THIS IS A NON-CIVIL SERVICE POSITION

Salary Range:

$107,187.00 - 176,715.00 Annually

Starting Pay:

$113,000.00 - $141,950.00 Annually

Get to Know Us

Welcome to the City of Baltimore! Experience the reward of a fulfilling career and enjoy the added element of excitement in a vibrant, diverse atmosphere. The City of Baltimore offers limitless opportunities to help drive social impact, both on the job and in the community, while serving its citizens. Join us in making Baltimore a great place to live and work. In the City of Baltimore, we hire great people and provide them with the skills and opportunities to grow toward their career aspirations. If you are looking for a career change or are interested in learning more, explore our opportunities and benefits programs. We are excited to have you as a part of the City of Baltimore Team! The city offers medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, optional life, AD&D, and FSA plans. This office also supplies wellness programs, support groups, and workshops. You can learn about our benefits here: https://humanresources.baltimorecity.gov/hr-divisions/benefits

Job Summary

The Deputy Director serves as a senior legal and operational leader within OECR and supports the Director in overseeing the agency’s civil rights, compliance, and policy responsibilities. This position provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight across agency-wide programs and administrative functions. The Deputy Director provides legal and strategic guidance on civil rights laws, equity policies, and regulatory compliance while helping manage complex cases, investigations, and policy initiatives across OECR divisions. The Deputy Director works closely with agency leadership, City departments, and external partners to ensure that OECR programs and enforcement efforts are legally sound, effective, and aligned with the City’s commitment to equity and civil rights. This role supports the execution of OECR’s strategic initiatives, coordinates executive-level priorities, and ensures the timely and effective delivery of programs and services that promote equity, inclusion, and nondiscrimination across Baltimore City government. The Deputy Director exercises independent judgment in a complex public-sector environment, requiring legal expertise, policy acumen, political awareness, and the ability to lead collaboratively across City agencies and community partners. The Deputy Director also represents the Office in high-level internal and external engagements, including presentations to boards, City Council, community stakeholders, and City leadership, and serves as a key liaison between the Director, City agencies, elected officials, and community organizations. The Deputy Director may act on behalf of the Director and Chief Equity Officer in internal and external matters when designated and provides leadership support to ensure alignment and coordination across OECR divisions, programs, and commissions.

Essential Functions

Legal and Policy Leadership

• Provide legal guidance on federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulatory requirements.
• Support the development and implementation of policies advancing equity and civil rights compliance across City government.
• Review policies, procedures, and program decisions to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor legal developments and advise leadership on issues that may affect OECR programs and responsibilities.

Civil Rights Enforcement and Compliance

• Assist in oversight of OECR divisions responsible for civil rights enforcement, investigations, and compliance monitoring.
• Provide guidance on complex civil rights complaints, investigations, and enforcement actions.
• Review investigative findings and provide recommendations to agency leadership.
• Coordinate with the City Solicitor’s Office on legal matters related to civil rights enforcement.

Agency Operations and Program Oversight

• Provide leadership oversight and coordination across OECR divisions and commissions to ensure alignment with agency priorities, policies, and strategic initiatives.
• Support the Director in establishing performance expectations, operational standards, and accountability mechanisms for OECR programs and initiatives.
• Monitor division performance and program implementation to ensure consistency with agency goals, legal requirements, and operational standards.
• Work with division leadership to address operational challenges, improve program effectiveness, and ensure timely delivery of services.

Division Oversight and Coordination

• Provide leadership oversight and coordination across OECR divisions and commissions to ensure alignment with agency priorities, policies, and strategic initiatives.
• Support the Director in establishing performance expectations, operational standards, and accountability mechanisms for OECR programs and initiatives.
• Monitor division performance and program implementation to ensure consistency with agency goals, legal requirements, and operational standards.
• Work with division leadership to address operational challenges, improve program effectiveness, and ensure timely delivery of services.

Strategic Planning and Policy Development

• Assist the Director in advancing the City’s equity and civil rights strategic priorities through policy development, program implementation, and cross-agency collaboration.
• Lead or support drafting of legislation, regulations, and administrative policies to advance civil rights compliance and equitable governance.
• Support the implementation and monitoring of citywide equity initiatives and nondiscrimination policies across Baltimore City government.

Interagency and Community Engagement

• Provide strategic guidance and foster partnerships with City departments, community organizations, and external stakeholders to advance equitable policies and programs.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with City agencies, elected officials, community organizations, advocacy groups, and external partners.
• Represent the Office at meetings, hearings, conferences, and community events.

Organizational Leadership and Workforce Development

• Lead and support the development of a high-performing workforce by supervising, coaching, and evaluating managerial staff.
• Assign and monitor work to ensure timely completion of projects and initiatives.
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, and professional development across the agency.
• Reporting and Executive Communications
• Contribute to executive briefings, policy reports, presentations, and strategic communications.
• Coordinate the operations of the Director’s Office to ensure effective communication with the Mayor’s Office, City Council, State Legislature, and the public.
• Research, analyze, and prepare complex reports related to program performance, compliance outcomes, and policy initiatives.

Other Duties

• Support agency operations during citywide emergencies and continuity-of-operations activities.
• Maintain professional knowledge through participation in relevant training, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Have a Law Degree from an accredited law school.

AND

Experience: Seven (7) years of legal or policy experience related to civil rights, employment law, administrative law, government compliance, or related fields. Experience working in government, public policy, or civil rights enforcement preferred. Experience supervising teams and managing multi-division programs, preferably in government or civil rights contexts. Demonstrated experience providing legal or policy guidance to senior leadership within government, public institutions, or complex organizations.

OR

Equivalency Notes: Have an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local civil rights laws and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of administrative law and government regulatory processes.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, civil rights enforcement, and equity policy.
• Knowledge of budgeting, fiscal oversight, and administrative controls within a public-sector environment.
• Ability to provide executive leadership and strategic direction within a complex public organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to assess complex legal and policy issues and develop effective solutions.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and political awareness when addressing sensitive or high-impact matters.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing clear and concise policy recommendations, reports, and executive briefings.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to supervise staff, assign and evaluate work, and support leadership development.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to civil rights and public administration.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, fairness, public service, and continuous organizational improvement.

Additional Information

Background Check

Eligible candidates under final consideration for appointment to positions identified as positions of trust will be required to complete authorization for a Criminal Background Check and/or Fingerprint screening, and must be successfully completed.

Probation

All persons, including current City employees, selected for this position must complete a 6-month mandatory probation.

Residency and Financial Disclosure

This position is subject to Article I, Section 7-10 of the Baltimore City Code, which mandates that the incumbent both reside and be a registered voter of Baltimore City at the time of appointment or sign a declaration of intent to become a City resident and registered voter within 6 months of the effective date of their appointment. Failure to comply with the declaration of intent will result in immediate termination. You will also be required to complete a Financial Disclosure pursuant to Sections 7-7, 7-8, and 7-9 of the City Ethics Law. The initial financial disclosure must be submitted within 30 days of hire.

Baltimore City Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.  The City of Baltimore prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  Applicants requiring accommodation during the hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources directly. Requests for accommodation should not be attached to the application.

BALTIMORE CITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER