Are you Richmond R.E.A.D.Y? Respect. Equity. Accountability. Diversity…YOU!!!

This is an EXCITING time to Join the City of Richmond! We are committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. As we continue to make strides to becoming the employer of choice, we are thrilled about the below employee benefit enhancements:

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
Language Incentive
Referral Bonus
Tuition Assistance Program

Description

The City of Richmond is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Director of Justice Services. The Director of Justice Services provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the City’s juvenile justice system, and adult monitoring program ensuring the effective delivery of detention, diversion, rehabilitation, and reentry services. The Director is responsible for advancing evidence-based practices, reducing recidivism, protecting public safety, and promoting positive youth development through collaboration with courts, schools, law enforcement, social services, and community partners.
This executive level leadership position is responsible for the overall management, direction, and fiscal oversight of all Justice Services programs and personnel. The Director serves as a policy advisor to the Chief Administrative Officer on juvenile justice reform and system improvement initiatives. The position requires extensive knowledge of juvenile law, case management systems, trauma-informed care, and cross-sector collaboration

This is an unclassified position and works at the will of the Appointing Authority.

In accordance with City Code Sec. 2-1203; Beginning September 1, 2025, this position is subject to the residence requirements. Incumbents must establish a principal residence within the City not later than 18 months after commencing work in such position unless otherwise approved in accordance with the referenced code.

Duties include but are not limited to

Strategic Leadership and Planning:
- Develop and implement the department’s strategic vision, goals, and objectives to improve the Department of Justice Services
- Create and enforce policies and procedures to ensure the effective delivery of public safety programs and services.
- Monitor and analyze required assessments and available data to inform public safety programs and services.
Program Management:
- Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of valuable prevention services including juvenile community programs, juvenile detention center, pretrial supervision and probation management.
- Ensure programs and services are quality, meet requirement standards, and effectively enhance public safety and individual support.
- Performs regular site visits to the juvenile detention center and adult services locations to ensure oversight.
Financial Oversight:
- Develop and manage the department’s budget, ensuring responsibility and alignment with organizational priorities.
- Seek and secure funding through grants, donations, and partnerships to support department programs and initiatives.
- Monitor expenditures and implement cost-control measures to maximize resource utilization.
Personnel Management:
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of professionals dedicated to public service, quality programming, and strengthening families.
- Oversee recruitment, training, and performance evaluations of staff.
- Foster a positive work environment that promotes teamwork, professional growth, and high employee morale.
Compliance and Risk Management:
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies related to Justice Services.
- Develop and implement risk management strategies to protect the department and the individuals involved with Justice Services.
- Oversee safety programs and ensure adherence to safety standards.
Partnership Engagement:
- Serve as a liaison between the department, local organizations, and other stakeholders including state agencies, judicial organizations and the sheriff’s department.
- Promotes public relations by addressing inquiries and resolving issues, preparing, and reviewing correspondence.
- Facilitate community meetings, forums, and events to gather input, share information, and foster collaboration.
- Manage partnerships with local organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies to enhance diversion options and improve program delivery.
Continuous Improvement:
- Promote a culture of continuous improvement within the department.
- Implement innovative solutions and best practices to enhance service delivery and program effectiveness.
- Conduct regular assessments and audits of department operations to identify areas for improvement.
- Research initiatives from similar cities and determines their effectiveness for the city. Determines when initiatives are advantageous to the work of Justice Services.

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, law enforcement administration, social work, business administration, public administration or field directly related to assignment
Ten years of progressively responsible related experience that includes significant management and supervisory experience
A Master's Degree in a field directly related to Justice Services is preferred
An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid driver's license with a with a satisfactory driving record
A Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Extensive knowledge of juvenile justice systems, laws, and best practices.
Strong understanding of trauma-informed care, youth development, and family engagement strategies.
Ability to develop and manage complex budgets and grants.
Exceptional leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Ability to build coalitions and foster collaboration among diverse agencies and stakeholders.
Skilled in policy analysis, data interpretation, and performance-based management.
Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and restorative justice principles.

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk, hear, see, and perform repetitive motions; frequently reach, stand, walk, finger, and grasp; and occasionally climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, lift, and feel. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The City of Richmond provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Jessica McKenzie, Human Resources Manager by email at Jessica.McKenzie@RVA.GOV.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

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