Administrative Program Manager IV

State of Maryland•Baltimore County, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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 the Administrative Program Manager IV, so come join our team and make a meaningful impact on our youth and the staff community at DJS! The Director of Professional Development & Training serves as the chief architect of the Department’s learning ecosystem, rooted in the belief that well-supported staff are the key to transformative youth outcomes. The main purpose of this executive-level role is to oversee the strategic design, implementation, and evaluation of all entry-level and continuous education programs, ensuring that every member of the DJS team – from residential facilities to community operations as well as support staff– is not just trained, but truly equipped to thrive. Empowering Our Workforce You will lead a high-stakes unit dedicated to the professional growth and personal wellbeing of our staff. By providing robust, high-quality training, you ensure that DJS staff possess the skills needed to perform their roles with confidence and safety. This role recognizes that comprehensive training reduces workplace stress, fosters professional resilience, and creates a culture of care that extends from our staff to the youth we serve. Strategic Leadership & Scope The Director works in close partnership with Executive Leadership to coordinate specialized professional development for staff across agency units - focusing on direct care staff, leaders and managers. For units operating outside the strict mandates of the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), you will design learning paths that ensure these operations receive an equivalent level of support and resource allocation. Compliance & Clinical Excellence The Director ensures seamless compliance with MPCTC standards while championing a holistic approach to juvenile justice. You will integrate advanced behavioral health frameworks—specifically DBT and CBT—into the core curriculum. By bridging the gap between operational security and therapeutic support, you help create a stable, informed environment where both staff and youth can achieve their best possible outcomes.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Social Work, Education, or another comparable advanced degree in a related behavioral science or leadership field.
Eight years of progressive leadership in a large-scale training environment (Public Safety or Human Services preferred).
MPCTC Instructor Certification (or ability to obtain).
Expert level understanding of the Maryland Juvenile system and foundations of professional/leadership development.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in DBT/CBT
Proficiency in leadership development frameworks

Responsibilities

Direct the Entry-Level Training (ELT) academies for all required residential and community supervision roles.
Oversee rigorous audits of training records to guarantee 100% compliance for annual re-certifications, protecting the professional standard of every staff member.
Develop specialized onboarding and professional tracks that empower staff across all agency units, ensuring every employee has a clear path for growth.
Lead and mentor a diverse team of Training Coordinators, Curriculum Developers, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), fostering a unit culture of innovation and empathy.
Drive the long-term vision of a 'Learning Organization' that prioritizes career longevity, recognizing that invested, well-trained staff are the department’s greatest asset.
Promote staff confidence in implementing rehabilitative evidence-based skills through training offerings that connect clinical theory and daily practice organically.
Primary Coordinator between Human Resources and Information Technology to facilitate a user-friendly digital learning experience and automated training tracking.
Serve as the agency’s subject matter expert on Adult Learning Principles, ensuring that training across all units is not just 'delivered,' but is engaging, relevant, and designed for maximum retention and practical application.