Equity Program Manager

Job Description

EQUITY PROGRAM MANAGER

Program Manager II

Recruitment #26-005477-0034

Department

DJS Office of the Secretary

Date Opened

10/26/2026 09:15:00 AM

Filing Deadline

11/9/2026 11:59:00 PM

Salary

$87,253.00 - $137,603.00/year

Employment Type

Full-Time

HR Analyst

Keenan Townes

Work Location

Baltimore City

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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

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

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

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your completed 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. Candidates will remain on the certified eligible list for one (1) year. The resulting certified eligible list from this recruitment may be used to fill similar positions of the same classification in this or other State agencies.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment will involve a rating of your application based on your education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the position's requirements. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please report all relevant experience and education. For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education, as determined by a Foreign Credential Evaluation Service, at the time of hire.

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 recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, you may submit a completed paper application and supplemental questionnaire responses via email or fax to the addresses provided below. If using fax or regular mail, ensure each page includes your First and Last Name, the Recruitment Number (located at the top of the posting), and the last four digits of your SS#. Paper application materials must be received by 5:00 PM on the closing date for the recruitment. Applications received after this time, or those with incorrect forms, will not be accepted. Postmarks will not be considered.

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
OHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit
217 E. Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Attn: Recruitment# 26-005477-0034
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 Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Recruitment and Examination Unit at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.

As an equal-opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting

Requirements

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

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

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

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your completed