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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 would be expected to follow a hybrid model that combines in-office workdays per week and telework days working within commuting distance of our office in Everett, MA as needed. This is a contract position funded through June 30, 2025, with the potential of extension through June 30, 2027 pending budgets in future fiscal years. The analyst will work a hybrid schedule, with a mix of remote and in-office work at the DESE offices in Everett, with other possible meetings in the Boston area or around the state as needed. Please note that pursuant to Massachusetts general law, contracted employees are not paid for the eleven scheduled holidays, do not receive any paid, vacation, personal leave benefits, or contribute to the state retirement system or social security. As a state contracted employee, you must participate in direct deposit and contribute towards the Commonwealth of Massachusetts state alternate retirement plan, ("OBRA Plan"). The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Education-to-Career Research and Data Hub is seeking a contracted employee to perform the following duties/essential duties. Description Massachusetts is building a unified, easy-to-use Education-to-Career (E2C) Research and Data Hub to serve educators, policymakers, and researchers by enhancing the scope and quality of existing data as well as improving the ways in which data and research are shared and utilized. This work builds on a strong foundation of existing integrated data systems across early childhood, K-12, higher education, and labor and workforce. Reporting to the E2C Hub Executive Director and collaborating closely with the research teams at EEC, DESE and DHE, the Equity and Research Specialist is a role for someone who is passionate about education research as a tool for improving equity, keeps up to date on the latest research, knows the research base well, and has a strong understanding of how to translate research into practice and policy. While prior experience with quantitative research is preferred, the Specialist's role is focused on facilitating and improving research processes rather than conducting research directly. The Specialist’s primary responsibility will be improvement of research processes and systems at the three agencies. This will include direct facilitation of the research process at DESE, contributing to the development of the annual research agenda and coordinating the flow of research proposals, from initial submission, through legal approval, to providing data. The Specialist will facilitate two advisory committees, the Student and Family Voice Committee and the Researcher Advisory Committee, with a focus on equitable access to data and using data to address inequities in education. The Specialist will work closely with the Outreach and Engagement Specialist on communications with parents/caregivers/students, including newsletters, web page copy, webinars, and in-person meetings with community groups. The Specialist will collaborate with team members to help apply an equity lens on projects and ensure that research and analysis include an equity perspective. Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 1. Support improvements to research systems and processes • Work closely with agency research teams to update published research agendas annually, with a focus on equity-oriented topics. • Support the development and implementation of new systems for all stages of the research process: intake of proposals, review and feedback on proposals, establishing data sharing agreements, and fulfilling data requests. • Maintain a tracking system for research projects and work with researchers at key junctures: reviewing and refining proposals, updating on progress toward a written agreement, providing datasets, reviewing completed research. • Coordinate and lead internal research meetings to gather input on research proposals, collaborating with the Chief Strategy and Research Officer and others to determine which proposals can be "green-lit" for final review. • Coordinate and facilitate internal review board meetings, preparing final data-sharing agreements for review and sign off from the Chief Data Officer and legal counsel. • Work with each agency (DESE, EEC and DHE) on implementation of new systems and research processes. 2. Engage outside voices to help shape priorities of the E2C Hub • Manage all aspects of our two advisory committees, the Student and Family Voice Committee and the Research Advisory Committee, including: preparation for meetings 3x/year, facilitation of meetings, communication with members, recruitment and onboarding processes to replace members as terms expire, coordination of stipends, collaboration with internal research teams. • Develop relationships with equity-focused groups and community groups, fostering two-way communication. • Collaborate with external researchers and stakeholders to gather feedback and ensure transparency in research priorities. 3. Increase access and usage of education research • Keep up to date with national and state education research, especially research findings related to agency priority areas. • Collaborate with team to incorporate key points from relevant research into policy-focused reports, newsletter updates or other communications. • Develop and implement a strategy to organize research using user-friendly digital platforms to make findings more accessible and understandable. • Write “equity exemplar” research briefs that summarize the most important findings from research on a topic alongside a narrative account of how real schools implemented the research-backed practices and achieved results. • Partner with offices in each agency to disseminate equity exemplars, data stories, or research briefs to relevant schools, districts, colleges, and other education programs and gather feedback on their usefulness and relevance The successful candidate will demonstrate most of the following qualifications. Candidates not meeting all qualifications are still encouraged to apply. • Familiarity with the state and national landscape of education research, including key publications and research entities. • Ability to speak knowledgeably with academic researchers about aspects of their work, e.g. analyzing large datasets, choosing appropriate research methods, conducting literature reviews, presenting findings. • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to explain research findings for general audiences and for educators. • Experience on projects that involved translating research into practice effectively. • Experience working with an explicit equity-based lens. • Demonstrated experience in culturally responsive communication with diverse stakeholders. • Experience creating or contributing to publications about educational research or practices. • Familiarity with research related to achievement gaps and common strategies used by schools to address gaps. • Familiarity with Massachusetts education policy Travel will be required for this position. 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. 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: Administrative Services* *Organization: Department of Elementary and Secondary Education *Title: *Contracted Equity and Research Specialist Location: Massachusetts-Everett- 135 Santilli Highway Requisition ID: 250000CP