ADMINISTRATOR IV (Senior Researcher/ Policy Strategist)

Introduction

The Maryland Office of the Public Defender (MOPD) is an\r\nindependent state agency charged with providing superior, client-centered\r\nrepresentation to indigent individuals at all stages of the legal process.\r\nMOPD’s vision is Justice, Fairness, and Dignity for All. Operating\r\nacross 24 jurisdictions, our dedicated team of over 1,000 attorneys,\r\ninvestigators, social workers, and administrative professionals works\r\ncollaboratively to protect fundamental constitutional rights, preserve liberty,\r\nand advocate for systemic justice reform across Maryland.��OPD promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion\r\nin all aspects of its work and welcomes candidates with lived experience in the\r\ncriminal legal system.\r\nWe are seeking a bold, mission-driven quantitative\r\nthinker who excels at turning complex legal and operational data into powerful\r\npolicy narratives. The ideal candidate thrives under high-stakes pressure,\r\npossesses exceptional technical and analytical precision, and can seamlessly\r\ntranslate 'raw data' into actionable executive briefings and\r\npersuasive legislative arguments.\r\n\r\n\r\nThe position requires a collaborative\r\nstrategist who can build strong bridges across agency leadership, local trial\r\noffices, IT teams, and external stakeholders. We are seeking a candidate with a\r\ndeep, unwavering commitment to client-centered representation and systemic\r\nequity using empirical evidence to uphold OPD's truth-telling function and\r\nensure resources directly serve the needs of our clients. All applicants must be able to communicate with clients and visitors and possess the ability to complete tasks in a fast-paced work environment.�\r\n\r\n\r\nMOPD is further committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs and activities by modifying or adjusting the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee considered for the position they desire; to perform the essential functions of the position in question; or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities, unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship. Applicants must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment. Applicants must have access to a motor vehicle or be able to navigate public transportation. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact Tawanda Jackson, Human Resources Supervisor, 410-767-8503� tawandal.jackson@maryland.gov.\r\n

GRADE

STD0019

LOCATION OF POSITION

6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

The Senior Researcher & Policy Strategist serves as the lead architect of OPD’s data-driven narrative, bridging the gap between raw operational data and high-stakes policy decisions. This position transforms complex datasets into a unified agency-wide strategy, ensuring that OPD’s budget requests, legislative testimony, and public reporting reflect the ground-level realities of public defense.\r\n

POSITION DUTIES

� ��●\r\nAgency-Wide Data Strategy: Build and\r\noperationalize a unified data strategy across OPD’s statewide system; design\r\ndata collection frameworks reflecting public defense operations; ensure data\r\nintegrity across divisions.\r\n� � ●\r\nHigh-Stakes Reporting & Narrative\r\nDevelopment: Lead the development of the OPD Annual Report; drive Managing\r\nfor Results (MFR) reporting; produce executive-level briefings connecting data\r\nto tradeoffs and outcomes.� �\r\n� � ● Budget & Resource Advocacy: Serve as\r\na core architect of the OPD budget data compilation and graphics; analyze\r\ncaseload trends, staffing models, and system pressures to support funding\r\nrequests and justify resource allocation.�\r\n� � ●\r\nStrategic Planning & System Analysis:\r\nHelp design and track OPD’s strategic plan with client-centered metrics;\r\nidentify systemic trends, disparities, and policy failures to elevate to\r\nexecutive leadership.�\r\n� � ●\r\nLegislative & Policy Integration:\r\nProvide rapid-response research for legislative strategy and testimony; partner\r\nwith communications and policy teams to ensure statistically sound public\r\nmessaging.\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:���Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate. \r\nExperience:�Six years of administrative staff or professional work.� \r\nNotes: \r\n1. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.\r\n2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree�from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.� \r\n3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university�for five years of�the required�experience. \r\n4.�Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. \r\n

SELECTIVE QUALIFICATIONS

●\r\nFive (5) years of\r\nadministrative or professional experience conducting policy-relevant research,\r\ndata analysis, program evaluation, or strategic planning.\r\n

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

●\r\nGraduation from an accredited\r\ncollege or university with a Bachelor's degree in a relevant social science\r\nfield (political science, sociology, economics, public policy, etc.).\r\n●\r\nAdvanced proficiency in quantitative and\r\nstatistical analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, SQL, STATA).\r\n●\r\nHands-on experience developing interactive data\r\ndashboards using visualization software (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).\r\n●\r\nProven track record of translating complex\r\nfiscal, operational, or legal datasets into high-level policy narratives and\r\nexecutive briefings.\r\n●\r\nExperience in criminal legal system research,\r\nindigent defense, health, immigration or public sector policy analysis.\r\n●\r\nAbility to translate complex findings for\r\nnon-technical/policymaker audiences; strong writing and presentation skills.\r\n●\r\nExperience working with government agencies,\r\nnonprofits or community organizations\r\n

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.\r\n

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.\r\n

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of the position.� You may be required to complete a qualifications supplement, or the rating may be based on your application.� Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.� Report all experience and education that is related to this position.\r\n

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

\r\nOnline Applications Preferred. �Please fax all paper applications and questionnaires to (410) 333-2260.Inquiries regarding applications and submitting paper applications can be directed to: Office of the Public Defender, Human Resources Division, 6 Saint Paul Street, Suite 1304, Baltimore, MD 21202; or by calling (410) 767-8500, toll free: 877-430-5187; TTY users call Maryland Relay Service 800-735-2258.\r\n\r\n\r\nPlease be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and job announcement number on any documentation to ensure timely processing. A paper copy of the MD State application form and questionnaire can be downloaded from the link below.\r\n\r\n\r\nAs an Equal Opportunity Employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.� We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.\r\n\r\n\r\n