Director of Operations (Program Manager IV)

Introduction

The Maryland State Department of Education is dedicated to supporting a world-class educational system that prepares all students for college and career success in the 21st century. With excellent stewardship from our divisions, we oversee State and federal programs that support the needs of a diverse population â students, teachers, principals, and other educators throughout Maryland.

This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

GRADE

STD0022

Salary Range: $99,442 - $142,037 with progression to $156,822

• State Salary Guidelines may apply for current State employees.

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Center for School Safety

Bowie State Office

14000 Jericho Park Road; Proctor 240

Bowie, MD 20715-9465

Main Purpose of Job

The Director of Operations (Program Manager IV) serves on the Executive Team at the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS), reporting directly to the Executive Director. This executive management position provides strategic direction, operational oversight, and program administration for core agency divisionsâincluding the Training and Certification Unit, Prevention and Intervention Unit, Safe Schools Maryland tipline, and regional preparedness initiatives. The position ensures MCSS and local school systems across Maryland meet all statutory and regulatory school safety mandates while leading emergency readiness, incident response, and stakeholder alignment.

POSITION DUTIES

As a key member of the Executive Team, the Director of Operations will drive strategic agency priorities, lead core operational programs, and advance statewide school safety through the following primary duties:

• Directing day-to-day operations, budgets, fleet resources, and cross-functional teams across MCSS operational units, including Training and Certification, Prevention and Intervention, Safe Schools Maryland, and agency preparedness functions.
• Establishing and driving short- and long-term program goals, visual dashboards, performance metrics, policies, and SOPs to ensure full statutory compliance across Maryland school systems.
• Ensuring immediate notification and situational reporting of high-priority school incidents and coordinates agency response and recovery efforts.
• Overseeing agency readiness cycles, emergency/continuity planning, active assailant exercises, school safety assessments, and post-incident recovery support for local school systems.
• Serving as the agency technical lead on juvenile and education law regarding violent threats, delivering high-stakes presentations and policy testimony to legislative committees, elected officials, and federal/state partners.
• Fostering trusted partnerships with local, state, and national school safety stakeholders, public safety agencies, and local School Safety Coordinators.
• Responding to emergency calls outside regular business hours and work extended shifts or weekend events during active incidents or exercises.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelorâs degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Six (6) years of professional administrative, operational, or program management experience.Â

Supervisory Experience: Three (3) years of the required experience must include direct supervision of professional employees or management of complex, multi-faceted operational programs.

Notes: Candidates may substitute the possession of a Masterâs degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the position option for one year of the required experience.

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet the selective qualification(s) to be considered. Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

Two (2) years of professional experience in operational command, program leadership,or policy administration within a public safety, school system, emergency management,law enforcement, or criminal/juvenile justice organization.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

• Three (3) or more years of command-level leadership experience within a law enforcement, emergency management, or public safety agency.
• Three (3) or more years of experience creating, reviewing, testing, or executing Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), behavioral threat assessments, or school safety/crisis response protocols.
• Two (2) or more years of experience analyzing legislation and translating statutory mandates into actionable agency policies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and strategic performance metrics.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure for all employees.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

It is preferred that applicants complete the MD State Government online application for employment. The application must clearly demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for the position. If you are unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below and mailed to MSDE Human Resources Branch, 200 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application, if you are unable to apply online.

All application materials must be received in our office by the closing date. Postmarks will not be accepted. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional required materials may be uploaded with the online application or mailed to the Human Resources Branch address listed above.

Inquiries can be made to 410-767-0012, TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay. Appropriate accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.

If you have difficulty with your user account or have general questions about this online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the Stateâs diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.