Job Description

　　About the Department of Family and Medical Leave:

　　DFML's mission is to implement and run a program that provides income support to Massachusetts workers and their families during significant life events while serving as a partner to employers to deliver program integrity. DFML's vision is to ensure a Massachusetts workforce that is healthier, more productive, and enjoys a better quality of life.

　　Massachusetts' first-ever digitally native service, Paid Family & Medical Leave, is now available. As we strive to help constituents manage their health and care for their families, we want to be sure that benefits are easy to access by setting a new, higher bar for interacting with the state online. We're rethinking and transforming how government services normally operate, using best-in-class technologies and techniques to create an experience that feels more like a consumer app than what people usually expect from government.

　　We will interact with people at big moments in their lives-the birth of a child, serious injuries, and potential losses of loved ones. These are stressful, hopeful, and overwhelming times that are experienced by everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or socioeconomic status. We are here to help the working people of the Commonwealth to navigate these major life milestones by providing security and support when they need it most.

　　This will be a large and highly visible program. All Massachusetts employees and many Massachusetts independent contractors will be covered by the PFML law and eligible for benefits. There are approximately 3.7 million eligible workers in Massachusetts. DFML anticipates collecting approximately $1.4 billion in contributions annually and paying up to $1 billion in total benefits annually.

　　Are you interested in helping create a public service that has the opportunity to actively improve the lives of more than 160,000 workers in Massachusetts each year? Do you aspire to be the true "Servant Leader" that each team member knows they can rely on? If so, this role may be for you.

　　What you'll do:

　　The success of the Paid Family and Medical Leave Program relies on the implementation of an end-to-end technology solution in support of DFML objectives. The design, build, deploy, operate and maintenance of this solution is led by DFML and supported by Agency and Commonwealth IT.

　　DFML is the Commonwealth's first digitally native state agency and leverages modern, cloud-native technological components (portal, API, claims processing and contact center technologies) to form an integrated solution. Each technical component is supported by a dedicated support team which includes state and vendor resources.

　　The Product Owner will be responsible for grooming and prioritizing the product backlog, incorporating feature requests into the product roadmap, developing user stories, and defining acceptance criteria for their assigned product. This position will oversee work of a cross-functional team including whoever is required to deliver on component-level product roadmap (e.g., researchers, designers, engineers, configurators, etc.) To be successful, you'll have an agile mindset, enjoy working with teams, love a challenge, and enjoy solving problems.

　　Responsibilities (including but not limited to):

　　Articulates component-level 3-, 6-, 12- and 18-month vision and roadmap in alignment with the user-type level roadmaps maintained by the Experience Owners, updates at quarterly planning, and socializing vision and roadmap with team members and the business.Responsible for the component-level product vision, feature prioritization, backlog, and acceptance criteria Ensures technical work does not begin before integration plans have been approved by Enterprise Architecture at the component-level, and then working with a Technical Architect to ensure adherence to approved plans throughout implementation.Ensures user experience at the component-level is consistent with other components and channels (including self-service support, in-call support, written material, etc.) as agreed upon with relevant Experience Owner Slates work (e.g., locking a sprint or putting new tickets on a Kanban board), ensuring all approved work is surfaced and visualized on the team's board, all approved work includes acceptance criteria and relevant business and technical requirements, and closed tickets have been reviewed to verify fulfillment of acceptance criteria.Responsible for releasing early and often without business disruption, including: (1) minor component-level releases that do not require coordination with other components, (2) changes that require more coordination with the Experience Owner and other workstreams and (3) distinguishing between these two types of releases and getting the Experience Owner involved accordingly.Collaborate with Experience Owners to get approval for user experience research studies prior to commencing. Sets priorities sprint-by-sprint at planning utilizing the Scrum methodology. Documents requirements and recommendations for new feature implementations and release notesUses data to monitor product performance and improvement.Answer questions from developers and clarifies requirements.Plans releases and upgrades.Follow progress of work and address production issues during sprintsOther duties as assigned.

　　Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

　　CSPO (Certified Scrum Product Owner) or similar Agile certificationMaster's Degree in related field Strong interest in the challenges of public-sector service design Prior state government or public service experience 5 to 7 years' experience in the development of product development roadmap, technology strategies, and design strategies.

　　Demonstrated experience in:

　　Being a trusted thought partner for government organizations, helping to shape and clarify customers' technology strategies (or design strategies for where the product is a design systemCoordination of customer-facing communication related to product developmentA role with similar responsibilities implementing a solution leveraging data, business processes, and operational processes that were external (to the project) or managed by a different organization within complex operational environmentsVendor management Implementation and operations of large-scale enabling technology solutions Implementing new business processes and solutions within complex / matrix organizations. Defining business and technology data exchange needs, operational support processes, management metrics, and identifying gaps to ensure quality of operations.Developing and articulating a vision and translating it into practical actions, steps, and results.Intimate knowledge of both waterfall and Agile Scrum methodology and related project management tools.Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in meetings, presentations, and other. Strong organizational, multi-tasking and critical thinking skills as well as attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracyKnowledge and understanding of the private insurance industry practices and documentation Knowledge and understanding of the medical industry practicesIT Transformation assessment and implementationProgram/Project Management leadershipStrong business relationship management experience aligning scope, timelines, budgets, and team efforts towards high impact solutions.

　　*Selected candidate will be expected to report to our Boston office on their first day; position will remain remote until further notice and then will follow a hybrid model.

　　Qualifications

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

　　Please see Preferred Qualifications.

　　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.