Policy Specialist

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis Special Appointment position serves at the Appointing Authority's pleasure.\r\n\r\n

GRADE

19\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

DJS/Office of the Secretary\r\n(Baltimore City)\r\nBaltimore, MD 21202\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Maryland Department of Juvenile Services\r\n(DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and\r\nfostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role\r\nof Policy Specialist (Administrator IV), so come join our\r\nteam and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe Policy Specialist leads the\r\nDepartment’s policy development and coordination efforts, ensuring agency-wide\r\npolicies are clear, practical, and aligned with legal requirements and\r\noperational needs. These roles are central to shaping how policy advances the\r\nDepartment’s mission, with a focus on Support\r\nServices or Community Services and\r\ncross-functional alignment, with opportunities for both independent, focused\r\nwork and collaborative engagement.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nServing as a trusted advisor, this position\r\npartners with subject matter experts, program leadership, and the Policy Unit\r\nto drive complex policy initiatives from concept through implementation. The\r\nrole emphasizes structured collaboration, sound judgment, and clear\r\ncommunication to ensure consistency, accountability, and forward momentum\r\nacross the organization.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThis role offers the opportunity to make a\r\nmeaningful impact by:\r\n\r\n\r\nPolicy Development Leadership and Coordination\r\n\r\n\r\n Leading and managing the Department’s policy development process across\r\n assigned subject areas. \r\n Coordinating with subject matter experts, executive leadership, and\r\n program staff to ensure policies reflect operational realities. \r\n Facilitating structured discussions and workgroups that support\r\n collaborative, well-informed policy development. \r\n Establishing timelines, monitoring progress, and ensuring the timely\r\n completion of policy initiatives. \r\n Managing multiple policy projects simultaneously while maintaining\r\n alignment across divisions and program areas. \r\n Conducting independent research to inform policy development,\r\n incorporating best practices and insights from other agencies and\r\n jurisdictions.\r\n\r\n\r\nPlain Language Writing and Policy Standardization\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Ensuring all policies are written in clear, concise, and plain language\r\n accessible to staff and stakeholders.\r\n Editing and revising policy documents with strong attention to detail,\r\n maintaining consistency in format, tone, and structure.\r\n Translating complex statutory, legal, and regulatory requirements into\r\n practical, user-friendly guidance.\r\n Promoting readability, clarity, and usability to support consistent\r\n understanding and application.\r\n\r\n\r\nPolicy Governance, Review, and Quality Control \r\n\r\n\r\n Coordinating policy review, clearance, and approval processes across the\r\n Department and with external partners.\r\n Ensuring policies are complete, accurate, non-duplicative, and aligned\r\n across program areas.\r\n Identifying and resolving conflicts, gaps, and ambiguities in policy\r\n language and application.\r\n Maintaining quality control over final policy products and ensuring\r\n adherence to Department standards and templates.\r\n Ensuring policy materials are organized, accessible, and maintained for\r\n both the Policy Unit and Executive leadership.\r\n Tracking interdependent policies to ensure consistency and alignment as\r\n updates occur.\r\n\r\n\r\nStakeholder Engagement and Group Facilitation \r\n\r\n\r\n Facilitating meetings and workgroups with subject matter experts,\r\n program staff, and leadership.\r\n Guiding discussions, navigating differing viewpoints, and building\r\n consensus among stakeholders.\r\n Ensuring policy decisions reflect both legal requirements and\r\n operational needs.\r\n Providing clear guidance and clarification on policy development\r\n processes and expectations.\r\n\r\n\r\nThis position is eligible to work a hybrid telework schedule.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or\r\nuniversity.\r\n\r\n\r\nExperience: Six (6) years of progressively responsible professional\r\nexperience in policy development, public administration, program analysis,\r\nregulatory compliance, or a closely related field, including demonstrated experience\r\nleading complex, cross-functional projects and facilitating collaboration among\r\ndiverse stakeholders.\r\n\r\n\r\nNote: Candidates may substitute additional years of relevant\r\nprofessional experience in policy development, public administration, program\r\nanalysis, regulatory compliance, or a closely related field on a year-for-year\r\nbasis for the required education.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate for this position will\r\npossess any of the following qualifications:\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Master’s degree in public administration,\r\n political science, public policy, law, or other closely related field. \r\n Experience leading the development, revision,\r\n or implementation of formal policies, regulations, or procedural guidance\r\n within a public sector or large organizational setting. \r\n Experience managing multiple concurrent\r\n projects or initiatives involving cross-functional coordination, competing\r\n priorities, and executive-level stakeholders. \r\n Experience facilitating structured stakeholder\r\n engagement processes, including workgroups or meetings that require\r\n consensus-building among diverse subject matter experts and leadership. \r\n Experience interpreting statutory, regulatory,\r\n or legal requirements and translating them into clear, actionable policy or operational\r\n guidance. \r\n Knowledge of and/or experience with juvenile\r\n justice and/or criminal justice systems, policies, and best practices. \r\n Knowledge of and/or experience in any of the\r\n child-serving systems (e.g., education, health and behavioral health, child\r\n welfare).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may involve a rating of your application based on your education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the position's 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.\r\n\r\n\r\nResumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. \r\n\r\n\r\nIf you are a Veteran applying for this position, please submit your DD 214 Long Form with your completed application to receive proper credit.\r\n

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n

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 materials must be 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.\r\n\r\n\r\nMaryland Department of Juvenile Services \r\nOHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit \r\n217 E. Redwood Street \r\nBaltimore, MD 21202 \r\nAttn: Recruitment # 26-006097-0002 \r\nFax number 410-333-4188 \r\nTTY Users: call via Maryland Relay\r\n\r\n\r\nIf 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 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov. \r\n\r\n\r\nShould additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please contact the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Recruitment and Examination Unit at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.\r\n\r\n\r\nAs an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.\r\n\r\n\r\nDJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.\r\n\r\n\r\nBilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments.\r\n\r\n\r\nCandidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply.\r\n\r\n\r\nWe welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities.\r\n