DJS PROGRAM SPECIALIST (Community Resources Placement Coordinator)

JobAps; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State employee benefits

Job summary

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services seeks a Program Specialist: Community Resources Placement Coordinator to coordinate statewide placement services for youth under supervision. You will identify, refer, coordinate, and monitor community-based and residential placements, working with families, providers, courts, and partners to promote treatment stability and the least restrictive environment.

This role also ensures compliance with federal rules, including Title IV-B protections and the

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three years of experience in case management or resource services for youth.
• Substitutions allowed for degrees and experience per notes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate statewide placement referrals for youth requiring various placements.
• Conduct ongoing case reviews and placement tracking to ensure progress.
• Monitor compliance with Title IV-B protections and Family First Act requirements.

Skills

case management

resource coordination

interagency collaboration

communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social/behavioral sciences

Associate degree + 2 years experience substitution

Master’s degree substitution for 1 year experience

4 years case management experience substitution

Job description

Introduction

**This recruitment is limited to current State of Maryland employees only.**�

GRADE

ASTD17

LOCATION OF POSITION

DJS- Resource Office- Placement Unit 217 E. Redwood Street� 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 our DJS Program Specialist: Community Resources Placement Coordinator role, so join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS! The Community Resources Placement Coordinator assists the Community Resources Placement Unit in coordinating statewide placement services for youth committed to or under the supervision of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS). This position supports the identification, referral, coordination, and monitoring of community-based and residential placement resources for youth with complex behavioral health, developmental, and treatment needs. Consistent with the mission of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services to transform young people’s lives, create safer communities, and forge more equitable systems through community-based partnerships that hold youth accountable while building on their strengths and support systems, this position plays a critical role in ensuring youth are connected to appropriate treatment and rehabilitative services in the least restrictive environment possible. The Community Resources Placement Coordinator works collaboratively with youth, families, providers, courts, and community partners to promote treatment stability, reduce unnecessary detention and placement disruptions, and support positive youth outcomes through individualized placement planning and continuity of care. This position is also responsible for supporting statewide Departmental compliance with federal regulations governing Title IV-B protections for youth in out-of-home placements and their families, as established under Part E of the Social Security Act and the Family First Prevention Services Act. The position works collaboratively with the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), which serves as the State’s single agency responsible for implementing federal mandates, regulations, audits, and best practice standards related to child welfare and out-of-home care oversight. Additionally, the Community Resources Placement Coordinator conducts ongoing case reviews and placement tracking activities to ensure youth are progressing appropriately through treatment services, are not unnecessarily remaining in restrictive settings, and are being considered for placement in the least restrictive environment consistent with their treatment needs, accountability, safety, and community protection. The position assists in identifying placement barriers, coordinating interagency problem-solving efforts, and supporting equitable access to services and treatment resources across the statewide continuum of care.

Some key responsibilities of this position may include, but not be limited, to the following:

• Coordinate statewide placement referrals for youth requiring community-based, residential, staff secure, hardware secure, psychiatric, and out-of-state placements.�
• Conduct ongoing case reviews and placement tracking to ensure youth are progressing through treatment services, transitioning appropriately through the continuum of care, and not remaining in restrictive placements longer than clinically necessary.�
• Monitor and support compliance with federal regulations governing Title IV-B protections, the Family First Prevention Services Act, and other applicable federal and state requirement related to youth in out-of-home placements.

Additionally, the Community Resources Placement Coordinator conducts ongoing case reviews and placement tracking activities to ensure youth are progressing appropriately through treatment services, are not unnecessarily remaining in restrictive settings, and are being considered for placement in the least restrictive environment consistent with their treatment needs, accountability, safety, and community protection. The position assists in identifying placement barriers, coordinating interagency problem-solving efforts, and supporting equitable access to services and treatment resources across the statewide continuum of care.

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

The preferred candidate for this position may possess any of the following qualifications:

• Two years of
  experience working with community-based
  organizations/service providers
• Knowledge of
  child-serving state agency regulations

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

THIS RECRUITMENT IS LIMITED TO CURRENT STATE OF MARYLAND EMPLOYEES ONLY.

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.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

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.