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 family child care, 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 family child care and Family Child Care (FCC) Systems, and the 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, management of the quality and licensing teams, and the team designing a credential. 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 family child care, including support for FCC Systems, any new supports developed as a result of recommendations for new models, and the Early Childhood Support Organization contracts.

Job Duties:

• Support the management and oversight of program support grants/contracts related to the building program stability and continuous quality improvement. Specifically, monitor and support quality implementation of initiatives related to program facing supports for all program types with a focus on family child care, as well as attention to group and school age and after school and out of school time);

• Oversee contractors hired to conduct supportive research, development work and implementation of new systems and models to support continuous quality improvement for all types of early education programs;

• Work closely with community partners such as child care agencies and family child care educators and family child care Systems, 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 providers, 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 family child care programs, and manage the process of gathering input internally and externally in the redesign of this system of supports. This includes supervising contractors who will support the engagement strategies and analysis necessary to structure the redesign, and providing direct and contracted support to family child care systems;

• 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 workforce for relevance for EEC programs, policies, and initiatives;

• Manage assigned workforce related funds including but not limited to any enhanced supports for family child care and FCC Systems, the Early Childhood Support Organization initiative, and research funding for contractors to support planning;

• Report, when requested, to the Deputy Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Support, 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 Research, Innovation and Support 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:

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

• Knowledge of child development, curriculum and teaching practices in mixed age groups, and program structures of family child care settings;

• 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 program types, specifically those in family child care settings;

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

• Experience in designing and providing professional development, coaching and/or mentoring to the early education and care workforce, including Head Start, early education and care programs (group and school age and family child care), and public school early childhood programs, or early childhood teaching experience, or experience as a program administrator in an early childhood context, including but not limited to family child care systems;

• Knowledge of and experience in using classroom quality observation tools, including but not limited to the CLASS and the ERS, and other tools used to support quality and continuous improvement, including those relevant for family child care;

• 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.

Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to Dawn.E.DeRoche@mass.gov

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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