles are central to shaping how policy advances theDepartments mission with a focus on SupportServices or Community Services andcross-functional alignment with opportunities for both independent focusedwork and collaborative engagement.
Serving as a trusted advisor this positionpartners with subject matter experts program leadership and the Policy Unitto drive complex policy initiatives from concept through implementation. Therole emphasizes structured collaboration sound judgment and clearcommunication to ensure consistency accountability and forward momentumacross the organization.
This role offers the opportunity to make ameaningful impact by:
Policy Development Leadership and Coordination
- Leading and managing the Departments policy development process across assigned subject areas.
- Coordinating with subject matter experts executive leadership and program staff to ensure policies reflect operational realities.
- Facilitating structured discussions and workgroups that support collaborative well-informed policy development.
- Establishing timelines monitoring progress and ensuring the timely completion of policy initiatives.
- Managing multiple policy projects simultaneously while maintaining alignment across divisions and program areas.
- Conducting independent research to inform policy development incorporating best practices and insights from other agencies and jurisdictions.
Plain Language Writing and Policy Standardization
- Ensuring all policies are written in clear concise and plain language accessible to staff and stakeholders.
- Editing and revising policy documents with strong attention to detail maintaining consistency in format tone and structure.
- Translating complex statutory legal and regulatory requirements into practical user-friendly guidance.
- Promoting readability clarity and usability to support consistent understanding and application.
Policy Governance Review and Quality Control
- Coordinating policy review clearance and approval processes across the Department and with external partners.
- Ensuring policies are complete accurate non-duplicative and aligned across program areas.
- Identifying and resolving conflicts gaps and ambiguities in policy language and application.
- Maintaining quality control over final policy products and ensuring adherence to Department standards and templates.
- Ensuring policy materials are organized accessible and maintained for both the Policy Unit and Executive leadership.
- Tracking interdependent policies to ensure consistency and alignment as updates occur.
Stakeholder Engagement and Group Facilitation
- Facilitating meetings and workgroups with subject matter experts program staff and leadership.
- Guiding discussions navigating differing viewpoints and building consensus among stakeholders.
- Ensuring policy decisions reflect both legal requirements and operational needs.
- Providing clear guidance and clarification on policy development processes and expectations.
This position is eligible to work a hybrid telework schedule.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelors degree from an accredited college oruniversity.
Experience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible professionalexperience in policy development public administration program analysisregulatory compliance or a closely related field including demonstrated experienceleading complex cross-functional projects and facilitating collaboration amongdiverse stakeholders.
Note: Candidates may substitute additional years of relevantprofessional experience in policy development public administration programanalysis regulatory compliance or a closely related field on a year-for-yearbasis for the required education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The preferred candidate for this position willpossess any of the following qualifications:
- Masters degree in public administration political science public policy law or other closely related field.
- Experience leading the development revision or implementation of formal policies regulations or procedural guidance within a public sector or large organizational setting.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent projects or initiatives involving cross-functional coordination competing priorities and executive-level stakeholders.
- Experience facilitating structured stakeholder engagement processes including workgroups or meetings that require consensus-building among diverse subject matter experts and leadership.
- Experience interpreting statutory regulatory or legal requirements and translating them into clear actionable policy or operational guidance.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with juvenile justice and/or criminal justice systems policies and best practices.
- Knowledge of and/or experience in any of the child-serving systems (e.g. education health and behavioral health child welfare).
SELECTION PROCESS
Please ensure that your completed application includes sufficient information to demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All documentation related to your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date; information received after this date will not be considered. Candidates who meet the qualifications will remain on the certified eligible list for a period of one (1) year. This list may also be used to fill similar positions within this classification in the future.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment may involve a rating of your application based on your education training and/or experience as it relates to the positions requirements.Therefore it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please report all relevant experience and education.For education obtained outside the U.S.you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education as determined by a Foreign Credential Evaluation Service at the time of hire. Please complete the supplemental questionnaire if applicable. They will be used when rating applications. Please note that your answers on the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your completed application to receive credit. Missing or incomplete supplemental questionnaires may impact the overall rating of your completed application.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
If you are a Veteran applying for this position please submit your DD 214 Long Form with your completed application to receive proper credit.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is STRONGLY recommended. However if you are unable to apply online you may submit a completed paper application and supplemental questionnaire responses via email or fax to the addresses provided below. If using fax or regular mail ensure each page includes your First and Last Name the Recruitment Number (located at the top of the posting) and the last four digits of your SS#. Paper application materialsmustbe received by 5:00 PM on the closing date for the recruitment. Applications received after this time or those with incorrect forms will not be accepted. Postmarks will not be considered.
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
OHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit
217 E. Redwood Street
Baltimore MD 21202
Attn:Recruitment # 26-
Fax number
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system please contact the Maryland Department of Budget and Management Recruitment and Examination Division at or.
Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required please contact the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Recruitment and Examination Unit at. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.
As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the States diversity.
DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.
Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments.
Candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply.
We welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities.
Required Experience:
IC
