Early Literacy Practice Coordinator

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is an agency within the Executive Office of Education and reports to the Board of Early Education and Care. EEC’s vision is that children, youth and families reach their full potential now and in the future. EEC’s mission is to, in partnership with families, educators, programs and other stakeholders, use data driven decision-making to inform work around the following objectives: Family Access\: Families have equitable access to quality and affordable early education and care in the communities in which they live, learn, and work. Program Stability\: Early education and care programs are operationally stable and financially sustainable. Program Quality\: Early education and care programs support children’s health and safety and provide high quality environments that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and support children’s learning and development in partnership with families. Workforce Supports\: A diverse field of educators, leaders, and program staff is competitively compensated and supported by clear professional pathways that promote quality, retention, and advancement. Agency Infrastructure\: EEC has sufficient internal capacity, organizational structures, and diverse perspectives and expertise to carry out its mission and strategic objectives. The agency employs more than 280 people across one central and five regional offices, which work collaboratively with public and private partners to ensure the safety and quality of early education and care programs and residential care and placement services. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is an agency within the Executive Office of Education and reports to the Board of Early Education and Care. EEC seeks a detail-oriented, highly organized, mission-driven professional to serve as an Early Literacy Practice Coordinator. This position will support efforts to strengthen evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining, developmentally appropriate preschool language and literacy instruction in the mixed delivery system, including through Literacy Launch programs. Literacy Launch, a multi-year initiative focused on transforming early literacy systems in public schools and community-based preschool programs, involves close collaboration between EEC and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). An important component of this role is to support the preschool component of Partnerships for Reading Success in Massachusetts (PRISM) I, a Literacy Launch grant awarded to 15 school districts to build capacity and strengthen evidence-based instructional practices practice at the classroom and community level, including through supports for partnerships between school districts grantees and community-based preschools.

Nice To Haves

Experience as a preschool educator and/or leader, preferably in the Massachusetts mixed delivery system
Knowledge of evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining, developmentally appropriate practices to support preschool language and literacy
3-5 years’ experience as a leader, coach, or educator in the Massachusetts preschool mixed delivery system (including with community-based preschools, public school districts, and/or family child care providers).
Experience with preschool partnerships between school districts and community-based preschools and/or family child care providers.
A strength-based, relationship-focused, culturally and linguistically sustaining approach to technical assistance, professional development, and systems change.
Formal education or recent training in evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining, developmentally appropriate preschool language and literacy instruction, including the use of curriculum.
Experience implementing and/or supporting the implementation of preschool curriculum with fidelity.
Professional development or coaching experience in preschool contexts.
Excellent organizational, writing, and editing skills with a strong attention to detail.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment with flexibility.
Experience working with diverse teams and engaging stakeholders in collaborative improvement efforts.
Knowledge of equity-focused and family-centered approaches in public service or early childhood systems.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with varied work teams on EEC initiatives related to early literacy partnerships, including the Literacy Launch Initiatives, the Commonwealth Preschool Partnership Initiative, and Coordinated Family and Community Engagement grants
Collaborate with DESE on varied preschool literacy projects, including Literacy Launch Initiatives
Strengthen and implement a structure for collaboration among grantees and subgrantees of key initiatives to support learning and ongoing refinement of implementation approaches
Provide support for grantees and subgrantees of key initiatives, including technical assistance, attendance at local meetings and partnership support
Collaborate and coordinate with grant/contract managers, providing technical assistance or support for grant requirements as needed
Support vendors in their technical assistance and coaching of preschool district and community-based preschools including through developing and reviewing resources, facilitating and attending meetings, and holding office hours
Other duties as assigned