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 currently developing a new credentialling system to attract and retain educators, provide educators clear pathways to advancement, and support ongoing professional learning across the field. The system aims to clearly define competency expectations to guide educators from point of entry to expert practices within the profession and is designed to provide opportunities for continuous professional development relying on both higher education and job embedded professional learning options. EEC is seeking a dedicated project manager to support EEC leadership by project managing the planning and implementation of all activities essential to EEC developing and delivering an effective, modern, and efficient credentialing system.
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This is a contract position funded through December 31, 2025. The candidate will work a hybrid schedule, with a mix of remote and in-office work.
Please note that pursuant to Massachusetts general law, contracted employees are not paid for the eleven scheduled holidays, do not receive any paid, vacation, personal leave benefits, or contribute to the state retirement system or social security. As a state contracted employee, you must participate in direct deposit and contribute towards the Commonwealth of Massachusetts state alternate retirement plan, ("OBRA Plan").
Key Responsibilities:
- Managing interdependencies across project work streams and activities to ensure they are completed in a timely fashion
- Tracking statuses and roadmaps of project work streams and ensuring visibility and alignment among project teams and stakeholders
- Supporting the design and implementation of new business processes to enable operationalization of the new credential
EEC strives to implement a new credentialing system that clarifies the expectations and career pathways available for educators at different levels of expertise and provides an improved user experience for educators to apply for and receive verification of their qualifications. It is expected that the senior project manager will work with EEC leadership to implement a strategic plan for the multi-phased roll-out of new credentials, supportive pathways for advancement, and policy, procedure and/or business process changes to support the new credentialing system. Additionally, the project manager will work in partnership with other EEC and Executive Office of Education (EOE) staff and vendors or contractors focused on transforming EEC's educator service delivery model as it relates to technology and the launch and ongoing enhancement of a new educator portal.
This role will serve as both the project manager for the educator credential team and a member of the Project Management team at EEC. They will represent the interests of EEC in conversations with vendors and other entities as appropriate and be responsible for ensuring decisions align with the department's overall vision for a transformed educator credential system. Additionally, this role will engage with senior EEC staff to ensure alignment across all EEC programs and initiatives.
Detailed Explanation of Duties & Responsibilities:
- Work with EEC to finalize project plan that is aligned with the future state vision for the educator credential system and establish project governance structure and tracking mechanisms
- Develop project roadmap based on documented and prioritized future state functionality with phased deployments (Short, Medium, and Long Term)
- Identify instances where workstreams or vendors are at risk of mis-aligned design decisions or implementation approaches, articulate available options, and escalate key questions to the appropriate decision makers, supporting division leadership to move issues to resolution
- Support division leadership in developing the policies and procedures needed to ensure smooth implementation of the credential system and make recommendations for longer-term changes to state regulation, business process redesign, staffing changes, and potentially data matching/interfaces w/state agencies
- Support design of materials development for working sessions to review and refine educator credential business requirements across identified topic and functional areas
- Support EEC in managing the transition to the new credential system, including support for the communications, training, and procedural changes required as part of the roll-out
Note: based on assignment, travel may be required throughout the Commonwealth. Related travel costs will be at the expense of the contractor and not reimbursed.
Preferred Qualifications:
- 5+ years of project management experience
- Understanding of the rules and regulations governing the Department of Early Education and Care and the needs of the early educator and after school and out-of-school time workforce
- Working knowledge of and exposure to public sector IT systems
- Expert knowledge of project management principles and practices
- Ability to create and manage change including redefining processes to focus on user experience
- Ability to set priorities and identify and implement strategies
- Ability to listen closely to and facilitate collaboration on a shared vision among disparate stakeholders with potentially conflicting priorities
- Ability to review and analyze data and research on early education and care trends and draw sound conclusions
- Ability to lead and oversee complex planning, service provision, coordination, program monitoring and accountability processes
- Bachelor's degree or higher from accredited college or university in Business Administration, Business Management, Public Policy, Political Science, Human Services, or other related field and/or equivalent work experience
Travel may be required for this position.
Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to Martine.laine@mass.gov.
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.
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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.