State of Maryland

A DJS Assistant Area Director is the managerial level of work overseeing the administration and management of community juvenile case management services for multiple counties or jurisdictions.  Employees in this classification direct the implementation and coordination of all intake, supervision, probation and after-care services for juveniles within a geographical area of the State.  Employees in this classification supervise DJS Case Management Specialist Supervisors and DJS Case Management Program Supervisors.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from a Department of Juvenile Services Area Director.  Employees may be assigned to work evenings and weekends and may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.  Employees may be required to travel throughout the State to attend court proceedings, visit homes, schools, community based services and juvenile residential facilities.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The DJS Assistant Area Director is differentiated from the DJS Case Management Program Supervisor in that the DJS Assistant Area Director has supervisory responsibility for DJS Case Management Specialist Supervisors and DJS Case Management Program Supervisors and directs case management services for multiple counties or jurisdictions while the DJS Case Management Program Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for DJS Case Management Specialists and directs case management services for a county or jurisdiction and serves as a department representative on the Local Coordinating Council and the Local Management Board.

Directs the implementation and coordination of the delivery of all case management services for juveniles in multiple counties or jurisdictions within a geographical area of the State;

Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of DJS Case Management Specialist Supervisors and DJS Case Management Program Supervisors;

Trains DJS Case Management Specialist Supervisors and DJS Case Management Program Supervisors;

Evaluates case management operations to determine staffing and resource needs, identify and address problems and improve case management services;

Evaluates program and budgetary reports from counties or jurisdictions and assists the DJS Area Director in the preparation of budget, personnel and procurement requests;

Assists in the development of juvenile case management program goals, objectives and policies and procedures;

Provides direction to supervisory staff on case management practices and methods, juvenile services laws, regulations, policies and procedures;

Conducts case conferences with supervisory staff to identify and discuss case progress and provide direction on appropriate course of action, viable alternatives and management of complex, difficult and sensitive juvenile cases;

Meets with representatives from the State’s Attorney’s and Public Defender’s Offices, court administrators, judges and masters, legal representatives, police, public and private agency personnel, parents and families to obtain or clarify information, explain procedures and expectations, address questions concerning cases, discuss staff recommendations and court presentations, resolve concerns and complaints and negotiate alternative placements;

Conducts and attends in-service training on current juvenile treatment and behavior modification theories, principles, techniques and practices;

Represents the Department at public meetings and on committees, local boards and task forces to discuss juvenile services, issues, resources, programs and procedures;

Prepares and presents testimony for court proceedings in the adjudication and disposition of juvenile cases;

May represent the Department on the Local Coordinating Council and the State Coordinating Council;

May direct community detention services;

Performs other related duties.

1. Candidates appointed to positions in this classification are required to become fully certified by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission within 90 days of appointment and maintain certification while employed.

2. Specific educational and experience requirements are set by the agency based on the essential job functions assigned to the position.

Class Descriptions are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Management Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Management Service positions.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.