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Form of workThe 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 Program Development Specialist is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of effective systems of support to build program stability and continuous quality improvement. This includes supporting the design and implementation of new and/or existing professional learning and support models that focus on Educational Leadership, continuous quality improvement and job embedded professional learning.
The Program Development Specialist provides programmatic and fiscal oversight of grants/contracts/ initiatives related to supports for Educational Leadership and continuous improvement, including but not limited to the Early Childhood Support Organization (ECSO) initiative, training on Educational Leadership and leadership coaching through the Professional Development Centers, and contracts related to the development of quality and workforce supports for new leaders and educators. The Specialist is responsible for coordinating directly with EEC staff and managers of related initiatives, including collaboration and coordination with those managing the Professional Development Centers, The Professional Development Academy, the Program Quality and licensing teams, and the workforce development team.
The Program Development Specialist is responsible for working directly with EEC staff, grantees, and local partners to facilitate a feedback and design process as needed. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing data to understand successes and gaps in EEC program supports, identifying approaches to address gaps, making recommendations, and integrating promising models for Educational Leadership development and continuous improvement into the system of EEC funded supports.
Key Responsibilities:
• Support the management and oversight of program support grants/contracts related supporting program quality and strong leadership. Specifically, monitor and support implementation of initiatives for all program types that support strong Educational Leadership in group and school age and after school and out of school time settings. Facilitate the integration of new approaches to program support models into existing support systems to create an aligned broader definition of program quality supports.
• Work closely with community partners such as childcare agencies, professional organizations, other state agencies, and EEC-funded entities and other EEC Divisions including regional licensing and quality staff, to identify and address workforce needs for early education and care educators and providers, and make recommendations related to the design and development of new and enhanced models of support.
• Use data from reports, EEC data systems, and external data systems to inform training and professional development policies, requirements, and funded activities.
• Support the agency's efforts to review the effectiveness of current policies in engaging with and supporting Educational Leadership and job embedded professional learning and manage the process of gathering input internally and externally in the design and development of this system of supports. This includes supervising any contractors/vendors who will support the engagement strategies and analysis necessary to structure the design and development and providing direct support to Educational Leadership initiatives.
• Manage funding for the implementation of new models of continuous quality improvement and professional learning to programs across a mixed delivery system.
• Ensure EEC grantees develop and implement professional development opportunities that meet EEC requirements aligned with relevant standards and expectations, including licensing regulations, workforce certification and credential, and quality standards and that use resources efficiently to best support educators and programs.
• Track state and national trends/research on and about the early education and care workforce for relevance for EEC programs, policies, and initiatives.
• Manage assigned workforce related funds including but not limited to any enhanced supports for educational leaders, the Early Childhood Support Organization initiative, leadership coaching and Educational Leadership trainings through the Professional Development Centers and Professional Development Academy, and partner with EEC regional offices and funded partners that provide direct support to new program leaders and educators.
• Report, when requested, to the Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, Program Support and Innovation, Commissioner and the EEC Board on program support and improvement efforts.
• Communicate, both through oral presentations and written content, observations of program support initiatives to the leadership of the Department as well as to participating programs, partners, and the field as a whole.
• Provide leadership to the Workforce Development, Program Support, and Innovation Division of EEC by being a team player, agile learner, and frequent contributor to all work of the Division.
• Make presentations to internal and external audiences as needed.
• Other related duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications:
Knowledge of agencies and organizations involved in early care and education of children birth to 14, particularly those that engage with and are relevant to educational leaders and center-based programs, policies pertinent to the field of early care and education/out of school time, and family support/education;
Knowledge of child development, curriculum and teaching practices in mixed age groups, and program structures of childcare settings;
Knowledge of, and appreciation of the distinct characteristics, approaches, assets, diversity and emerging issues of the early childhood workforce and EEC licensed early education and care program types;
Experience as a leader/educator in a licensed childcare program, and/or supporting leaders through targeted training and technical assistance in licensed child care and/or early elementary settings;
Experience in designing and providing professional development, coaching and/or mentoring to the early education and care workforce, including Head Start, early education and care programs (group and school age and family childcare), and public school early childhood programs, or early childhood teaching experience, or experience as a program administrator in an early childhood context;
Knowledge of and experience in using classroom quality observation tools, including but not limited to the CLASS, the ERS, and the PAS, and other tools used to support quality and continuous improvement, including those relevant for program leadership;
Experience in facilitating and/or convening groups of stakeholders from diverse perspectives and the ability to work inclusively toward a goal through a sequence of short term and long-term action steps and/or recommendations;
Knowledge of project management, grant monitoring, and program evaluation including the collection and analysis of data and the integration of data results to inform the work;
Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions, and make appropriate policy and programmatic recommendations;
Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail;
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor in person, in written communications and over the telephone.
Ability to determine the most appropriate format and procedure for assembling and presenting information;
Ability to work on multiple tasks and/or projects concurrently;
Ability to respond to flexible job requirements;
Ability to work as part of a team and commitment to being part of a learning organization.
Extensive skills using computers and familiarity with Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and Power Point;
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Strong writing skills.
Based on assignment travel will be required for this position.
Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to Dawn.E.DeRoche@mass.gov.
Qualifications:
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.
