Educator Preparation Specialist (ESC)

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Everett, MA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

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 Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) seeks an Educator Preparation Specialist to join the Department’s Office of Educator Effectiveness.
About the Office of Educator Effectiveness
The Office of Educator Effectiveness sits within DESE’s Teaching and Learning Unit. In the Office of Educator Effectiveness, we work to create the conditions that support the recruitment, preparation, development, and retention of a diverse and effective educator workforce so that all of our students thrive through access to diverse and effective educators, defined as educators who nurture and cultivate academic achievement, cultural and linguistic competence, sociopolitical awareness, and emotional intelligence.
About the Role
The Educator Preparation Specialist will be part of a team responsible for overseeing the effective, equitable, efficient, and consistent review of educator preparation providers in Massachusetts. Supporting increasingly equitable and effective educator preparation in Massachusetts is a key strategy in our commitment to cultivate a diverse and effective workforce.

In 2023, DESE released updated Guidelines for Educator Preparation Program Approval that center evidence-based practices, including culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, as the foundation of effective educator preparation. In 2024, equitable and inclusive practices were embedded throughout the Standards of Effective Practice for all teachers and leaders, and now serve as the pedagogical knowledge and skills required of all aspiring teachers as they complete preparation programs in Massachusetts. Together, these frameworks reflect a critically important shift in focus for all educators in Massachusetts towards the evidence-based, culturally and linguistically sustaining practices necessary to support all students to attain academic knowledge and skills, understand and value themselves and others, and engage with the world.
The Educator Preparation Specialist will help to advance and deepen this work, particularly through partnerships with and oversight of educator preparation providers, such that all aspiring educators are prepared to serve all students in Massachusetts, particularly those from systemically underserved groups and communities.

Requirements

• Superior project management skills. A successful candidate will be able to manage multiple, shifting priorities in a high-demand, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to tailor communication to a variety of audiences.
• Strong ability to comprehend, analyze, and communicate complex information.
• Track record of consistently delivering on commitments.
• Experience working with educator preparation organizations.
• 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.
• Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License or the equivalent from another state may be required.

Nice To Haves

• Commitment to equity in education
• A strong desire to work with educator preparation faculty and leadership, and PK12 teachers and leaders to help all our children receive an excellent education.
• Unwavering belief in the ability of all children to learn at high levels.
• A demonstrated history of bringing anti-racist practices to your work.
• Collaborative approach to problem-solving.
• Proactive, initiative taker who identifies and takes action to improve one’s individual and the team’s collective work.

Responsibilities

• Facilitating a multi-faceted review process for a caseload of educator preparation providers, which results in high-stakes accountability recommendations.
• Managing informal program review submissions in high-need licensure areas (e.g., special education, secondary STEM) to review and approve licensure programs outside of the formal review cycle
• Providing ongoing support and assistance to the Educator Preparation field in alignment with DESE policy and regulations
• Supporting broader educator pipeline projects and related licensure programs
• Serving as a member of DESE’s Teaching and Learning Unit and performing other functions as assigned.

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.
• Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees