Program Director -Access to JusticeMaryland State Judiciary

The Maryland Judiciary offers a generous benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition assistance, continuing education programs, employee assistance programs, and State Retirement and Pension plans. Telework, up to 2 days per week, may also be available. Telework eligibility is based on job functions and the approval of the Administrative Head.

Maryland Judiciary Benefits (mdcourts.gov) 

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Essential Job Functions:  

The Program Director, Access to Justice, supports the Judiciary's mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all by developing policies and programs to enhance access to the Maryland courts and the justice system. The director oversees a team of legal and language professionals dedicated to developing and implementing initiatives to expand access to, and enhance the quality of, justice in civil legal matters by enhancing meaningful participation in the courts, developing innovative tools, resources, and practices to address barriers to justice, and by assisting the courts in accomplishing its mission in a diverse and changing world. The team includes oversight responsibility for the Maryland Court Help Centers, operating the Court Interpreter Program and court language services, supporting the courts in responding effectively to the needs of persons with disabilities, and developing and maintaining a large body of online and video content to support the public in using the courts. The director is responsible for managing the Access to Justice Grants program and coordinates with stakeholders in the civil legal aid delivery system and the bar to promote innovative solutions to enhance to justice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct oversight of a Lead a team of skilled professionals to develop and implement innovative programs and provide tools, resources, and practices to address barriers to justice and assist the courts in accomplishing the Judiciary's mission in a diverse and changing world 

Provide strategic guidance as well as direct oversight for large contracts to operate key court resources including the Maryland Court Help Centers. Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff to handle daily operational tasks managed by the department. Evaluate projects, develop reports, and analyze the impact of access to justice initiatives.

Review Maryland law, Maryland Rules, and policies to ensure there is alignment with access to justice and recommend changes. Provide strategic guidance to a team of professionals as well as direct oversight for large contracts to operate key court resources including the Maryland Court Help Centers. Recruit, hire, train, and supervise staff to handle daily operational tasks managed by the department. Evaluate projects, develop reports, and analyze the impact of access to justice initiatives.

Serves as a resource for judges, court administrators, court clerks, Judicial Council committees, other divisions/departments within the AOC, program coordinators, service providers, and other stakeholders in the field who depend on support from the Law, rule, and policy development to support access to justice.

Oversee and manages departmental budget planning and finances. Oversee the process for program evaluation, data collection, and performance metrics.  Oversee the management of the ATJ Grant program and related MOUs.

Staff or co-staff Judiciary committees and subcommittees, including the Court Access Committee and the Equal Justice Committee, carrying out the priorities of those committees and fulfilling the Judiciary's strategic plan as it relates to access to justice.

Oversee Court Interpreter Program to ensure interpreters and translators are provided where needed and that those with limited English proficiency, as well as those who are deaf or hard of hearing, have full access to the courts and court-relate services. 

Oversee production of public-facing court help resources including videos, tip sheets, smart forms, and other applications to assist unrepresented litigants in navigating the court system.

Engage with counterparts and stakeholders at the national level providing subject matter expertise at conferences, authoring reports, and speaking on behalf of the Maryland Judiciary.

Collaborate with other Judiciary and justice system partners to promote a comprehensive and innovative approach to advancing access to justice.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

Juris Doctorate

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience in access to justice or a relevant field.

Required: Member in good standing with the Maryland State Bar.

Preferred: JD with family law expertise.

Licenses and Certifications required:

Member, Maryland Bar on active status

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: 

Knowledge and experience coordinating multiple programs, contracts, and vendors.

Knowledge and familiarity of Maryland law, the Maryland Rules, and legal practices.

Knowledge of ADA and federal law relevant to the work of the department.

Knowledge of the Maryland Attorneys' Rules of Professional Conduct.

Knowledge of data collection and reporting procedures, Judiciary systems (GEARS, Procurement policies), and familiarity with the Judiciary's strategic plan.

Knowledge of Judiciary structure and departments, helpful.

Skill in:           

Skill in strategic planning.

Skill in facilitating dialogue and incorporating differing viewpoints among various stakeholders inside and outside the Judiciary.

Skill in Excel and the ability to adapt to a variety of software and web-enabled technologies.

Ability to:       

Ability to advocate for resources.

Ability to include a broad range of stakeholders in a consensus-building process to achieve effective reforms or implement innovative strategies to enhance access to justice.

Ability to manage multiple high priority projects simultaneously.

Ability to meet tight and competing deadlines is crucial. Attention to detail.

Ability to consult with stakeholders inside and outside the Judiciary and identify, research, analyze, and recommend policies and programs to pursue on behalf of Marylanders facing barriers to justice.

Ability to communicate clearly, effectively, and professionally in-person, by telephone and by email.

Ability to present material to large and varied groups in-person and via webinar.

Ability to make sound program recommendations and present them clearly and concisely to leadership.

Ability to adapt and respond to changing environments.

Ability to work with a variety of individuals including senior court leadership, judges, AOC and District Court personnel, vendors, attorneys, legal services providers, stakeholders, and the general public.

Physical Requirements:

Sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equipment, Machinery and Tools:

Personal Computer

Personal vehicle or eligibility to drive a state vehicle.

Software and Computer Skills:

Microsoft Office, MDEC, Adobe Professional, Schedule Interpreter, Power BI (dashboard updates and management), SharePoint, Common Look (remediation for accessibility).

Selection Process:

Your application package will be used to determine your eligibility, qualifications, and ranking for this position. If you are determined to be ineligible or not qualified, your application will receive no further consideration. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. If you have held more than one (1) position at the same employer, you must list each position that you held, the length of time that you held each position, and the corresponding duties. Description of duties that state, "see resume" will negatively impact consideration for this position. Applicants will not be contacted for additional information. Only applicants considered for this position will be contacted.

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

For further information please contact Talent Acquisition at aocta@mdcourts.gov.

The Maryland Judiciary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation during the application and/or interview process should send their request via email to ADA@mdcourts.gov or call 410-260-1732. The Maryland Judiciary is a drug-free workplace. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. 

Please find the Maryland Judiciary's equal employment opportunity policy here: Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation.