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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. *_The Massachusetts Public Higher Education System_*_ _ The Massachusetts System of Public Higher Education (“System”) enrolls approximately 260,000 students in credit-bearing programs annually. The System consists of 15 community colleges, 9 state universities, and 5 University of Massachusetts (“UMass”) campuses. The Board of Higher Education (BHE) has coordination and oversight responsibilities for the entire System, and the BHE, together with each respective Board of Trustees, expects all students, faculty, and staff to be held to exacting standards in the performance of their roles and responsibilities. The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (“Board” or “BHE”) is the Commonwealth’s higher education authority with coordinating and regulatory responsibility for all public and private higher education institutions operating in the Commonwealth that are authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by aCommissionerwho serves as the executive and administrative head of the department. Together, the BHE and DHE are the leading voice and advocate for postsecondary education in the Commonwealth. In addition, the BHE and DHE’s authority includes administering state financial aid and federal grant programs; managing and responding to consumer complaints; conducting financial assessments of institutions; managing employee relations and benefits for public higher education employees; managing collective bargaining contracts with state university and community colleges employees; and approving degree-granting authority for all public and most private higher education institutions operating within the Commonwealth. Currently, there are 80 private institutions of higher education operating in the Commonwealth and authorized to grant degrees. The BHE is staffed by its executive agency, the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which is run by Commissioner Ortega. The Department of Higher Education is committed to the_Values_of Equity, Accountability, Community, Empowerment, Intentionality, and Teamwork, and seeks applicants who value the full diversity of Massachusetts students and who share a sensitivity to and understanding of the academic, socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of the populations served. We employ a hybrid hoteling work model with a fixed weekly team day schedule. *_Position Overview _* Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner for Academic Affairs and Student Success at the Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts Inclusive Post Secondary Enrollment Initiative (MAIPSE) Director plays a crucial role in overseeing and managing MAIPSE programs and initiatives across every undergraduate public institution of higher education in Massachusetts. The Director is responsible for assisting the Deputy Commissioner with the allocation and management of all funding; facilitating student participation, program development/expansion, and services to students; strengthening partnerships and coordination of activities among key stakeholders; developing and implementing communication strategies; and evaluating and continuously improving implementation of the Massachusetts Inclusive Post Secondary Enrollment Initiative (MAIPSE). The Director works closely with department heads, stakeholders, Massachusetts adult service agencies, and community members to ensure that the agency is meeting its goals and objectives of the MAIPSE programs effectively. The Director is involved in developing strategic plans, policies, and procedures to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the MAIPSE programs. The position is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating program outcomes, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing solutions to address any challenges that may arise. Additionally, the Director will represent the agency at meetings, conferences, and events, which include presenting and educating constituents about Massachusetts Inclusive Postsecondary Education, and serve as a liaison between our agency and external partners. Strong communication skills are necessary for this position, and the ability to build relationships will be essential in fostering collaboration and partnerships to advance MAIPSE’s mission. Overall, the Director will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities throughout the state. Dedication and passion for public service will be instrumental in helping to achieve the initiative’s goals and deliver high-quality services to those that MAIPSE serves. Since its inception in 2007, MAIPSE (formerly “MAICEI”) has served as a grant program that funds and supports high school students between the ages of 18 and 21 (i.e., up to the age of 22) with severe disabilities to concurrently participate in college-level classes, pursuant to and subject to the student’s Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). In July of 2022, landmark legislation was enacted in Massachusetts related to expanding opportunities for students with severe disabilities to participate in post-secondary experiences within the public higher education system. Importantly, the 2022 legislation expanded access to post-secondary experiences to those students with severe intellectual disabilities, aged twenty-two (22) years and over, who have aged out of the K-12 sector without obtaining a sufficient competency determination under c. 69, §1D or obtaining a high school diploma. In effect, under the 2022 law, prospective students who previously fell beyond MAICEI’s purview will now have opportunities to participate in courses as non-matriculating students with their nondisabled peers at all Massachusetts state universities and community colleges, while also engaging in extracurricular activities and other aspects of campus life with supports and services necessary to facilitate inclusion. This initiative will not only benefit students with intellectual disabilities by expanding their educational opportunities, but it will also enrich the college community by fostering a more inclusive and diverse learning environment. This has allowed MAIPSE to grow and become a part of all Massachusetts public colleges and universities. *_Responsibilities/Essential Job Functions_* * Establish and administer a comprehensive outreach, policy program development, and expansion plan in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), school districts, the MAIPSE advisory board, Massachusetts Adult Service agencies, and public institutions of higher education to increase opportunities for students to participate in MAIPSE. * Supervise and monitor implementation of the 2022 legislation and accompanying DHE regulation 610 CMR 15.00, including but not limited to ensuring that campuses adhere to statutorily required reporting and data sharing requirements. * Create and execute policy strategies to increase the responsiveness of local and state agencies to the needs of potential as well as participating students and their families, ensuring that students can successfully participate in inclusive college-level courses, pursue employment opportunities, and transition to independent living. * Build and enact enhanced support strategies to ensure that students can successfully participate in inclusive college-level courses, pursue employment opportunities, and transition to independent living. * Administer outreach policies and statewide plans to disseminate information about the MAIPSE and grant opportunities to parents and family members, educators in school districts and public institutions of higher education, and representatives from other educational, disability, parent/family, and youth organizations. * Formulate and disseminate effective strategies related to the delivery of services to students to ensure that they will be able to meet academic, social, employment, transitional, and other goals. * Expand and administer new strategies to provide high-quality professional development and technical assistance opportunities for grant recipients and other stakeholders related to the provision of effective support strategies for students with severe disabilities, students’ transition to inclusive college environments, students’ pursuit of employment opportunities, and the transition to independent living. * Develop and implement enhanced strategies to sustain existing partnerships among key stakeholders and deliver high- quality services to students, including the creation of informational and guidance materials, procedures to strategically allocate and expend state funding, and the creation of opportunities to share information about effective practices and models. * Create and disseminate informational materials about the Initiative and conduct presentations to key stakeholders to increase interest in, knowledge of, and participation in the Initiative. * Establish and implement evaluation policies and strategies to assess the impact of the Initiative on multiple student outcomes, the expenditure of state funding, the provision of support services for students, and other aspects of the program, and create reports that will be submitted to the Commissioner, DHE staff, and the legislature. *_Competencies/Skills and Abilities _*_ _ * Strong commitment to and experience with providing students with severe disabilities with extensive opportunities to pursue education, career, and other opportunities in an inclusive college environment. * Ability to translate a comprehensive and bold vision for providing inclusive educational opportunities into specific student, institutional, and statewide outcomes. * Significant knowledge of the provision of academic, social, developmental, and inclusive transition services to students with severe disabilities, as demonstrated by professional experience working in high schools, institutions of higher education, or other institutions/organizations that serve this population of students. * Significant experience working with multiple partners that provide comprehensive support services to students with severe disabilities. * Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to produce high-quality informational and guidance materials and interact with a diverse group of stakeholders. * Ability to understand and work with the intricacies of higher education administration. * Ability to develop and implement comprehensive and strategic plans, both independently and in collaboration with key partners. * The ability to develop effective and accessible training materials related to the provision of inclusive educational and other services to students with severe disabilities. * Ability to plan, organize, and track work using core project-management principles, including defining scope, milestones, and deliverables aligned with agency priorities. * Demonstrated skill in managing tasks and timelines in a structured, transparent way, with comfort coordinating across teams to keep projects on track. * Familiarity with common project-management tools and digital work platforms (e.g., Asana, Trello, Smartsheet, MS365 tools) and the ability to adopt new tools as needed. * Aspires to lead by and practice the_DHE Values and Behaviors_and commits to embodying them through continued learning and personal growth. * Experience working with diverse teams and leveraging their unique perspectives to achieve positive outcomes. * Demonstrated experience in creating an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued. * Promotes a collaborative workplace climate. *_Preferred Qualification _* * At least ten years of experience in related work, with at least one year in a managerial capacity. * Significant knowledge of the provision of academic, social, developmental, and inclusive transition services to students with severe disabilities, as demonstrated by professional experience working in high schools, institutions of higher education, or other institutions/organizations that serve this population of students. *_Reporting and Location_*_ _ * One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts * In-state hybrid work, with a minimum of one in-person day each week. * In-state travel to campuses and partner organizations. * Out-of-state travel to attend national conferences and events *_To Apply:_* Interested candidates should submit the following with their application: * Resume * Cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position /*Questions regarding this position should be directed to *//*[email protected]*//* */ _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 project management, 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!_ **Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. *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 Higher Education* **Title:** *Massachusetts Inclusive Post Secondary Enrollment Initiative (MAIPSE) Director* **Location:** *Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place* **Requisition ID:** *2600004D*