What are the responsibilities and job description for the DJS PROGRAM SPECIALIST position at State of Maryland?
GRADE
ASTD17
LOCATION OF POSITION
Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) - (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, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of Equity Specialist (DJS Program Specialist), so come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!
As an Equity Specialist, you will play a key role in advancing racial justice reform at DJS. This position focuses on developing and implementing equity-driven programs, facilitating training, and supporting initiatives that reduce racial and ethnic disparities in Maryland’s youth justice system. You will work closely with agency leadership, staff, and community partners to ensure DJS policies, training, and services align with the DJS Race Equity Framework.
This role requires strong facilitation skills, relationship-building, and a deep commitment to racial equity. The ideal candidate has experience in program development, training facilitation, and stakeholder engagement, with a track record of driving real-world change. This position requires moderate travel for training and community engagement and offers a hybrid telework schedule.
Key Responsibilities:
- Enhance communication and stakeholder engagement – Act as a liaison between DJS and community partners to advance racial equity efforts, expand diversion opportunities, and reduce disparities. Represent DJS at state and national convenings.
- Drive program innovation – Develop, evaluate, and refine equity-driven programs, ensuring alignment with DJS goals. Use equity audits and performance data to recommend improvements.
- Lead training and facilitation – Design and deliver interactive equity-focused training for staff, leadership, and external partners.
- Advance data and impact analysis – Track racial equity metrics, evaluate program effectiveness, and translate data into actionable insights for leadership.
- Support agency initiatives – Lead and contribute to special projects, legislative advocacy, and cross-agency collaborations to embed racial equity in DJS operations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Three years of experience providing case management or resource specialist services to youth in a community or residential setting.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute possession of an Associate of Arts degree in the social or behavioral sciences from an accredited college or university and two years of experience providing direct services to children in a community or residential setting for the required education.
2. Candidates may substitute possession of a Master’s degree in the social or behavioral sciences from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.
3. Candidates may substitute four years of experience providing case management or resource specialist services to youth in a community or residential setting for four years of college.
4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Correctional Institution Administration classifications or Correctional Institution Administration specialty codes in the Miscellaneous Occupations field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Credibility and Record of Passion and Action in Racial Equity Work
We actively seek individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences who bring both professional expertise and lived experience to the work of racial justice and equity. We believe that firsthand experience with the juvenile or criminal justice system provides invaluable insight into the challenges and opportunities within youth justice reform. If you have navigated these systems yourself or worked alongside impacted communities, we strongly encourage you to apply. Your understanding of these systems, resilience, and problem-solving skills are highly valued, and we are committed to ensuring that lived experience is respected, leveraged, and seen as an asset in this work. We recognize the importance of second-chance opportunities and fair, equitable hiring practices, and we welcome applicants who have used their experiences to drive meaningful change.
The ideal candidate will have a deep, personal, and professional commitment to racial justice, demonstrated through lived experience, leadership in racial equity initiatives, or a proven ability to drive systemic change. Candidates should be able to clearly articulate their motivations for engaging in race equity work and describe how their efforts have led to measurable impact.
To be preferred, candidates will have actively engaged in race equity work in meaningful ways, such as:
- Experience developing and implementing racial equity-focused programs that directly engage system-impacted youth, families, or frontline staff.
- Experience facilitating race equity training, public education, or stakeholder engagement on racial justice, systemic bias, racial disparities, or institutional change.
- Experience successfully integrating race equity strategies into service delivery, training, or agency-wide initiatives, with demonstrated results.
- Engaging directly with system-impacted youth, families, or communities—or drawing from personal or adjacent lived experience—to advocate, mentor, or build capacity in racial justice and equity efforts.
- Serving in positions of leadership where they have influenced racial justice outcomes in government, nonprofits, legal advocacy, or educational spaces.
- Building bridges across agencies, organizations, or communities to create pathways for racial equity reform.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year. For education obtained outside of the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation will be required prior to hire. The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies. The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment will be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience related to the position’s requirements. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related experience and education. For education obtained outside the U.S., you must provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service.
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.
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
STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is strongly urged. However, if you are unable to apply on line you may mail a paper application to the address below or fax a paper application to the fax number below. If you choose to fax or use regular mail, you must include on each page of the attachment your First and Last Name, the Recruitment Number that is located at the top of the bulletin and the last 4 digits of your SS#. The paper application must be received by 5:00 pm, close of business, on the closing date for this recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted:
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
OHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit
217 E Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Attn: Recruitment # 25-002598-0001
Fax number 410-333-4188
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 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.
Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please contact the DJS Office of Human Resources at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment 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 State’s 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.
