State of Maryland

A DJS Resources Specialist is the full performance level of work identifying service options and recommending expenditures for the treatment and care of juveniles under the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Services.  Employees ensure that individualized services adhere to departmental protocols, meet the needs of juveniles in the least restrictive environment, and are fiscally responsible and consistent with public safety concerns.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a DJS Resources Specialist Supervisor or other designated administrator.  The work may require travel to visit homes, schools, community based services and juvenile residential facilities throughout the State.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by 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 Resources Specialist is differentiated from DJS Resources Specialist Supervisor in that the DJS Resources Specialist Supervisor has supervisory responsibilities for DJS Resources Specialists while the DJS Resources Specialist performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Identifies service options and recommends expenditures for the treatment and care of juveniles under the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Services;

Ensures that individualized services adhere to departmental protocols, meet the needs of juveniles in the least restrictive environment, and are fiscally responsible and consistent with public safety concerns;

Develops contracts, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and specifications, and negotiates with private vendors to procure services;

Analyzes placement and services needed by juvenile populations, identifies trends, and develops projections and recommendations for future needs;

Coordinates the placement process for juveniles who may need special services or out-of-home placement by consulting with case managers;

Develops treatment options and advises case managers and others of available programs and funding;

Participates in treatment team review meetings that determine the appropriateness and need for continued placement of juveniles;

Documents juvenile case activities, such as placement recommendations and justifications, in an automated database system;

Acts as liaison with public and private providers to ensure that juveniles receive appropriate consideration with referrals, admission, retention and treatment services;

Investigates and resolves problems associated with securing and maintaining placement or services from specific providers;

Acts as liaison with other agencies and organizations to secure needed services for juveniles or to coordinate services for co-committed juveniles;

Consults with parents, legal guardians, attorneys, and public and private agency personnel to obtain or clarify information and coordinate resource services;

Conducts site visits to public and private facilities to keep abreast of program services and maintain informational resources;

Assists in the assessment of program effectiveness, development of new solicitations for services or programs, and the selection of contractors;

Attends in-service training courses to keep abreast of current juvenile treatment and behavior modification theories, principles, protocols and practices;

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

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the public and private resources addressing juvenile service needs in the areas of residential and non-residential treatment, behavior modification, education, employment, health, detention and law enforcement;

Knowledge of the laws, regulations, policies and procedures applicable to juvenile services programs;

Knowledge of the principles, methods, techniques and practices associated with the treatment and rehabilitation of juveniles;

Ability to identify fiscal resources for the treatment and care of juveniles;

Ability to develop contracts, requests for proposals, bid solicitations and specifications for juvenile services;

Ability to negotiate with vendors to procure services;

Ability to develop and coordinate interagency, community and private agency programs and services;

Ability to use computer systems to produce reports and presentations and access informational resources;

Ability to maintain confidentiality of juvenile case materials and related information;

Ability to prepare accurate, clear and complete reports;

Ability to communicate effectively with staff from juvenile services facilities, parents and families, attorneys, law enforcement personnel, representatives from public and private organizations and the general public.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in the social or behavioral sciences or criminal justice from an accredited four year college or university.

Experience: Two years of experience providing case management services to emotionally or socially maladjusted, delinquent, victimized or exceptional juveniles in a community or residential setting.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute possession of an Associate of Arts degree in the social or behavioral sciences or criminal justice from an accredited college or university and two years of experience providing direct services to children in a community or residential setting for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute possession of a Master’s degree in the social or behavioral sciences or criminal justice from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Social Services classifications or Social Services specialty codes in the Social Science, Psychology and Welfare field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Class specifications 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.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit H, Public Safety and Security classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.