Mid-Atlantic HERC

The Embrace Initiative: A Civic Engagement Initiative at University of Maryland, Baltimore has an exciting opportunity for a dedicated, caring, and team-oriented Safer Stronger Together Family Navigator OR Senior Family Navigator (Community Program Specialist or Senior Community Program Specialist). The mission of The Embrace Initiative is to create pathways for community empowerment. We accomplish our mission through partnerships between grassroots, non-profits, city and state agencies, and communities.

The Embrace Initiative is partnering with state government to launch the Safer Stronger Together Initiative (SST). The Safer Stronger Together Initiative was developed by leadership of the MD Department of Human Services (responsible for child welfare, public benefits and child support services), the MD Department of Juvenile Services (the state's juvenile justice system), and the MD Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (statewide correctional, parole and probation services). The three agencies have identified over 2,000 families across Maryland who touch two or more of their three systems. The Safer Stronger Together Initiative, in close partnership with the Embrace Initiative at UMB, will bring staff at these three agencies together to collaborate and coordinate to serve shared families. The Safer Stronger Together Family Navigator will be assigned to a site within one of the three agencies to act as the liaison with the families and the public agencies, to assist families in advocating for themselves, and taking advantage of available resources.

This is a contractual position with one opening in each location:
Hagerstown, MD; Salisbury, MD; and Baltimore, MD.

Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Benefits Information
UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development, along with additional exciting perks that employees can take advantage of. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

Primary Duties
Community Program Specialist

• Assist in the management of liaison services between the SST families, the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); by monitoring progress and operations program components and ensure the highest quality programming for all participants. Provide solutions to issues and judgment outside of pre-established guidelines or processes.
• Coordinate with other programs by attending meetings and keeping the Director of Community Outreach informed regarding new programs, programming needs, and other relevant issues.
• Develop and maintain relationships with SST families to create network of supportive services needed for families to be successful.
• Develop and facilitate workshops, meetings or conferences, coordinate logistics, scheduling, and participant communications.
• Work closely with partners to develop and provide appropriate trainings, workshops, field trips, and recognition events for participants.
• Develop and schedule program work plan in accordance with specifications and funding limitations in order to shape the program.
• Oversee daily operations; organize program activities; and set priorities.
• Maintain and facilitate program data in compliance and with programmatic reports required by sponsors. Make recommendations to management in use of funds to ensure compliance and prepare for regular program audits by sponsors. Collect, complete, and submit program information in required formats for various reporting including internal quarterly program updates and sponsors reports.
• Provide routine and non-routine technical advice, problem solving assistance, and answer questions. Interpret program goals and policies and provide administrative support to the program team.
• Develop and prepare written products such as training materials, website content, final progress reports, and promotional materials.
• Recommend resources for the improvement of the program.
• Assist in evaluating program effectiveness to develop improved methods; devise evaluation methodology and implements; analyze results and recommend and/or take appropriate action. Has the authority to formulate, affect, interpret, or implement policies or procedures to ensure effective operation of the program.
• Using state of the art technology, use sophisticated searching techniques to conduct indepth research of for program's complex and unique information requests. Develop and maintain internet web site files and/or listings.
• Interact and maintain liaison/partnership with students, faculty, staff and agencies in facilitating program objectives. Serve as a primary contact and thinks critically about all aspects of the program to resolve questions and make decisions related to the program.
• Assess and identify constituent needs and coordinate services for individuals and families being served.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Senior Community Program Specialist

• Responsible for all aspects of coordination of liaison services between the SST families the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS), and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS); by monitoring progress and operations program components and ensure the highest quality programming for all participants. Provide solutions to issues and judgment outside of pre-established guidelines or processes.
• In collaboration with programmatic leadership, plan, develop, administer and coordinate new or revised goals and objectives for SST. Lead program development and implementation that require significant assessment, evaluation, and intervention utilizing best practice/promising practice models.
• Maintain and foster relationships with SST families and partners to create network of supportive services needed for program users to be successful. Develop and implement recruiting plans for program groups, individual, and/or families. Ensure compliance with work plan and deliverables.
• Develop and facilitate workshops, meetings or conferences, coordinate logistics, scheduling, and participant communications.
• Work closely with partners to develop and provide appropriate trainings, workshops, field trips, and recognition events for participants. Coordinate logistics, scheduling, communications, and participation.
• Manage program work plans in accordance with specifications and funding limitations in order to shape the program. Oversee daily operations; organize program activities; and set priorities.
• Maintain and facilitate program data in compliance and with programmatic reports required by sponsors. Make recommendations to management in use of funds to ensure compliance and prepare for regular program audits by sponsors. Collect, complete, and submit program information in required formats for various reporting including internal quarterly program updates and sponsors reports.
• Collect, complete, and submit program information in required formats for various reporting including internal quarterly program updates and agency reports. Provide technical advice, troubleshooting, and problem solving. Interpret program goals and policies, and provide administrative support to the program team.
• Lead the development and preparation of written products such as training materials, website content, final progress reports, pre- and post- award reports regarding funding and/or funding continuation from outside sponsors, and promotional materials.
• Recommend resources for the improvement of the program.
• Assist in evaluating program effectiveness to develop improved methods; devise evaluation methodology and implements; analyze results and recommend and/or take appropriate action. Has the authority to formulate, affect, interpret, or implement policies or procedures to ensure effective operation of the program.
• Using state of the art technology, use sophisticated searching techniques to conduct in depth research of for program's complex and unique information requests. Develop and maintain internet web site files and/or listings.
• Interact and maintain liaison/partnership SST families and agencies in facilitating program objectives. Serve as a primary contact and thinks critically about all aspects of the program to resolve questions and make decisions related to the program.
• Assess and identify constituent needs and coordinate services for individuals and families being served.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Family Navigator (Community Program Specialist)
Education: Bachelor's degree. Degree in social sciences, such as social work or psychology preferred.
Experience: Two (2) years of community program coordination, development, oversight, or administration.
Other: Related experience to program may be substituted for education. Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Senior Family Navigator (Senior Community Program Specialist)
Education: Bachelor's degree. Degree in social sciences, such as social work or psychology preferred.
Experience: Three (3) years of community program coordination, development, oversight, or administration.
Other: Related experience to program may be substituted for education. Ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of position requirements. Knowledge of all applicable requirements, regulations, and laws. Skill in effective use of applicable technology/systems. Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Ability to work cooperatively with others and independently. Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Respect and Integrity, Well-being and Sustainability, Equity and Justice, and Innovation and Discovery.

Hiring Range for the Family Navigator: $56,000 - $63,000, commensurate with education and experience.

Hiring Range for the Senior Family Navigator: $66,000 - $74,000, commensurate with education and experience.

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Talent Recruitment department at HRJobs@umaryland.edu.

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request. You may also contact HRDiversity@umaryland.edu. Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination for more information.