Short Description:
The D.C. Sentencing Commission seeks a Program Manager to oversee modernization of its internal data system, including vendor coordination, needs assessment, requirements development, proposal review, implementation oversight, and project management.
Complete Description:
The D.C. Sentencing Commission (SCDC) is seeking a part‑time Program Manager to support the planning and execution of the agency’s internal data system (GRID) modernization project, called the GRID Next-Gen Initiative (GNI). The GRID system was originally built in 2013, and has received various enhancements over the past decade; however, its underlying technology has not been updated since initial implementation and is approaching obsolescence. As a result, this modernization effort will likely require a full system rebuild rather than an upgrade. This project aims to modernize the system by identifying current weaknesses, improving system design and data‑processing workflows to enhance data reliability and accessibility, and, contingent on funding, migrating the new system to a cloud‑based environment. We anticipate that the involvement of the Program Manager will vary over the course of the project, where the earlier phases of the project will require part-time work (~20 hours per week), and having the hours ramp up closer to 30-35 per week as the project progresses into the later rebuild/modernization phases.
The Commission’s GRID system is a custom web‑based platform that stores and processes all agency data related to arrests, cases, sentencing, and criminal history. It receives automated data feeds from the D.C. Superior Court, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and CSOSA, allowing the system to capture and integrate information from multiple points in the criminal justice process. GRID’s core functions include receiving and processing partner data; storing, displaying, and exporting information; calculating sentencing Guideline compliance; and supporting data analysis for research and policy work. Originally implemented in 2013 and expanded over time, the system serves as the backbone of the Commission’s research and operational activities. The Program Manager will work closely with SCDC staff to support each major phase of the GRID modernization project. At the outset, the Program Manager will assist in developing the Statement of Work (SOW) needed to procure a third‑party vendor to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of the current system. Once the agency selects a needs-assessment vendor, the Program Manager will serve as the agency’s project lead for the needs-assessment phase, coordinating communication among the assessment vendor, the Commission’s current system vendor, and internal staff to keep the work on schedule and ensure all parties remain aligned. During the needs assessment, the Program Manager will work with the assessment vendor and SCDC staff to translate findings into a detailed set of functional and technical requirements for a new system and assist in drafting the SOW for the overall GNI build. The Program Manager will lead the effort to develop an RFP for the building contract, assist in obtaining and evaluating submissions, and the selection of a GNI project vendor. The Program Manager will then oversee the rebuild phase, serving as the agency’s primary Program Manager throughout implementation and ensuring that the modernization efforts stay on track, meet agency needs, and adhere to established timelines and deliverable requirements. Throughout this process, the Program Manager will provide guidance and feedback to the Commission’s Executive Director, Director of Research and IT, and – if necessary – the full Commission. To support these efforts, the Program Manager will convene and facilitate project meetings, help articulate system needs, organize technical requirements, and ensure that information flows smoothly among all parties. The Program Manager will track decisions and next steps, maintain focus on project goals, and prepare documentation necessary to guide both the assessment and rebuild phases.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
n Lead regular meetings with SCDC staff and all vendors to communicate project status, discuss challenges, and support agency decision‑making. n Help develop the requirements for the needs‑assessment contract, documenting system objectives, known gaps, and technical expectations. n Assist in evaluating needs‑assessment bids, reviewing vendor qualifications, proposed methodologies, and alignment with project goals. n Manage the needs‑assessment phase by overseeing and coordinating with the selected needs-assessment vendor and the Commission's current GRID vendor to clarify roles, responsibilities, deliverables, timelines, and outcomes. n Serve as the primary communication liaison among SCDC staff, the needs‑assessment vendor, and the existing vendor to ensure smooth information flow and timely issue resolution. n Work with SCDC staff and the needs‑assessment vendor to define the functional and technical requirements for the system GNI based on assessment findings and internal expertise. n Assist in drafting the Statement of Work (SOW) for the GNI, ensuring that requirements are translated into clear, actionable, and verifiable contract language. n Provide program‑level oversight for the entire GRID modernization effort, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and agency priorities throughout both the assessment and rebuild phases. n Develop and maintain key program documentation, including project plans, requirement logs, decision records, risk registers, milestone tracking, and meeting summaries. n Monitor vendor performance during both assessment and rebuild phases, ensuring deliverables meet quality standards, managing risks, and escalating issues as needed, while applying PMP‑level program‑management practices to keep the project on track.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
n Graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as public administration, project management, information systems, data science, public health, or criminal justice. n At least 15 years of experience managing complex programs or projects, preferably involving IT systems, data systems, or system modernization/rebuild efforts. n Project Management experience, including planning, execution, and delivery of projects within scope, timeline, and budget. n PMP certification required, demonstrating mastery of project management methodologies, lifecycle planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. n Demonstrated experience developing Statements of Work, requirements documents, or technical specifications for IT/data system upgrades, rebuilds, or related modernization projects. n Experience overseeing and coordinating vendors, including evaluating proposals, monitoring performance, managing deliverables, and handling multi‑vendor environments. n Familiarity with data systems and system architecture concepts, with an understanding of how systems ingest, process, validate, store, and output data for analytical use. (Hands‑on development experience is notrequired.) n Proven ability to lead cross‑functional teams, including internal staff, external evaluators, and technical vendors, while maintaining alignment across stakeholders. n Strong communication and documentation skills, including the ability to synthesize technical information, produce clear written materials, and present updates to both technical and non‑technical audiences. n Experience managing program timelines, risks, and dependencies, particularly across multi‑phase initiatives such as assessments followed by system rebuilds. n Strong analytical and problem solving abilities, including the capacity to articulate technical needs, and support long term planning for system modernization. n Ability to develop structured program documentation such as project plans, requirements logs, decision records, risk registers, and status reports. n Experience working with or managing multi‑vendor relationships, ensuring coordinated communication, aligned expectations, and smooth project execution.
Candidate Skills Matrix:
Following sections are to be filled by the candidate:
Skills | Required/Desired | No. of Years | How many years of experience candidate has? Graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as project management, information systems, data science, or criminal justice | Required | | PMP certification required, demonstrating mastery of project management methodologies, lifecycle planning, risk management, and stakeholder engagement | Required | | verseeing complex programs or projects, preferably involving IT systems, data systems, or system modernization initiatives. | Required | 16 | Project management, including planning, execution, and delivery of projects within scope, timeline, and budget. | Required | 16 | Developing statements of work, requirements documents, or technical specifications for IT/data system upgrades or related modernization projects. | Required | 16 | Overseeing/coordinating vendors, including evaluating proposals, monitoring performance, managing deliverables, and handling multi-vendor environments | Required | 16 | Familiarity with data systems and system architecture concepts, with an understanding of how systems ingest, process, validate, store, and output data | Required | 16 | Ability to lead cross-functional teams, including internal staff, external evaluators, and technical vendors while maintaining stakeholder alignment. | Required | 16 | Strong communication and documentation; ability to synthesize technical information for non-technical audiences, produce clear written/oral materials | Required | 16 | Managing program timelines, risks, and dependencies, particularly across multi-phase initiatives like assessments followed by rebuilds. | Required | 16 | Strong analytical & problem solving abilities, including capacity to articulate technical needs and support longterm planning for system modernization | Required | 16 | Ability to develop structured program documentation such as project plans, requirements logs, decision records, risk registers, and status reports. | Required | 16 | Experience working with or managing multi-vendor relationships, ensuring coordinated communication, aligned expectations, and smooth project execution | Required | 16 | Must qualify for a MASTER Level position | Required | |
Background check:
- Extensive criminal history background check will be required. We cannot submit candidates with recent histories (go back seven years) of extensive driving, drug, robbery or any other illegal activity. Any criminal activity on the background check will eliminate the candidate from consideration. If selected, please make certain that you inform all candidates that they will have to complete this criminal background check prior to starting. NATIONAL background checks are required; Federal background checks are NOT compliant under this contract. A national background check is a national criminal background check that pulls criminal records from State and County Courts in almost every US State.
