EQUITY PROGRAM MANAGER Program Manager II

State of Maryland; Maryland; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Office of Equity and Inclusion seeks an Equity Program Manager (Program Manager II) to lead and coordinate reforms advancing racial equity across the agency. Hybrid telework with statewide travel; resume required, Grade 20.

The role directs cross‑agency programs, develops strategies, and partners with internal divisions and communities to embed equitable practices from policy to practice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in youth-serving, juvenile justice, or human services programs or initiatives.
• Experience leading or supporting program, operational, or reform initiatives; coordinating with internal and external partners; using data to improve outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Directs and plans development, implementation, and evaluation of systemic reform initiatives.
• Evaluates programs and uses performance data to mitigate disparities and enhance equity.
• Manages comprehensive project plans and coordinates deliverables to realize executive vision.
• Develops strategic partnerships with internal divisions and community stakeholders.
• Leads inter-agency and family-driven workgroups and advisory boards.
• Represents OEI as SME providing consultation and strategic guidance to leadership.
• Supervises and mentors assigned staff as needed.
• Develops capacity-building initiatives, training modules, and learning experiences.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Policy implementation

Project management

Cross-agency collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Introduction

This Management Service position serves at the Appointing Authority's pleasure. A resume must accompany your application.

The Office of Equity and Inclusion (OEI) is responsible for implementation of the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Race Equity Framework through collaboration, strategic reforms, and agency capacity building. The office’s mission is to identify system opportunities to reduce racial and ethnic disparities that may exist in policies and practices, and collaborate with local partners to reduce such disparities. OEI advances opportunities to promote equitable practices, inclusion, and racial healing to mitigate adverse outcomes for families and youth of color affected by the youth justice system.

GRADE

20

LOCATION OF POSITION

DJS/Office of Equity and Inclusion - Statewide

Baltimore, MD 21202 (HQ)

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 Program Manager (Program Manager II), so come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!

Serving at the pleasure of OEI’s Executive Director and with managerial oversight by the OEI Deputy Director, OEI staff in the Equity Program Manager position are responsible for directing and coordinating programs and initiatives that translate the Department's vision for racially equitable, inclusive, developmentally appropriate, and restorative practices into operational reality. Guided by the DJS Mission, Vision, and Pathways to Equity Framework, this position oversees and manages complex, cross-agency projects, establishes goals and standards to drive systemic policy change, and develops short‑and long‑range plans to embed equitable practices across DJS operations. This position will also exercise independent judgment in overseeing specialized policy portfolios, representing the department in a liaison capacity to build partnerships, and planning, coordinating, implementing, supervising, and evaluating agency efforts to ensure initiatives move successfully from strategy to execution.

Essential Position Functions

Strategic Leadership & Policy Implementation

• Directs and plans the development, implementation, and evaluation of systemic reform initiatives.
• Evaluates programs and practices, performance data, policies and procedures, enacting actionable change to mitigate disparities and enhance operational equity.
• Manages comprehensive project plans and coordinates deliverables to translate executive vision into operational steps.

Cross-Agency Collaboration & Partnership, Leadership

• Develops strategic partnerships with internal divisions and community stakeholders to drive system‑wide reform.
• Coordinates inter-agency and family‑driven workgroups, committees, and advisory boards to foster participatory design, shared accountability, and culture change.
• Represents OEI as a subject matter expert, providing consultation, technical assistance, and strategic guidance to agency leadership and youth justice practitioners.
• May supervise, plan, direct, and evaluate the work of assigned staff, managing performance and providing mentorship in alignment with OEI objectives.

Capacity Building & Operational Equity

• Develops, plans, and coordinates capacity‑building initiatives, toolkits, training modules, and other learning experiences that enhance staff will and skill in equity, inclusion, and restorative practices.
• Develops standardized resources and practice guides that support the practical application of equity principles in daily DJS field and facility operations.
• Analyzes youth justice data with stakeholders to guide strategy and assess the impact of agency initiatives.

Initiative Management & other duties as assigned

• Manages a diverse portfolio of special projects, planning strategic next steps and executing workflows independently.
• Adapts to changing priorities, continuously improves skills, and expands expertise to keep pace with and drive DJS's reform efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned and pivots across operational areas as needed to advance the broader mission of the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

This position offers a hybrid telework schedule with statewide travel as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in youth-serving, juvenile justice, or human services programs or initiatives. Experience must include leading or supporting program, operational, or reform initiatives; implementing policies or procedures; coordinating with internal and external partners; and using data or performance information to improve outcomes.

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience evaluating programs, practices, performance data, policies and procedures to enact actionable change that mitigates disparities and enhances operational equity
• Experience coordinating inter-agency and family-driven workgroups, committees, and advisory boards to foster participatory design, shared accountability, and culture change
• Experience shifting power and decision‑making authority by formalizing and resourcing the leadership of youth and families to shape systems
• Experience developing, planning, and coordinating capacity‑building initiatives, toolkits, training modules, and learning experiences that enhance staff will and skill in equity, inclusion, and restorative practices
• Experience leading or supporting system‑level reform initiatives in youth justice, human services, or related settings, including equity, inclusion, restorative practices, or organizational change efforts
• Proven track record establishing strong partnerships with organizations deeply connected to and serving Hispanic and Latino youth, families, and communities
• Experience developing and expanding language access infrastructure, including translation, interpretation services, and bilingual resources for non-English speaking youth and families
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing culturally responsive programming and community engagement strategies specifically tailored for Hispanic and Latino youth and families

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.