Policy Advisor (ADMINISTRATOR V)

State of Maryland; Annapolis (MD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Governor’s Office for Children (GOC) in Annapolis is seeking a Policy Advisor to advance policy development and implementation across Children’s Cabinet priorities. This hybrid role supports the Policy Director and teams to reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility.

You will build subject‑matter expertise, staff cabinet meetings, and coordinate with state agencies. A bachelor’s degree is required and a master’s is preferred for advanced policy work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s preferred for up to 3 years of experience
• Experience leading cross‑agency initiatives with clear delivery results
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to work with executive leadership

Responsibilities

• Research and develop policy proposals aligned with GOC priorities.
• Staff the Children’s Cabinet and coordinate meetings with agencies.
• Draft memos for Senior Secretary and Governor on policy issues.
• Coordinate interagency initiatives and partner engagements.
• Support senior leadership with portfolio briefing materials and strategic planning.

Skills

Policy leadership

Cross-agency collaboration

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Written communication

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s in public policy (preferred)

Job description

Introduction

About the Governor's Office for Children: The Maryland Governor's Office for Children (GOC) serves as a central hub to support the well-being of children and families and reduce childhood poverty. This mission requires a holistic, coordinated approach across state government, as well as public and private sectors at the local, state, and federal levels.

The Office leads statewide efforts to build a comprehensive network of support that targets historically underinvested jurisdictions. By partnering with multi-sector stakeholders to implement place-based strategies and develop innovative, statewide anti-poverty policy solutions the Office works to advance a vision where Maryland is:

• Providing high-quality childcare and education, including by supporting community schools
• Nurturing healthy and economically secure families, including by ensuring families have access to high-quality physical and behavioral health care and helping more Marylanders secure living-wage jobs
• Creating safe and thriving communities, including by facilitating access to high-quality, affordable housing, a thriving commercial core, and access to recreational spaces, nutritious food, and transportation

GRADE

20

LOCATION OF POSITION

45 Calvert St, Annapolis, MD 21401

POSITION DUTIES

General Purpose: The Policy Advisor must possess the core skills and passion to support the Policy Director and Governor’s Office for Children in its mission to reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility across the State of Maryland.

The Policy Advisor will serve on the Policy Team within the Governor’s Office for Children, driving policy development and implementation of initiatives across Children’s Cabinet priorities, including efforts to address the needs of at-risk youth, including youth who are involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. The Policy Advisor will also drive policy development around additional policies to reduce child poverty, increase economic mobility, and shrink the racial wealth gap in Maryland.

The Policy Advisor will bring subject‑matter expertise to the Governor’s Office for Children on these and other matters. They will help staff the Children’s Cabinet; lead working groups and/or other engagements with state agencies and other partners; and conduct extensive research regarding policy areas in their portfolio. The Policy Advisor will also support senior leadership in any engagements relating to their portfolio.

This is a hybrid position and requires flexibility to report to locations in Annapolis, Baltimore, and other areas of the state as needed.

Core Responsibilities:

• Work with subject matter experts to research and develop policy proposals based on the GOC priorities, including the needs of at-risk youth and youth who are involved in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems.
• Draft or support drafting of high quality memos to the Special Secretary and the Governor on policy issues under the GOC portfolio.
• Staff the Children’s Cabinet including managing meeting agendas and coordinating next steps with GOG and agency staff; oversee meeting logistics that are executed by the Special Assistant.
• Communicate efficiently, effectively and routinely with Governor’s Office staff and agency leadership.
• Build and maintain connections across the administration and Governor’s Office, and coordinate interagency efforts on high-priority policy issues.
• Provide project and policy recommendations where relevant.
• Contribute to briefing materials and manage contributions from other team members.
• Project manage various workstreams or rapid turnaround requests as assigned by the Special Secretary.
• Staff the Special Secretary and other senior leaders as policy support when needed.
• Assists with special projects including events, site visits and programmatic announcements.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in public policy, preferably in a government or political setting. A master’s degree in public policy may be substituted for up to 3 years of experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading high‑impact, cross‑agency initiatives with strategic responsibility for delivery, alignment, and results
• Deep subject‑matter expertise at least one relevant policy area, with a track record of shaping systems‑level strategy and implementation
• Proven ability to represent an organization in high‑stakes settings, including with executive leadership, Cabinet‑level officials, and external partners
• Experience advising agency leadership and contributing to statewide policy agendas or strategic plans
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and supervising staff, including Analysts, Fellows, or consultants, in high‑performing policy or delivery environments
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to analyze and interpret data
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong people‑management skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion in all matters
• Flexibility to work outside of regular business hours, as needed

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree preferred

EXAMINATION PROCESS

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.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.