Education Director

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Job Description - Education Director (25000188)

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic, highly organized, mission-driven individual to fill the role of Education Director. The DCF Education Director provides leadership, program management, policy development, case consultation, and training to support the Department’s goals of educational stability and achievement for all children involved with the Department. Reporting to the Assistant Commissioner for Program Support, the Director supports consistent practice within DCF’s education work and identifies and addresses systemic barriers to accessing educational services. The Director supervises the Regional Education Coordinators (5 FTEs) and supports the 29 Lead Agency Education Coordinators.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supervise five Regional Education Coordinators.
2. Develop, implement, and oversee the Department’s work on education for DCF-involved students including policy development and practice guidance.
3. Monitor state and federal laws, programs, and resources that may impact the education of DCF-involved students.
4. Advise Department leadership and external constituencies on matters relating to education, strategic education initiatives, policy, and practice management matters.
5. Serve as liaison on behalf of the Department with internal/external working groups, public engagements, community-based organizations, educational institutions, providers, state and federal agencies, the general public, and other stakeholders.
6. Coordinate with Regional Education Coordinators and Lead Agency Educational Coordinators to identify systemic barriers to accessing educational services for children in DCF care/custody.
7. Facilitate training and develop materials for staff.
8. Research issues related to best practices.
9. Provide and analyze metrics related to education.
10. Provide consultation and troubleshooting to DCF field staff on educational-related issues and promote consistent practice and strategies when working with schools.
11. Oversee and coordinate DCF’s Special Education Legal Services referral program.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. A demonstrated commitment to the Department’s core practice values.
2. At least eight (8) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, and supervisory or management experience, of which his/her major duties included program policy analysis and development, program development, program management, program coordination, program monitoring, and program evaluation.
3. Prior experience working within an education-related system.
4. Familiarity with child welfare practice, public education systems, current laws and policies governing educational services for children.
5. Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues and external constituents.
6. Competence in resolving problems and conflicts in a diplomatic and tactful manner.
7. Demonstrated program measurement, reporting, and evaluation skills.
8. Excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills.
9. Proven ability to work under pressure and manage projects with a high degree of accuracy.
10. Technically savvy with proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care, when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship, or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

1. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
2. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
3. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
4. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

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.

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.

Official Title: Program Manager VI

Primary Location

Job

Job:

Community and Social Services

Agency

Agency:

Department of Children & Families

Schedule

Schedule:

Full-time

Shift

Shift:

Day

Job Posting

Job Posting:

Mar 6, 2025, 9:22:01 PM

Number of Openings

Number of Openings:

1

Salary

90,828.27 - 139,814.63 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Jae Beal (jae.beal2@mass.gov) - 8572837581

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes