Policy Officer, Secure Programs

This position is in the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), Office of Policy and Quality Assurance (OPQA) under the Office of the Chief of Staff. DYRS administers detention, commitment, and aftercare services for youth held under its care in its facilities or residing in the DC community. DYRS secure programs includes programs and services for youth in DYRS secure facilities.

Incumbent serves as the Policy Officer for Secure Programs within the OPQA. The Policy Officer of Secure Programs leads the development and evaluation of agency policies and procedures related to secure programs, placements, and services.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Policy Officer functions as the principal policy director for composing, editing, clarifying, and maintaining DYRS’ policies, procedures, regulations, interpretive issuances, and District and federal laws, legislation, regulations, and policies governing administrative law, etc. related only to secure programs. Develops and revises agency-related regulations, policy documents, and procedural guides; and ensures the implementation of new and revised policies and guidelines. Oversees a system of multidimensional performance-based quality assurance system to uphold agency-wide adherence to established performance standards and procedures related only to secure programs. Serves as a strategic advisor, providing management analysis and evaluation of the Office of the Director’s mission, responsibilities and functions, to enhance productivity and effectiveness. Coordinates, reviews as assigned and comments on applicable regulatory and policy guidance. Works under the direction of the Chief of Staff to synchronize coordinated actions within DYRS and DC. Plans and conducts quick reaction studies, analysis, and professional writing, providing rapid, incisive, senior-level analysis and support to respond to the Chief of Staff’s requests for perspective. Develops correspondence, materials and training that communicates DYRS policies and procedures applicable to secure programs.

The Incumbent identifies areas for improvement in existing secure program policies and procedures, devising strategies to enhance compliance and effectiveness while engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback and ensure responsiveness to their needs. Provides leadership on agency-wide issues to the Chief of Staff and serves as a member of the Office of the Chief of Staff’s senior leadership team. Develops proposed and final regulations concerning DYRS guidelines and processes for secure programs. Oversees design and system-wide implementation of secure program quality assurance metrics, performance criteria, standards, indicators, benchmarks, corrective action plans and practices. Keeps abreast of pertinent laws and regulations relating to the functions and objectives of the administration and makes major recommendations on procedures and policies regarding problems concerning the efficiency of secure program activities. Provides advisory services to internal and external entities on the development and interpretation of secure program policy and procedures and its stages of development. Supervises the secure programs OPQA team, guiding staff development, and training efforts, while performing a range of managerial functions to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Qualifications and Education

Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be credible, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licenses and Certifications

None

Work Environment

The work is performed in an office setting which is adequately heated, lighted, and ventilated.

The position will require travel to the Youth Services Center (YSC) and Headquarters (HQ), both in Washington, DC.

Other Significant Facts:

Tour of Duty: 8:30am to 5:00pm; Monday – Friday

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: MS-0301-14

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential

Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service (MSS): At-will employment applies to the MSS. All positions and appointments in the MSS serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is not a part of a Collective Bargaining Unit.

Position Designation: The incumbent in this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel regulations, Suitability. This position has been designated as a security-sensitive position.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.