Community Coordination Specialist (ESC)

This position offers some flexibility of office location within the hybrid work model currently being observed.

 

This is a temporary grant funded position which will expire upon the occurrence of one of the following: the completion of the assigned project, the expiration of the funding source, if impacted by the bumping process, or on or before December 31, 2025, whichever situation occurs first. The employee hired into this position shall not be entitled to bumping or recall rights under the collective bargaining agreement, but may be impacted by the bumping process identified in the collective bargaining agreement. The employee hired into this temporary position shall serve a nine (9) month probationary period.
Given the limited duration of such position, the parties recognize that any progressive disciplinary imposed may be on a shorter timeline than would otherwise be the case.

 

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas. 

 

EEC recently was awarded a federal Preschool Development Grant (PDG). This grant provides funding to state agencies managing services to children birth to five and their families in support of coordination, quality and system building efforts.  EEC is using the funds to accelerate efforts to integrate family voice, improve access to childcare, improve professionalism of the workforce and build program quality.  EEC also funds system-building at the local level through grants to districts to coordinate preschool access with EEC-licensed programs.  As part of this work, EEC has proposed using funding to support new subgrants to community-based organizations to coordinate the local support systems for coordination of services and funding for early education programs serving children from infancy though kindergarten (B-5) and in afterschool, with a focus on expanding the accessibility and effectiveness of the local B-5 systems of care.   

The PDG Community Coordination Specialist is responsible for understanding the role current funded initiatives play in local B-5 coordination (including the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative and the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grants) and facilitating and coordinating the design and implementation of these subgrants in partnership with other EEC staff. This role will also collaborate with the PDG B-5 Project Manager to ensure that all grant activities and timelines are met, develop and oversee workplans and contract performance and participate in internal PDG management meetings. In this role, the Community Coordination Specialist will collaborate with external partners and subgrant recipients to facilitate integration and refinement of approaches to implementation.  

Key Responsibilities:

   Build an understanding of current EEC initiatives to support local B-5 system building and funding and identify other relevant initiative supported by other agencies;

   Develop work plan and expectations for local B-5 system subgrants that involve coordination of various components of the early childhood ecosystem including EEC funded programs, public schools, Head Start programs and early intervention programs in partnership with EEC staff;

   Collaborate and support existing EEC initiatives providing community supports such as the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative and Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grants;

   Lead development of  scope and grant application for subgrants with support from other EEC staff;

   Provide ongoing grant management and support for subgrantees, including technical assistance, attendance at local meetings and grant monitoring supports;

   Collaborate and coordinate with the grant/contract managers of EEC funded initiatives to integrate services within communities;

   Develop monitoring and accountability systems to understand and track progress toward key outcomes;

   Support subgrantees in understanding and conducting needs assessment activities and accessing data held by EEC, to evaluate the effectiveness of the grant funding in collaboration with the Research and Data unit;

   Participate in team meetings on credentialing, quality initiatives and programs to ensure coordination and alignment of work streams;

   Develop and implement a structure for collaboration among subgrantees to support learning and ongoing refinement of implementation approaches;

   Provide updates and prepare communications about progress and outcomes to EEC staff and other stakeholders;

   Collaborate with staff from other state agencies such as the Department and Elementary and Secondary Education and the Department of Public Health to assist with the coordination of services within communities;

 
   Assist with grant reporting requirements;

   Coordinate with workforce development strategies employed by public and private entities such as Apprenticeship opportunities, Workforce development and training initiatives;

 
   Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

   Experience working in an early education and care setting

   Experience managing teams to work collaboratively to achieve defined outcomes

   Knowledge of the principles and practices of early education

   Familiarity with the mixed delivery system providing early education and care services in Massachusetts

   Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional project teams and complete assigned portions of projects

   Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly, and develop ideas in logical sequence

   Knowledge of the methods of general report writing

   Strong organizational skills and attention to detail

   Ability to work on multiple tasks and/or projects concurrently

 

Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to Dawn.E.DeRoche@mass.gov

 

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Minimum Entrance Requirements:  

Applicants must have a Bachelor's degree and at least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional educational experience in a specific or related content area, educational program/or service;

 

a Master's degree or higher in a specific or related educational content area may be substituted for two years of the required experience -- 30 semester hours equals one year of experience for substitution purposes.

 

Education toward a degree in a specific or related educational content area will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

  Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License or the equivalent from another state may be required.

 

 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

 

 

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.