Program Development Specialist

Description

This position offers some flexibility of office location within the hybrid work model currently being observed.

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 Program Development Specialist is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of effective systems of support, tools, and program design 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 consider the unique features and assets of all program types, with a focus on center based and school age/out of school time programs (OST), to build the capacity of programs funded and licensed by EEC. The incumbent is responsible for analyzing data to understand successes and gaps in EEC program support offerings, identifying approaches to address gaps, and for making recommendations related to the design and development of new models of support. 

The Program Development Specialist provides oversight of grants/contracts/initiatives related to program supports for all program types, with an immediate and long-term focus on school age and OST and the development and integration of these supports into the existing infrastructure. The Specialist is responsible for coordinating with managers of related grants/contracts/programs impacted by planning and implementation. This includes coordination with those managing the Professional Development Centers, The Professional Development Academy, the Program Quality and licensing teams, and the team overseeing educator professional pathways and credential development. The Program Development Specialist is responsible for the monitoring of programs’ fiscal and programmatic compliance to grant and contract requirements of any new initiatives designed to enhance and/or expand support for OST, including any new supports developed as a result of recommendations for new models, and relevant existing contracts.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the management and oversight of program support grants/contracts related to the building continuous quality improvement. Specifically, monitor and support quality implementation of initiatives related to program facing supports for all program types with a focus on OST and center based settings, and support the integration of new approaches to program support models into existing support systems (such as Professional Development Centers (PDCs), FCC systems and ECMH providers) to create an aligned broader definition of program quality support system 

• Oversee contractors and/or design and conduct supportive research, development work and implementation of new systems and models to support continuous quality improvement for all types of early education programs, with a focus on OST.

• 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 OST educators 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 OST programs and manage the process of gathering input internally and externally in the redesign of this system of supports. This includes supervising contractors who may support the engagement strategies and analysis necessary to structure the redesign and providing direct and contracted support to OST providers.

• Manage funding for the implementation of new models of continuous quality improvement and professional learning to programs across a mixed delivery system.

• Coordinate with state and public partners on the delivery of high-quality workforce development opportunities. 

• 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 and OST workforce as relevance for EEC programs, policies, and initiatives. 

• Manage assigned workforce related funds including but not limited to any enhanced supports for OST programs, and research funding for contractors to support planning. 

• Report, when requested, to the Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development, Program Supports 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 Supports 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:

• At least four (4) years of experience working in center based and out of school time programs and/or public policy related to out of school time programs;

• 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 center based and OST educators and programs, policies pertinent to the field of early care and education/out of school time, and family support/education;

• Knowledge of child and youth development, approaches to curriculum and teaching practices in mixed age groups and OST settings, and program structures and standards of OST programs; 

• 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 and after school program types, specifically those in OST settings;

• Experience as a provider/educator in a licensed OST program, and/or supporting OST educators through targeted training and technical assistance educators in OST settings;

• Experience in designing and providing professional development, coaching and/or mentoring to the early education and care and OST workforce, including Head Start, early education and care programs (group and school age and family childcare), and public school early childhood programs, or OST teaching experience, or experience as a program administrator in an OST context;

• Knowledge of and experience in using classroom quality observation tools and other tools used to support quality and continuous improvement, including those relevant for OST settings;

• 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.

Travel may be required for this position.

Questions regarding this position or the application process, should be directed to Dawn.E.. 

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?