SSoS Program Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Everett, MA

1d • 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 and 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 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.

Educational Vision of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Our educational vision describes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) aspiration for elementary and secondary public education and adult basic education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This vision is anchored in our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning in the Commonwealth. We will continue to work with districts, schools, and educators to promote teaching and learning that is antiracist, inclusive, multilingual, and multicultural; that values and affirms each and every student and their families; and that creates equitable opportunities and experiences for all students, particularly those who have been historically underserved. For more information on our vision, click here.

The Department’s Statewide System of Support (SSoS) in the recently formed District and School Assistance Unit (DSA) provides targeted support and intervention to districts that have multiple schools designated as focused/targeted and broad/comprehensive support by the accountability system, including underperforming schools and schools in the lowest 10%25 of the state’s accountability system. The SSoS program specialist is a critical member of the SSoS team, contributing to centralized systems and supports that ensure the work of various SSoS team members and vendor partners is efficient, accurate, cohesive, and results in our collective efforts helping districts reach their goals for improved student outcomes. This role is critical in helping SSoS establish and sustain common systems and practices that contribute to the efficiency, accuracy and alignment of the work in schools and districts. The program specialist may also provide support directly to schools and/or districts according to the SSoS and DSA assistance models.

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.
• 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

• Experience in public K-12 schools or similar educational context.
• Experience contributing to school and/or district improvement efforts that resulted in improved outcomes for students, especially those experiencing the largest gaps in opportunity and achievement
• Demonstrate instructional leadership by possessing an understanding of MA curriculum standards and WIDA language development standards
• Demonstrate equity and racial equity leadership by centering the experiences of students who have been underserved by educational systems and addresses equity and racial equity detours
• Ability to build strong partnerships with district and school leaders in the state’s lowest performing schools and districts
• Ability to communicate in a compelling and adaptive manner to build trust and partnership among internal and external stakeholders; able to give and receive direct feedback to move adult practice
• Outcomes- and results-oriented. Demonstrate high expectations by committing to impact and contributing to goals that accomplish ambitious outcomes for students
• Effective collaborator and team-member who takes initiative and can give, receive and act on feedback; able to lead from within and be a learner. Able to work independently and collaboratively in a complex work environment
• Strong organization, time management, and project management skills. Ability to manage multiple, shifting priorities in a high-demand, fast-paced environment, and prioritize effectively for maximum impact
• Ability to adapt to changing needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Strong communication skills (written, verbal, and nonverbal)
• Solutions-oriented, creative problem-solver. Able to simultaneously consider both the big picture and the details needed to implement it
• Strong track record of analyzing and communicating themes from a wide range of complex data and evidence to inform decision-making and monitor impact.
• Experience supporting external partnerships, and/or cross-office or cross-function teams
• Knowledge and/or experience with tools and platforms that can enhance team collaboration, communication and efficiency

Responsibilities

• The Program Specialist, Educational Specialist C, plays a critical role contributing to centralized systems and supports that ensure the work of various SSoS team members and vendor partners is efficient, accurate, cohesive, and results in our collective efforts helping districts reach their goals for improved student outcomes.
• As the agency rolls out the new Accelerating Achievement Partnership, there will be many new systems, structures, and procedures to develop and implement to support districts, schools and DESE colleagues with implementation of the new expectations.
• Centralized support for school/district planning: Develop and/or update SSoS guidance (such as for school and district planning implementation and monitoring), Reviews of annual plan submissions to ensure alignment to required guidance and to state and federal requirements
• Communication and collaboration systems (internal SharePoint, website, Google Drive, etc.): Supporting the development, implementation, and maintenance of centralized document organization to allow for efficient, job-embedded access to key files, including supporting colleagues with use of these systems.
• Support for internal data use, such as: Tool creation: accountability data, E2C Hub displays, SSoS School Observation data collection and summary reports; Data analysis: synthesis/analysis of a range of qualitative and quantitative data to inform SSoS and DSA support and internal progress monitoring and program evaluation; Data use: help build capacity of SSoS team members to use this data, modeling skills we want to build in districts
• Direct support to schools and districts (as needed, in partnership with other colleagues), such as for plan development, implementation, and or progress monitoring
• Cross-office collaboration aligned to SSoS goals (as needed)
• Project/Contract management (as needed, TBD)
• Special projects (TBD)
• Other Duties as assigned
• Based on assignment, travel throughout the Commonwealth may be required

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level