Program Manager (Data System Modernization)

Job Title: Program Manager (Data System Modernization)
Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Location: Washington DC 20001
Employment Type: Contract (Part-Time)
Engagement Type: W2 or 1099 (No C2C)
Final Interview: Webcam or In Person

Position Summary

Dhaka Technologies Limited Company (DTLC) is hiring a Program Manager (Data System Modernization) on behalf of the District of Columbia Sentencing Commission (SCDC). This is a part-time hybrid position in Washington DC.

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.

The D.C. Sentencing Commission (SCDC) is seeking a part-time Program Manager to support the planning and execution of the agencys 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 Commissions 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. GRIDs 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 Commissions 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 agencys project lead for the needs-assessment phase coordinating communication among the assessment vendor the Commissions 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 agencys 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 Commissions 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

• Lead regular meetings with SCDC staff and all vendors to communicate project status discuss challenges and support agency decision-making.
• Help develop the requirements for the needs-assessment contract documenting system objectives known gaps and technical expectations.
• Assist in evaluating needs-assessment bids reviewing vendor qualifications proposed methodologies and alignment with project goals.
• Manage the needs-assessment phase by overseeing and coordinating with the selected needs-assessment vendor and the Commissions current GRID vendor to clarify roles responsibilities deliverables timelines and outcomes.
• 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.
• 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.
• Assist in drafting the Statement of Work (SOW) for the GNI ensuring that requirements are translated into clear actionable and verifiable contract language.
• 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.
• Develop and maintain key program documentation including project plans requirement logs decision records risk registers milestone tracking and meeting summaries.
• 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

• Graduate degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field such as public administration project management information systems data science public health or criminal justice.
• At least 15 years of experience managing complex programs or projects preferably involving IT systems data systems or system modernization/rebuild efforts.
• Project Management experience including planning execution and delivery of projects within scope timeline and budget.
• PMP certification required demonstrating mastery of project management methodologies lifecycle planning risk management and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated experience developing Statements of Work requirements documents or technical specifications for IT/data system upgrades rebuilds or related modernization projects.
• Experience overseeing and coordinating vendors including evaluating proposals monitoring performance managing deliverables and handling multi-vendor environments.
• 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 not required.)
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams including internal staff external evaluators and technical vendors while maintaining alignment across stakeholders.
• 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.
• Experience managing program timelines risks and dependencies particularly across multi-phase initiatives such as assessments followed by system rebuilds.
• Strong analytical and problem solving abilities including the capacity to articulate technical needs and support long term planning for system modernization.
• Ability to develop structured program documentation such as project plans requirements logs decision records risk registers and status reports.
• Experience working with or managing multi-vendor relationships ensuring coordinated communication aligned expectations and smooth project execution.

Requirements

Required and Desired Skills

• 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)
• Overseeing complex programs or projects preferably involving IT systems data systems or system modernization initiatives (Required 16 years)
• Project management including planning execution and delivery of projects within scope timeline and budget (Required 16 years)
• Developing statements of work requirements documents or technical specifications for IT/data system upgrades or related modernization projects (Required 16 years)
• Overseeing/coordinating vendors including evaluating proposals monitoring performance managing deliverables and handling multi-vendor environments (Required 16 years)
• Familiarity with data systems and system architecture concepts with an understanding of how systems ingest process validate store and output data (Required 16 years)
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams including internal staff external evaluators and technical vendors while maintaining stakeholder alignment (Required 16 years)
• Strong communication and documentation; ability to synthesize technical information for non-technical audiences produce clear written/oral materials (Required 16 years)
• Managing program timelines risks and dependencies particularly across multi-phase initiatives like assessments followed by rebuilds (Required 16 years)
• Strong analytical & problem solving abilities including capacity to articulate technical needs and support longterm planning for system modernization (Required 16 years)
• Ability to develop structured program documentation such as project plans requirements logs decision records risk registers and status reports (Required 16 years)
• Experience working with or managing multi-vendor relationships ensuring coordinated communication aligned expectations and smooth project execution (Required 16 years)
• Must qualify for a Master Level position (Required)

Work Requirements

• This is a hybrid position based at 441 4th St NW Suite 430S Washington DC 20001.
• Part-time schedule: about 20 hours per week in the early phases ramping up to about 30-35 hours per week during the rebuild/modernization phases.
• US Citizenship is required for this position.
• This contract is open to W2 or 1099 candidates only. Corp-to-Corp (C2C) candidates will not be considered.
• The final interview will be conducted by webcam or in person.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should email their resume to with "Program Manager (Data System Modernization) (815852)" in the subject line.

Required Skills:

Program or project management of complex IT/data system modernization efforts (15 years); active PMP certification; developing Statements of Work requirements documents and technical specifications; RFP development and vendor proposal evaluation; multi-vendor oversight and performance monitoring; data systems and system architecture concepts; risk timeline and dependency management; stakeholder engagement and program documentation

Required Education:

Graduate degree or equivalent experience in public administration project management information systems data science public health or criminal justice; active PMP certification