Project Director

Job Description

Location: Washington, DC

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Duration: 12 month contract, with possible extension

W-2 or 1099

No C2C, visa transfers, or sponsorship

The DNA Group is seeking an experienced Project Director with expertise in juvenile justice or child welfare to lead the District of Columbia’s Continuum of Care implementation plan. This full-time leadership role supports improved outcomes for youth and families by facilitating the development of a comprehensive continuum of care for at-risk youth in the District. The Project Director will work closely with government and community stakeholders to address service gaps and establish a coordinated approach to prevention, intervention, and re-entry services.

Overview Requirements:

• Lead the Continuum of Care project for CJCC, aimed at improving service outcomes for at-risk youth and families in Washington, D.C.

• Convene and facilitate a Planning Council to guide the development of the implementation plan.

• Develop and manage a planning process that includes asset mapping, gap analysis, and data collection.

• Attend monthly CJCC staff meetings to report on project status, progress, and challenges.

• Draft agendas, meeting notes, and follow-up plans for Planning Council meetings.

• Conduct a literature review to identify best practices and model programs.

• Coordinate and execute site visits to two local model programs.

• Collaborate with the Planning Council to define key data points and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.

• Identify available services and service gaps through asset mapping.

• Conduct a needs and gap analysis to evaluate whether services meet the needs of at-risk youth and identify barriers to access.

• Produce a comprehensive final report detailing best practices, asset and gap findings, and a full continuum of care plan with an implementation timeline.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field of social sciences, preferably with a specialization in criminal justice, juvenile justice, or behavioral sciences.

• Background in social sciences, preferably with a specialization in criminal justice, juvenile justice, or behavioral sciences.

• Proven project management experience.

• Experience conducting research and evaluations using public health or justice system administrative data.

• Strong understanding of public health and criminal justice systems and social service delivery for at-risk or system-involved youth.

• Ability to collaborate with stakeholders and maintain consistent project communication.

• Skilled in analyzing data from varied sources to form a complete picture of youth service needs.

• Capable of engaging community members and youth effectively in planning processes.

• Excellent oral communication and public speaking skills.

• Strong written communication skills, including drafting complex documents and reports.

Required Experience:

• Project management experience, including planning, execution, and delivery of projects within scope, timeline, and budget: 11 years (Required)

• Conducting research and evaluations using public health or justice system administrative data: 11 years (Required)

• Understanding of public health, criminal justice systems, and the provision of social services as it relates to at-risk or system-involved youth: 11 years (Required)

• Work collaboratively, respond to stakeholders’ needs, and regularly update stakeholders about project milestones in similar projects: 11 years (Required)

• Analyze information from disparate datasets and qualitative information to derive a comprehensive understanding of the research topic: 11 years (Required)

• Demonstrate an ability to meaningfully engage community members and youth in the planning process: 11 years (Required)

• Outstanding oral communication skills, including public speaking: 11 years (Required)

• Outstanding written communication skills, including writing complex documents: 11 years (Required)

This Job Is Ideal for Someone Who Is:

• Strategic – able to plan and manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects with clear goals and timelines.

• Collaborative – enjoys working with diverse teams and engaging community and government stakeholders.

• Analytical – skilled at interpreting qualitative and quantitative data to inform decision-making.

• Mission-driven – passionate about improving outcomes for at-risk youth and advancing systemic change.

• Organized – able to manage multiple tasks, meetings, and deliverables with attention to detail.

• Communicative – excels in both written and verbal communication, especially in translating complex ideas clearly.

• Community-focused – committed to engaging youth, families, and community members in meaningful ways.

The DNA Group maintains a drug free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug-testing, where applicable, in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.

Hybrid remote