Public Affairs Specialist

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

About The Position

Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS! The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is committed to transforming young lives, strengthening communities, and advancing equitable systems that support youth success. We are seeking dedicated and mission-driven professionals to join our team as a Public Affairs Specialist. The role offers a meaningful opportunity to support frontline leadership, strengthen supervision practices, and contribute to positive outcomes for youth and families across the region. POSITION DUTIES Position Overview The primary purpose of this position is to provide coaching, guidance, and technical support to Case Management Specialist Supervisors and Case Management Program Supervisors within the assigned region. The position ensures the consistent implementation of special initiatives, supervision models, and agency standards , while promoting best practices in leadership, accountability, and service delivery. This role also serves as a key support to the Regional Director , assisting with coverage of regional responsibilities as needed and contributing to continuity of operations, quality improvement efforts, and cross-functional collaboration.

Requirements

Four years of experience in public information, public relations, journalism or other related experience in publicity or promotional work.
Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester credit hours in one or more of the following subjects: English, journalism, public relations, writing or other similar and related areas of study for the required experience.
Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in public affairs specialist classification or public affairs specialty codes in the information and arts field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and executing multimedia communication strategies for a public-sector, educational, or youth-serving organization, including video, photography, digital publications, and social media content.
Demonstrated experience translating complex programmatic, educational, or performance data into clear, audience-appropriate written and visual communications for leadership, partner agencies, or the public.
Experience supporting executive-level communications, including preparing visual assets, presentations, or briefing materials under tight deadlines.
Proficiency using professional content creation and design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar platforms) to produce high-quality digital and print materials in accordance with branding standards.
Experience coordinating communications related to audits, accreditation, legislative reporting, or other compliance-driven initiatives.

Responsibilities

Regional Coaching and Supervisor Support Provide ongoing coaching, consultation, and technical assistance to Case Management Supervisors and Program Supervisors to strengthen supervisory skills, reinforce effective supervision models, and ensure consistent application of DJS policies, procedures, and case management standards across the region.
Implementation and Oversight of Special Initiatives Support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of regional and agency-wide special initiatives. Ensure initiatives are executed in alignment with DJS goals, timelines, and performance expectations, and provide guidance to supervisors to support successful adoption and sustainability.
Regional Leadership Support and Operational Coverage Serve as a strategic resource to the Regional Director by assisting with coverage of regional duties when needed, supporting problem-solving efforts, responding to emerging operational needs, and contributing to continuous quality improvement and performance monitoring across the region.