*Executive Office of Education* 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. This position offers some flexibility of location within the current hybrid work model. *Department of Early Education & Care – Overview* The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is an Agency within the Executive Office of Education and reports to the Board of Early Education and Care. EEC’s vision is that children, youth and families reach their full potential now and in the future. EEC’s mission is to, in partnership with families, educators, programs and other stakeholders, use data driven decision-making to inform work around the following objectives: • Family Access: Families have equitable access to quality and affordable early education and care in the communities in which they live, learn, and work. • Program Stability: Early education and care programs are operationally stable and financially sustainable. • Program Quality: Early education and care programs support children’s health and safety and provide high quality environments that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and support children’s learning and development in partnership with families. • Workforce Supports: A diverse field of educators, leaders, and program staff is competitively compensated and supported by clear professional pathways that promote quality, retention, and advancement. • Agency Infrastructure: EEC has sufficient internal capacity, organizational structures, and diverse perspectives and expertise to carry out its mission and strategic objectives *Position Overview* * * The Director of Investigations is a leader within the Field Operations Division at the Department, reporting directly to the Deputy Commissioner of Field Operations. The Director is responsible for providing leadership and oversight of day-to-day operations of the Investigations Unit across the EEC’s five Regional Offices which regulate and monitor more than 8,600 licensed or approved providers serving more than 250,000 children on any given day. This also includes interfacing with the Residential and Placement Division and overseeing investigations at licensed residential setting and group homes. The role involves leading a team of managers and Investigators to ensure that providers comply with the regulations and standards for the health, safety, and well-being of children. They will also maintain a robust management system to ensure investigations are conducted timely, effectively and, when necessary, in collaboration with other state agencies and/or law enforcement. The Director will also review, analyze and present data to identify trends to implement programmatic, policy and/or operational improvements in collaboration with other divisions of the agency. *Key Responsibilities * *Management and Oversight of EEC Investigations* * * Manage and provide oversight regarding EEC’s response to investigations, complaints, emergency situations and potential dangers to the health, safety and wellbeing of children in childcare settings by triaging and applying the appropriate resources of the investigation unit and assigning complaints and incidents to be investigated and depending upon the severity of the incident. This oversight includes: • working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies, child welfare agencies (such as the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Youth Services (DYS)), providers, families and advocates to ensure that individuals providing early education, residential, foster care and adoption placement services are in compliance with all regulatory requirements and are held to the highest standards • ensuring that investigations are conducted using a racial equity and trauma informed lens • collaborating and coordinating, when appropriate, investigative activities with licensing and legal staff *Leadership & Management* * * • Work in collaboration with licensing staff and programs to assign, respond to and conduct investigations pursuant to EEC policy, procedure and regulation. • Work collaboratively with the five Regional Directors to manage the priorities of each region to both ensure consistency in practice while understanding and considering regional trends and differences. • Monitor and utilize those reports to identify trends and other quality improvement opportunities. • Develop and provide training to investigators, field staff, providers and other state agencies on the Investigation process. • Provide leadership and regular oversight of the Investigations Unit and maintain regular and structured communication with Regional Directors, and the Director of Residential and Placement. • Engage with and ensure the experience and voice of the Investigations Unit is heard and considered in any policy, regulation and procedural changes impacting their work *Trend Spotting, Data Analysis and Process Recommendation* * * • Oversee a systemic approach to review results of complaint investigations, licensing studies and compliance plans and advises the Deputy Commissioner for Field Operations and Senior Staff about the trends and patterns in licensed and funded programs in order to determine the appropriate actions of the agency in response to regulatory non-compliances or other incidents that impact the health, safety and wellbeing of children. • Develop and implement a system to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of investigation unit practices and activities • Maintain up-to-date policies and procedures for the Investigations Unit (e.g. internal handbooks and working procedures) • Develop and support the implementation of a consistent onboarding procedure for new Investigators as well as identify ongoing training needs on emerging trends for Investigations Unit *Cross-Agency Relationship Development* * * • Foster positive working relationships between the Investigation Unit, Residential and Placement Unit, Regional staff and EEC's external partners including among others EOE, DESE, Administration for Children and Families, trade organizations, early education advocates and parent groups and providers/programs • Coordinate with BRC unit and liaise between field operations and legal *Preferred Qualifications* * * • Demonstrated leadership success in principles and practices of early childhood education and knowledge of the development of children • Demonstrated knowledge of the Federal and State laws and regulations governing the functions of the Department of Early Education and Care • Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills • Demonstrated ability to interact and communicate with all levels of staff, professional partners, and sister agencies • Ability to set priorities and identify goals and objectives • Strong leadership skills and ability to facilitate and support team building • Ability to design and implement operations and agency process improvements and redesign processes • Ability to review and analyze data and research on early education and care trends • Ability to exercise sound judgment • Ability to handle and disseminate confidential information • Ability to develop and implement new policies and procedures to achieve goals of the agency Travel will be required for this position. Questions regarding this position or the application process please contactmartine.laine@mass.gov. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) 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 two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. _*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 Early Education and Care* **Title:** *Director of Investigations* **Location:** *Massachusetts-Boston - 50 Milk St* **Requisition ID:** *250002DD*