Job Description

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

　　The Office of Student and Family Support at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) leads programs and initiatives that aim to ensure access to high quality and student-centered pre-K-grade 12 education and strengths-based supports that help all students gain the knowledge, skills and values needed to be well prepared for post-secondary options as well as a career and citizenship.

　　The Office of Student and Family Support (SFS) works in partnership with educators, schools, students, families, and other agencies and organizations across the Commonwealth to advance the Department's Educational Vision (EdVision), which envisions learning environments in which All students are known and valued; Learning experiences are relevant, real-world, and interactive; and Individualized supports allow all students to excel. As a part of this work, SFS office helps further DESE's three key strategic objectives, which focus on supporting the Whole Student including partnerships with families, Deeper Learning, and a Diverse and Effective Workforce.

　　The Safe and Supportive Schools Specialist/Educational Specialist C will work to coordinate and contribute to a number of the Department's efforts that strengthen equitable, safe and supportive learning environments during and beyond school time. Examples of such efforts include initiatives regarding school climate and culture, school day and out-of-school time programming, bullying prevention and intervention, behavioral health and mental health (BH/MH) services for students, and social and emotional learning (SEL); as well as supporting school districts to build internal capacity to meet the needs of their students, as well as to develop their capacity to build partnerships with families and community-based providers.

　　The Safe and Supportive Schools Specialist will:

　　Coordinate and contribute to related grant program(s), including developing and posting RFP(s), managing grant reviews and awards processes, and providing training and technical assistance (TA) to grantees and other interested districts;

　　Identify and coordinate and collaborate with others on professional development (PD) offerings, including overseeing the contracting process with PD provider(s) and working to align PD with other like offerings.

　　Develop communications plans and other resources related to this work to help schools, districts and communities identify and leverage related initiatives and efforts.

　　Understand the landscape of building equitable, safe and supportive learning environments during in-school and out-of-school time, including for example through bullying prevention and intervention, behavioral health and mental health (BH/MH) services, and social and emotional learning (SEL), as well as supporting school districts to build internal capacity to meet the needs of their students, while also developing their capacity to build partnerships with community-based providers and families;

　　Apply knowledge, understanding, skills, strategies and resources to cultivate equity and cultural proficiency and responsiveness at the individual and organizational level; and

　　Other duties as assigned.

　　Based on assignment, travel throughout the Commonwealth will be required, you must have the ability to travel to meetings, professional development opportunities, and to regional and/or national conferences.

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　It is not expected that candidates will meet all of the preferred qualifications:

　　ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team;

　　a strong desire to have collaborative, professional, customer-oriented communication with major work contacts including but not limited to agency staff, grant applicants, grantees, vendors, contractors, administrators, educators, parents and families, and staff of other local, state, and federal organizations;

　　strong interpersonal skills and ability to assist customers/stakeholders of diverse backgrounds and diverse abilities;

　　ability to practice self-reflection and self-correction to solve problems;

　　demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to diverse audiences;

　　ability to multi-task, respond to multiple demands, balance competing priorities and manage time efficiently;

　　ability to plan, coordinate, and administer professional development for adult learners;

　　strong public presentation skills and demonstrated ability to tailor presentation strategies for diverse purposes in multiple environments;

　　demonstrated cultural awareness and proficiency;

　　ability to learn and build on the varying cultural and community norms of students, families, school districts and other community members through awareness of one's own cultural identity and views about difference;

　　experience working in and/or with schools or other educational settings both during and beyond the school day:

　　familiarity with current research on school culture and climate initiatives, bullying prevention and intervention, behavioral and mental health (BH/MH) and social-emotional learning with school-age youth, and in-school and out-of-school time programming;

　　experience with health education materials and related curriculum development;

　　an understanding of youth screening for BH/MH issues and treatment referral strategies;

　　experience working with community organizations to support BH/MH related efforts and to build collaborations with schools and districts related to this work;

　　experience with and/or an understanding of building multi-tiered systems of support, including related to BH/MH and SEL;

　　experience with the strategic planning process;

　　experience working with culturally diverse groups or populations;

　　strong project management skills;

　　familiarity with education legislation, policy, and programs, particularly in Massachusetts;

　　familiarity with public policy analysis, education policy, and/or public health related initiatives;

　　familiarity with the following areas: data-based decision making, creating and sustaining inclusive schools, educational access and equity, social emotional learning, strategic resource management, and/or academic content; and

　　Please include a copy of your cover letter with your online submission

　　* Questions regarding this posting or the application process should be referred to Maureen O'Brien at Maureen.T.O'Brien@Mass.Gov

　　This position is based at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Malden. Staff are currently operating within a hybrid model, telecommuting up to three days per week.

　　Please note: In December, 2023 our office will move to: 135 Santilli Highway, Everett, MA 02149.

　　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 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.