Job Description

　　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 Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is the lead agency for all early education and care services and funding in the Commonwealth, charged with administering the federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) monies provided to Massachusetts. EEC is focused on strengthening and promoting the diverse early education and care sector in Massachusetts. EEC licenses, monitors, and provides technical assistance to the nearly 9,000 early education and care programs and agencies that serve children and youth, including family childcare programs and center-based programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, out-of-school time programs, residential group care facilities, temporary shelters, and placement agencies for foster care or adoption services.

　　The Director of Special Projects at the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) serves as a member of the Commissioner's Office, directly supporting large-scale projects through the oversight of the Chief of Staff. They work closely with the Executive Leadership team to support complex projects with cross-unit, cross-agency and cross-Secretariat impact utilizing strong project management expertise and change management skills.

　　They provide professional-level support to the Chief of Staff and take direction to successfully implement policies and procedures that ensure the Commissioner's priorities are effectively realized. They act as a skilled project manager on major initiatives across all units that require multi-agency alignment, including clearly defining project scopes, developing project plans, setting priorities for working teams, and building/maintaining cross-agency relationships.

　　Key Responsibilities:

　　EEC Special Project Management

　　• Manage high-priority special projects and initiatives for the Commissioner, the Commissioner's Office, the EEC Board, and the agency's Executive Leadership team. The nature of these projects may change as the agency continues along its strategic plan and addresses time-sensitive challenges facing the early education sector.

　　• Lead and contribute to priority project work teams comprised of EEC colleagues, colleagues from sister agencies, and external stakeholders where necessary; responsible for establishing project parameters including the formation of collaborative working groups; facilitating all project stages and activities and monitoring project progress for the Commissioner.

　　• In partnership with Commissioner's Office staff, support the management and enhancement of ongoing relationships with key stakeholders and identify new opportunities for strategic partnerships with stakeholders across the early education space.

　　• Coordinate, track and monitor program activities and various assigned projects in the Office of the Commissioner as directed by the Chief of Staff

　　• Develop, coordinate, prepare, and help implement project plans to support agency initiatives designed to improve operations and customer service

　　• Conduct research and provide analytical skills in support of large-scale and cross-unit initiatives

　　• Establish and adhere to project timelines, outline resources required for successful implementation of initiatives and monitor results to ensure goals are met

　　• Organize meeting minutes and provide excellent task tracking for follow-up, assigning tasks as necessary

　　• Coordinate with the Project Management and Strategy team to share best practices in project management, agency engagement and stakeholder awareness and collaborate on the use of project management tools, methodologies and strategies

　　Cross-Secretariat Agency Representation

　　• Serve as Commissioner's designee in the coordination of urgent, cross-Secretariat or Commonwealth-wide high-priority projects or emergency response initiatives. Topics may include public health crises such as COVID-19 response or states of emergency as issued by the Governor

　　• Coordinate with project management or designee peers from the Executive Office of Education and/or other Secretariats to raise concerns relevant to the children, families and child care programs of the Commonwealth

　　• Provide briefings and make recommendations to the Commissioner and Chief of Staff on emergent topics

　　• Work closely with the Commissioner's Office staff to engage key stakeholders who are impacted by these matters to ensure representation of their perspectives

　　Professional Administrative Support

　　• Assists in the coordination and planning of the Commissioner's calendar in alignment with agency priorities.

　　• Provides administrative support to the Commissioner's Office and EEC Leadership as needed.

　　• Other duties as assigned by Commissioner or Chief of Staff

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　• Deep appreciation for and a passionate commitment to EEC's mission

　　• A strong background in project management

　　• Knowledge of the organization of state government

　　• Knowledge of the operations, goals and programs within the Department of Early Education and Care

　　• Excellent written and oral communication skills

　　• Expert experience utilizing project management tools across a complex organization

　　• Strong multi-tasking and prioritizing abilities in order to juggle competing interests and timelines

　　• Strong organizational and critical thinking skills as well as attention to detail and commitment to quality and accuracy

　　• Demonstrated experience working within governmental systems

　　• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility

　　Based on assignment, travel may be required for this position.

　　Questions regarding this position, or the application process, should be directed to [email protected].

　　Qualifications

　　MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

　　Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

　　II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

　　III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

　　IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

　　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.