Executive Director, Maryland Center for School Safety (Program Manager Sr. III)

Maryland; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 121,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland Center for School Safety in Maryland is seeking an Executive Director to provide nationwide strategic vision, leadership, and operational administration for MCSS. The role directs the implementation of all statutory mandates under the Maryland Safe to Learn Act, and oversees grant programs, staff, and statewide safety initiatives.

The Executive Director will foster interagency collaboration, advise the School Safety Subcabinet, and represent MCSS before the Governor, the

Qualifications

• Eight years of progressive administrative/management experience in safety-related context.
• At least two years supervising professional staff.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Education, Criminal Justice, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and strategic direction for MCSS and regional operations.
• Oversees agency fiscal operations, budget, personnel allocations and grants portfolio.
• Represents MCSS to the Governor, legislature, and interagency partners.
• Drives statewide programs, policy implementation, and cross‑agency collaboration.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Policy development

Staff supervision

Public administration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration or related field

Job description

Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population – students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland. This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

GRADE

STD0025

$120,722.00 - $172,428 with progression to $190,376.00/year

State Salary Guidelines may apply

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Center for School Safety

7125 Ambassador Road, Suite 130

Baltimore, MD 21244�

POSITION DUTIES

This executive leadership position serves as the Executive Director of the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS) pursuant to Md. Ann. Code, Education Article 7-1502 (d). Appointed by and reporting directly to the School Safety Subcabinet (governed by the State Superintendent of Schools, Attorney General, Superintendent of State Police, Secretary of Health, Secretary of Disabilities, and Executive Director of the Interagency Commission on Public School Construction), the Executive Director provides statewide executive vision, strategic leadership, and operational administration for MCSS. The Executive Director directs the implementation of all statutory mandates established under the Maryland Safe to Learn Act of 2018 and subsequent legislative requirements. This includes the administrative oversight of the agency’s executive staff and operational divisions. The position oversees the administration of public and private school safety grants, drives statewide programs, including the Safe Schools Maryland (SSMD) 24/7/365 anonymous reporting system, the School Resource Officer (SRO) and School Security Employee (SSE) Training Academy, Behavioral Threat Assessment (BTA) policy, and multi-agency coordinated emergency preparedness and response. Additionally, the Executive Director fosters critical interagency collaboration across federal, state, and local educational, law enforcement, behavioral health, and emergency management entities.

• Provides overarching executive leadership, operational management, and strategic direction to MCSS personnel, units, and regional operations in alignment with the agency’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Establishes, evaluates, and enforces agency-wide strategic plans, performance dashboards, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and administrative policies to ensure rigorous statutory compliance with the Safe to Learn Act and related laws and regulations.
• Directs the executive leadership team fostering high accountability, staff development, equitable workload distribution, and cross-functional operational redundancy.
• Oversees agency fiscal operations, state budget appropriations, personnel allocations, and the administration and monitoring of the multi-million-dollar school safety grant portfolio (e.g., Safe Schools Fund Grant, SRO Adequate Coverage Grant, Hate Crimes Grant). Reporting and Audit Management
• Serves as principal advisor and operational liaison to the School Safety Subcabinet and School Safety Advisory Board, coordinating public hybrid proceedings, providing intelligence and operational updates, and executing Subcabinet policies and recommendations.
• Fosters trusted, strategic partnerships with high-ranking officials across state and federal agencies (including MSDE, MSP, MDEM, MDH, MDOD, IAC, and MCAC), local education agencies (LEAs), law enforcement command staff, and local school systems.
• Represents MCSS before the Governor, Maryland General Assembly, legislative committees, state commissions, and national school safety workgroups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Education, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Risk or Emergency Management, Occupational Safety, Facilities Design or a related field.

Experience: Eight years of progressive administrative and/or management experience in an environment requiring safety threat identification, remediation, and policy development. At least two years of this experience must have involved supervising professional staff.

Note: Completion of a master's degree or 36 graduate credits in Public Administration, Education, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Risk or Emergency Management, Occupational Safety, Facilities Design or a related field may substitute for two years of the non-supervisory experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Knowledge of state and national education policy issues regarding school safety;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead and manage activities focused on improving school safety and safe to learn environments;
• Ability to represent the MCSS to the State Board of education and to the legislature, the Governor’s Office, State law enforcement agencies, and local education agencies;
• Ability to interpret federal and State policies, regulations, laws, and procedures

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all MSDE employees.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.