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’s (DESE) Office of Effective Partnerships and Impact (OEPI) designs and delivers statewide supports in the form of professional learning opportunities, tools and resources, grants, progress monitoring and evaluation, direct assistance and coaching, and partnerships. These supports are designed to target the systems and structures that can lead to more equitable opportunities and outcomes for students. The OEPI team is part of the Center for School and District Partnership (CSDP), which developed and uses theCoherence Guidebookas a framework for school improvement and ensures multiple offices at DESE work together to support schoolprogress. All work within OEPI and CSDP is in support of DESE’sEducational Vision. 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. TheSenior Strategistfor Continuous Improvement and Impactwill directly support the Department’sEducational Visionby leading critical projects for CSDP focused on ensuring the offices within this Center (Kaleidoscope Collective for Learning, Statewide System of Support, Office of Language Acquisition, Office of Effective Partnerships and Impact, and the Ed Tech office) are strategically supporting districts in implementing culturally responsive practices that will improve educational outcomes for students across the Commonwealth. Key Job responsibilities: * *Continuous Improvement and Measuring Impact · Innovate, design, and implement a center-wide progress monitoring system, with explicit focus on racial equity and systems-level change that helps ensure that all children obtain a culturally responsive education. Responsibilities include: o collecting school site visit data to inform school and district practice and CSDP supports to promote deeper learning, o ensuring schools and districts receive timely, high-quality site-visit reports, o working with the CSDP leadership team to analyze aggregate data from schools and districts to inform the implementation and impact of CSDP supports, and o continuously improve the progress monitoring process with contracted partner. · Lead internal and external reporting and dissemination of best practices aligned to CSDP progress monitoring for multiple audiences, including but not limited to legislators, community stakeholders, districts, and schools. · Oversee development and implementation of multi-year research and evaluation plans for CSDP progress monitoring in partnership with the Department’s Office of Planning and Research; * *Student Opportunity Act · In partnership with the SOA Coordinator, support the team administering theStudent Opportunity Act(SOA) by: o utilizing effective project management processes to ensure project goals and timelines are met and deliverables are high-quality for the administration of the SOA Plan development, collection, and feedback processes; and o leading internal and external reporting and dissemination of best practices aligned to SOA Plans for multiple audiences, including but not limited to legislators, community stakeholders, districts, and schools. Center-wide Supports: · Facilitate collaboration with DESE leadership, CSPD leadership, DESE staff from other units, and external stakeholders in order to enhance projects, serve as a thought partner, and align work agency-wide; · Innovate, design, and implement new and continuing projects to meet the current needs of students, families, schools, and districts across Massachusetts, with a particular focus on districts requiring focused or targeted support based on theAccountability System; · Manage partner contracts by determining project scopes and working with partners and DESE business offices to execute all contracts annually; · Lead and organize meetings and/or convenings for schools and district stakeholders related to assigned projects; · Write, review, and/or oversee grants and procurement bids; · Perform other duties as assigned; and · Based on assignment, travel is required. * * Desired Knowledge and Skills: · Demonstrate equity and racial equity leadership by centering the experiences of historically marginalized students and addressing inequitable behaviors and systems; · Knowledge of, and appreciation for the distinct approaches, assets, diversity, and emerging issues of the K-12 education workforce, students, and families; · Ability to communicate in a compelling and effective manner to build trust and partnership among internal and external stakeholders; give and receive direct feedback to move adult practice; · Knowledge and expertise in managing a continuous cycle of improvement in districts and/or schools, government agencies, or other applicable settings; · Expertise in project management, grant development, 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 work on multiple tasks and/or projects concurrently; · Supervisory experience; · Ability to work as part of a team and commitment to being part of a learning organization; and · Ability to travel in-state and nationally (as needed) to support districts and attend relevant meetings/conferences. * Please include a cover letter and resume with your online application.* *Questions regarding this posting or the application process should be directed to Maureen O’Brien @ maureen.t.o’[email protected] This position is based at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in Everett. Staff arecurrently operating within a hybrid model, telecommuting up to three days per week. *First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have a Master’s degree and at least five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, educational experience in a specific or related content area, educational program/or service; Based on assignment, candidates must possess at least one year of supervisory, program coordination or managerial experience; a Doctorate degree in a specific or related educational content area may be substituted for two years of the required experience; one year of education equals 30 semester hours; education towards a degree in a specific or related educational content area will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed. Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License or the equivalent from another state may be required. *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. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! 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. *Job: Education *Organization: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education *Title: *Senior Strategist for Continuous Improvement and Impact (ESD) Location: Massachusetts-Everett- 135 Santilli Highway Requisition ID: 2400002Z