ADMINISTRATIVE PROGRAM MANAGER IV Director of Professional Development and Training

Main Purpose of Job

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.

Strategic Leadership & Scope

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.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

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

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in DBT/CBT
• Proficiency in leadership development frameworks

Selection Process

Please ensure that your completed application includes sufficient information to demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All documentation related to your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date; information received after this date will not be considered. Candidates who meet the qualifications will remain on the certified eligible list for a period of one (1) year. This list may also be used to fill similar positions within this classification in the future.

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.