Senior Associate Commissioner for Special 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 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 Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education is a senior level position, serving on cabinet, and reporting to Deputy Commissioner Robert Curtin.

       The Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education will directly supervise four special education-related offices (Approved Special Education Schools, the Problem Resolution System, Special Education in Institutional Settings, and Special Education Planning and Policy). The role will be to coordinate efforts across these four offices and to coordinate closely with the Monitoring and Compliance Unit so that the Department provides coherent and consistent supports for students with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. The Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education will organize coordination meetings of the directors and assistant directors of those four teams, data review meetings with the leaders of the four special education offices and the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (three times per year), and quarterly all special education staff meetings.

Special Education in Institutional Settings provides direct services to students in facilities maintained by the Department of Corrections, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Youth Services and is the only instance in which the Department is ensuring the actual provision of educational services for students, similar to school districts. The Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education will be needed to provide oversight and direction for those services, which is a unique undertaking for Department staff. 

 In addition, the Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education will represent the Department in regular coordination meetings with special education advocacy and professional organizations. The Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education will also serve as the Commissioner’s designee to the Autism Commission and will co-chair the Ages 0-14 Subcommittee of the Autism Commission. The Senior Associate Commissioner will also serve as the Commissioner’s designee to the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) Advisory Council and will coordinate the Department’s oversight of the BSEA.

With support from the Director of Special Education Policy and Planning, the Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education, will co-lead coordinating with OSEP as the Department develops and implements improvements related to General Supervision that OSEP will review during a scheduled onsite monitoring visit in 2025. The Senior Associate Commissioner will support the Director of SEPP to coordinate our efforts with OSEP-provided technical assistance providers in support of our General Supervision improvement efforts.

Finally, the Senior Associate Commissioner of Special Education will direct specific interoffice initiatives that require a high level of oversight and coordination.

Provide administrative leadership and supervision to assigned unit offices, including the development of operational plans, oversight of day-to-day operational activities, allocation of budgetary and staffing resources, and supervision and mentoring of subordinate managers to attain goals.

Strategic planning, including the evaluation of existing programs and the development of new programs, initiatives, and activities to achieve the Department's mission and/or improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Department operations to positively impact students.

Direct oversight and leadership responsibility of major projects assigned by the Commissioner and/or Deputy Commissioner which involve staff from other Department units and/or staff from other agencies.

Provide oversight and direction on policy development and implementation on Approved Special Education Schools, the Problem Resolution System, Special Education in Institutional Settings, and Special Education Planning and Policy programming across the agency including coordination across offices within DESE who support Approved Special Education Schools, the Problem Resolution System, Special Education in Institutional Settings, and Special Education Planning and Policy. Support the coordination and development of policy related to key governmental agencies and bodies, including the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Maintain a high level of expertise in the assigned areas of work, including attendance at national conferences, review of relevant research and studies, and discussions with officials in the U.S. Department of Education, OSEP, and other state education agencies, to ensure that Department programs and activities are informed by data-driven research and best practices.

Ensure that supervised staff, staff elsewhere in the Department, and outside stakeholder groups are communicating effectively and working together in a productive, collegial relationship.     

Other duties as assigned by the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner (e.g. responding to constituents, presenting at Board meetings, etc.)    

Represent DESE at meetings with external groups as needed, including presenting at the BESE meetings and with OSEP. 

Based on assignment, travel throughout the Commonwealth may be required.

The position will report to the Everett office 5 days/week.

Questions regarding this posting or the application process should be referred to Maureen O'Brien @ maureen.t.o'brien@mass.gov

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Thorough understanding of public policy and educational practice at the district and state level;

·       Experience and demonstrated knowledge of special education school programming, state and federal special education policies and general supervision;

·       Ability to articulate a clear vision of high-quality education for students with disabilities;

·       Experience in implementing state and federal laws and program standards;

·       Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively establish dialogue with all stakeholder groups;

·       Experience and background in a leadership position in school or district or educational organization;

·       5-10 years of experience with senior level leadership in an educational setting;

·       Extensive experience in education policy development and program implementation;

·       5-10 years of experience supervising professional education-related staff.

·       MA Special Education Administrator license preferred

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) 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 four (4) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

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.