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SalaryPlease note that pursuant to Massachusetts general law, contracted employees are not paid for the eleven scheduled holidays, do not receive any paid, vacation, personal leave benefits, or contribute to the state retirement system or social security. As a state contracted employee, you must participate in direct deposit and contribute towards the Commonwealth of Massachusetts state alternate retirement plan, ("OBRA Plan").
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.
The Massachusetts Education-to-Career (E2C) Research and Data Hub was launched in 2021 thanks to a federal grant awarded to DESE, to improve access to actionable Data and research across the Commonwealth for educators, policymakers, researchers, students, and their families. The Hub facilitates data connections between agencies, building on a strong foundation of existing integrated data systems linking students’ early care, K-12, college, and workforce outcomes. In partnership with agency staff, the E2C Data Hub works to modernize data systems, improve data quality, expand access to data, and support collaboration with researchers to ensure educators and leaders have the information they need when making decisions.
The Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) E2C Data and Policy Analyst will work under the direction of the EEC Director of Data Analytics with oversight from the Senior Associate Commissioner for Policy, Research, and Data Analytics, and will report via dotted line to the Executive Director of the E2C Hub. The duties assigned by the Director may include data collection and analysis, analytic reporting, documentation of data needs and data merge requirements, coordination of data governance meetings, and documentation of governance and legal issues.
This is a grant-funded contract position slated through February 28, 2025. EEC is currently allowing staff a mix of remote and in person work. The Analyst will be required to be present at the EEC central office at 50 Milk Street or one of the EEC regional offices, as well as other meeting locations in the Boston area and around the state as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Support EEC’s participation in the E2C Data Hub initiative including, working with the Director of Data Analytics to:
o Build a strong working knowledge of EEC Data and processes, including: key roles and personnel, rules for data privacy and sharing, data practices and processes, data reporting tools, strengths, areas of need, and organizational priorities.
o Lead EEC’s work on key E2C projects including the Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS) and efforts to merge key early childhood and K-12 data to better understand how children move from early education into the public school system.
o Coordinate with key stakeholders to identify and document critical use cases for Data and analysis, with a particular emphasis on issues of equity.
o Develop Hub research policies and practices, e.g. policies and practices for reviewing and approving Data and research requests, providing data access, ongoing management of research-practice partnerships, and reporting findings.
o Review and document existing EEC policies and practices related to data collection, data sharing and research, and identify components to be reviewed for alignment with E2C Hub policies and practices.
o Work with EEC to draft communications aimed at the early education and care field to explain the intentions and benefits of the SLDS project and to elicit collaboration.
- Support the development and implementation of the E2C Hub, working with the staff from the Executive Office of Education Information Technology (EOE IT) to:
o Review technical requirements and ensure they align with EEC data policies and use.
o Provide input on feature development for the Statewide Research Hub technology platform, based on EEC priorities, stakeholder input, and best practices from leading states.
o Work with EEC staff to define user-specific roles and application access processes to allow EEC staff, campus staff researchers, and the general public appropriate access.
o Review centralized and automated process for providing data to researchers and ensure it meets EEC and researcher requirements.
o Support communications internally and externally about the development of the Hub and the accessibility of Data and analyses as developed.
o Help define the long-term sustainability plan for the statewide Research and Data Hub.
- Support the efforts of the Director of Data Analytics to improve internal and external data access and data analytic capacity, including:
o Performing regular analytics, leveraging data from the E2C Hub, as well as EEC’s licensing and subsidy databases, to inform EEC and cross-agency strategy and operations.
o Building routines and processes to strengthen EEC’s capacity to analyze key data points regularly for dissemination internally, as well as to EEC’s Board and the public.
o Providing recommendations around strategies, through the E2C Hub, as well as EEC’s own website, to make aggregate Early Education and Care data more accessible to researchers and the public.
o Developing collateral including data dictionaries, data use guides, and other reference material to support internal and external partners in leveraging EEC data.
Preferred Qualifications:
The successful candidate will demonstrate most of the following qualifications. Candidates not meeting all qualifications are still encouraged to apply.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with analytics software. Experience working with SQL and large inter-relational databases preferred.
- Demonstrated skills to provide superior service to a client or customer organization, e.g. active listening, developing relationships, structuring problems and creating solutions collaboratively, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to work productively and collegially with individuals and teams.
- Experience working with a range of diverse stakeholders and tailoring approaches and communication to successfully meet project goals and timelines.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong ability to comprehend, analyze, and communicate complex information quickly, especially related to databases, data analysis, data security and technology systems.
- Experience in the education sector.
- Knowledge of current state and national landscape of early education research, including familiarity with publications and research entities.
- Relevant experience in database management, data-driven research or educational research.
Travel may be required for this position.
Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to Dawn.E.DeRoche@mass.gov.
Comprehensive Benefits
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