DIRECTOR OF POLICY AND RESEARCH (PROGRAM MANAGER IV)

State of Maryland - LABOR - Family and Medical Leave Insurance
100 South Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
Posted 

Job Description

Introduction

Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program will ensure all workers in Maryland have paid time off for medical and/or family reasons. FAMLI is a social insurance system covering 2.6 million workers and 180,000 employers, delivered as a digitally native, public-facing service. We’re in the early stages of building something as big and as far-reaching as unemployment insurance or a new health department. We know that delivering services primarily through a website, over the Internet, is a new way of doing business in government. As the Policy & Research Team, we work collaboratively with the other FAMLI teams, as well as our Maryland Department of Labor colleagues, colleagues at other agencies, and non-governmental stakeholders to develop the underlying policies for the FAMLI program.
The Director, a senior member of the FAMLI Division, will serve as a primary compliance and policy subject-matter-expert and point-of-contact for Department and Division leadership. The Director will stand up the research and knowledge management functions of the FAMLI Division, including developing standard operating procedures for internal and external governing document creation, revision, approval, and storage. The Director will also manage the drafting of regulations, guidance and fact sheets; serve on working groups; direct research and writing projects; and mentor junior colleagues.

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

GRADE

22

LOCATION OF POSITION

100 S. Charles Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Main Purpose of Job

The Director is a senior member of the FAMLI Division focusing on the regulatory and policy development of the FAMLI system. The Director serves as primary compliance and policy subject-matter-expert and point-of-contact for Department and Division leadership. The Director initiates, coordinates and evaluates policy projects related to the establishment and administration of Maryland’s family and medical leave system. The Director is also tasked with standing up the research and knowledge management functions for the FAMLI Division. Designated duties will support the FAMLI Division in promoting, planning, developing and implementing the system, as required by statute, regulation, executive order, and/or departmental priority that will facilitate efficient and effective delivery of FAMLI services.

POSITION DUTIES

Provide leadership and day-to-day management to the FAMLI Policy & Research Function
  • Lead and direct the day-to-day operations of the FAMLI Policy & Research Function including supervision, process review and improvement, planning and project development.
  • Provide leadership and mentorship to junior colleagues.
  • Serve as a senior member of management for the Division.
Spearhead the development of original implementing regulations for FAMLI enforcement and creation of a self-employed option.
  • Develop and implement the framework for writing the original implementing regulations and subsequent amendments.
  • Design, supervise and approve special projects.
  • Issue FAMLI policies decisions for final approval by Division and Department Leadership.
Oversee the development of policy materials for use by Division functions.
  • Approve program guidebooks, regulations and other Departmental policies for both external and internal use.
Approve background materials, including briefing materials, talking points, presentations, fact sheets, and other materials for personal use and use by the Assistant Secretary, Deputy Assistant Secretary and other FAMLI senior staff.
Engage stakeholders to participate in the development of FAMLI.
  • Evaluate and integrate stakeholder input (employee groups, employer groups, insurers, third party administrators, advocates, etc.) into FAMLI policies.
  • Schedule, plan and attend meetings with stakeholders as Division representatives.
  • Serve as a Division representative in communications with the public.
Create and Lead the Knowledge Management Function for FAMLI.
  • Hire and lead the Knowledge Management Team.
  • Create and document processes.
Create and Lead the Research Function for FAMLI.
  • Hire and lead the research team.
  • Set goals and priorities for the function.
  • Review final reports.
Support the Division’s legislative efforts.
  • Evaluate legislation affecting FAMLI program, including drafting fiscal note responses, providing oral and written testimony and responding to legislative inquiries.
  • Recommend and draft legislative initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:
  • Master's degree in Law, Social Work, Public Policy or a related field.
Experience:
  • Qualified candidates must possess five (5) years of professional experience, including three (3) years of management responsibilities, in developing or implementing policies and/or programs.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Desired or Preferred Qualifications
  • Thoughtful listener, a strategic thinker, and respectful consensus builder, with the ability to understand mission-driven organizations, with unquestionable integrity.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and lead junior colleagues.
  • Strong organizational skills, a flexible work style and able to manage multiple challenging projects simultaneously in a fast-paced work environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Commitment to standing up Maryland’s paid family and medical leave program.
You’ll fit right in at FAMLI if:
  • You value autonomy in your work, strive to achieve mastery in your field, and are energized by working for a mission-driven organization
  • You’re a strong and inclusive leader who works well with people
  • You’re an excellent collaborator
  • You are excited about solving complex human and organizational issues
  • You’re an organized person who has experience coordinating complex projects
  • You’re great at delegating ownership to capable people

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

All candidates are subject to a background check against files maintained by the Division of Unemployment Insurance (Labor/DUI) to determine whether any monies are owed to Labor/DUI as a result of unemployment insurance overpayment/fraud. Any unpaid debt may have an impact on whether or not a candidate is offered employment.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide enough information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning the qualifications, including any required documentation, must be submitted and received by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be considered. Applications that meet minimum and/or selective qualifications will be referred to the hiring unit for interview selection. Units will select those candidates most closely demonstrating the qualifications for the interview.

A resume and cover letter must be included with your application. Please upload one Word or PDF file that includes your combined resume and cover letter using the “Transcript” upload function or via the JobAps “Other” tab.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.
The examination for this recruitment will be an evaluation and rating of the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is essential that the application is filled out completely and accurately, listing all relevant education and experience, addressing the specific qualifications shown above and submitting any required documentation (diploma, transcript, certification, license, etc.). Please include clear, detailed and specific information on your application regarding experience qualifications related to the minimum qualifications, desired, and/or selective qualifications of the position.

***Please note that your answers on the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your application to receive credit.

BENEFITS

This is a full-time, permanent position and eligible for full State benefits, which include:
  • Flexible hours and hybrid teleworking
  • Paid holidays 12-13 per year
  • Generous paid leave package (annual, sick, personal and compensatory leave)
State Pension ("defined benefit" plan) Tax-deferred supplemental retirement savings plans (401(k) and 457)
  • Comprehensive, subsidized health, dental and prescription plans with little to no deductibles, free generic prescriptions, and free preventative health services
  • Flexible Spending Account plans for Health Care and Daycare
  • State Employees Credit Union

To learn more, please click this link STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

U.S. Military Veterans may qualify for additional bonus points towards certification. Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing a U.S. Military form DD 214 verifying honorable discharge from service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). Permanent State employees do not need to submit proof of Veterans’ status.

If you are unable to apply online, or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit via email to erika.leonard-anderson1@maryland.gov. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

PLEASE DO NOT FAX OR EMAIL UNSOLICITED DOCUMENTATION

Completed applications, required documentation, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

Maryland Department of Labor / Office of Administration
Attn: Erika Leonard-Anderson 25-005479-0033
100 S. Charles Street, 5th Floor
Baltimore, MD 21201

The MD State Application Form can be found online

Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of DLLR that all persons have equal opportunity and access to employment opportunities, services, and facilities without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, disability or veteran status.