Job Description
About the Organization:
The Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), an agency within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation (OCABR), protects consumers by making sure the professionals they hire comply with state licensing laws. DOL oversees 26 boards of registration, which license and regulate more than 500,000 individuals and businesses to practice over 100 trades and professions. DOL also licenses and regulates the Office of Public Safety and Inspections (OPSI), and the Office of Private Occupational Schools.
The mission of DOL is to protect the public health, safety and welfare by licensing qualified individuals and businesses to provide services to consumers. In addition, it is the duty of the DOL to ensure fair and consistent enforcement of the licensing laws and regulations. DOL seeks to promote consumer protection, a fair and competitive marketplace, and education and outreach.
The Division of Occupational Licensure is committed to creating and sustaining a work culture that is welcoming, inclusive, and mutually respectful to all its employees regardless of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran or disability status. We strive to reflect diversity in all facets and levels of our agency. The Division of Occupational Licensure values inclusiveness and diversity within their employee and management teams. Within our community we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.
The Division of Occupational Licensure is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel respected, valued, and empowered to maximize their skills and talents to serve our citizens.
About the Role:
The Public Safety Boards Unit ("Unit") is one of DOL's administrative units. The Unit currently oversees and supports the following boards and commissions: the Board of Building Regulations and Standards ("BBRS"); Building Code Board of Appeals ("BCAB"); the Building Official Coordinating Committee ("BOCC"); the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission ("MSAC"); the Recreational Tramway Board; Regulated Activities Division; and the Amusement Advisory Board. The mission of the Unit, through its respective boards, is to: establish minimum qualifications for individuals seeking licensure in the professions it oversees; to license qualified professionals and businesses that provide services to consumers and businesses; develop, establish, and educate building, design, and construction professionals on the state building code, and any updates thereto; to ensure the integrity of its trades and professions through the fair and consistent enforcement of applicable rules and regulations; and, when necessary, take disciplinary action against licensees who engage in professional misconduct.
The Executive Director ("ED") for the Unit reports to the Associate Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety Inspections ("ADC"). At the direction of the ADC, the ED oversees the administration of processes, procedures, and policies that direct the daily licensing and regulatory activities of the boards and programs within the Unit. The ED assists the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and Associate Deputy Commissioners in providing policy guidance to DOL investigative and legal staff and assists with enforcement efforts by reviewing the content of investigative files and inspection reports and makes decisions and recommendations regarding their dispositions.
The ED directly supervises professional and/or administrative staff member(s) who support the collective Unit's boards. In this capacity, the ED is responsible for managing, training, and evaluating the staff under the ED's supervision. Given the breadth of substantive expertise required to administer the varied complexities of the boards in the Unit, the ED must be versatile manager and an expert in establishing operating policies, delegating, and supervising the services provided by the ED's staff.
The ED is one of the official keepers of records for the Unit and must ensure compliance with the state and federal laws, including the state public records law. In consultation with the legal counsel(s) assigned to the Unit's boards, the ED must also assist with the responses to subpoenas and other public requests for information.
Duties and Responsibilities: (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
Oversee the daily operations of the Public Safety Boards Unit.
Manage all board meetings and subcommittee meetings. Communicate with board members, set schedules, determine locations, and approve agendas. Assure all documents required for all meetings are accurate and complete.Assist boards in reviewing regulations, updating regulations, and with the Agency, promulgating regulations.Provide written and oral advice to the Agency on regulatory matters related to boards you oversee. Attend association meetings related to the boards you oversee to represent the Commonwealth and discuss the areas of oversight.Establish and maintain strong relationships with members of the Unit's boards.Manage all licensing and regulatory functions for the Unit's boards. Introduce policy, regulatory, administrative, and enforcement issues for board consideration.Collaborate with assigned legal counsel(s) in drafting proposed regulations.
Manage personnel and perform Unit's human resource functions.
In coordination with senior Agency managers, screen and interview for staff positions as vacancies arise.Conduct performance evaluations, provide feedback as needed to meet DOL goals.Ensure Unit staff are properly trained.Ensure staff compliance with Unit and DOL polices and manuals.Promote compliance by Unit staff and board members with respect to their roles and responsibilities, the Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, State Ethics Law, codes of conduct, and administrative procedures.
Provide expertise and assistance to DOL investigative, inspectional, compliance, and adjudicatory processes.
Assist DOL investigators with resolving consumer complaints.Recommend assignments of resources strategically to maximize field presence and meet regulatory objectives.Ensure Unit staff are properly trained in all aspects of inspections and follow proper policies and conduct themselves both safely and professionally in the field.Interpret and apply licensing rules and regulations to pending cases.Recommend policies and regulatory changes to DOL and Unit boards, based on investigative findings, and execute recommendations upon approval.Monitor the status of pending complaints and work with Board Counsel, assigned prosecutors, and investigators to ensure timely progress and resolution of pending matters.
Provide expertise and assistance in the disciplinary processes.
Establish policies to track internal progress by the Offices of Investigations, Legal Counsel, and Prosecutions, regarding complaints against licensees.Make recommendations for license reinstatement applications, based on licensee compliance with the terms of discipline.Provide input regarding the issuance of adjudicatory/disciplinary decisions based on board precedents, Massachusetts General Laws, and the Code of Massachusetts Regulations.
Develop and oversee Unit processes.
Develop and verse the implementation of License processes, business processes, assess and recommend process improvements and draft job guides documenting unit processes.Review and approve or deny applications for licensure.Determine if applicants are eligible for examination in relevant licensure categories by evaluating experience, verifying educational requirements, and confirming health and safety obligations.Assist in negotiating, drafting, and executing reciprocal licensure agreements with other jurisdictions, as necessary.
Act as a records custodian.
Oversee all staff responses to requests made pursuant to the Public Records Law and Fair Information Practices Act and assist DOL's public records unit in filling these requests.Assist the Director of External Affairs and the OCA Legislative Liaison in responding to inquiries from the Governor's Office, the Legislature, other agencies, complaining parties, licensees, and others regarding any disciplinary or investigative matters.
Develop and approve board educational programs and requirements.
When applicable, monitor facilities that administer board-approved educational programs. When applicable, assist in the development of educational curriculum and evaluate course terms, qualifications of instructors, equipment, and teaching materials for board approval.Approve and set standards for mandatory continuing education based on board regulations.Conduct periodic compliance audits of continuing education requirements.
Develop examination programs.
As necessary, help to negotiate, draft, and execute examination contracts with board vendors, in conjunction with board Counsel.As necessary, review proposed exam questions to ensure consistency with board regulations. As necessary, monitor and update licensing exams to conform to changes in the professions.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Substantive knowledge in the subject matter of at least one of the boards within Unit.Significant supervisory and management experience.Ability to travel throughout the Commonwealth to attend meetings, trainings, and other events as assigned.Strong written and oral communication skills and proficiency in the software programs necessary to support the programs of the Unit. Such programs may include, but are not limited to, Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access.Significant experience in the issuance of licenses, site inspections, and complaint investigation.Strong planning, research, and organizational skills, and be able to research information affecting a broad range of substantive topics. The ED should be familiar with investigative, inspectional, and prosecutorial techniques and processes, so as to interact effectively with staff in other DOL units.Skilled in the areas of process improvement and strategic planning, systems dynamics and systems re-engineering. The ED must have the ability to motivate, train, and lead subordinates.
All applicants should attach a cover letter and resume to their online submission for this position.
Qualifications
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) 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 two (2) years 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.