Policy and Research Specialist

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking a Policy and Research Specialist to coordinate statewide workforce planning, policy development, and grant management. The role oversees the MassHire Workforce Board Certification process and the Local Annual Plan, ensuring alignment with federal and state priorities.

The position supports strategic planning activities, including statewide visioning, regional planning, and State Plan development with EOLWD.

Qualifications

• Three years of full-time (or equivalent part-time) professional/administrative/managerial experience in program management, coordination, planning or analysis.
• Substitutions: Bachelor's degree may substitute for up to two years; graduate degree may substitute for required experience; non-business degree may substitute for up to one year.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate statewide workforce planning to align with federal, state, and EOLWD priorities.
• Develop, revise, and QA policy documents issued through MassWorkforce Issuance system.
• Oversee MassHire Workforce Board Certification process for local areas.
• Manage Local Annual Plan process for regional alignment.
• Assist with statewide visioning and State Plan development with EOLWD.
• Prepare reports and analyses for leadership and stakeholders.
• Provide training and technical assistance to MassHire Career Centers and Workforce Boards.

Skills

Policy analysis

Program coordination

Stakeholder liaison

Data interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration / business management / public administration

Graduate degree in business administration / public administration

Bachelor's or higher degree in non-business major (substitution for 1 year)

Tools

MassWorkforce Issuance system

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Policy and Research Specialist (260006YJ)

Job Description

Policy and Research Specialist - ( 260006YJ )

Description

The Program Coordinator II, Policy and Research Specialist, in the Strategic Planning and Policy Unit is responsible for coordinating and supporting statewide workforce planning, policy development, and grant management activities. The incumbent oversees the MassHire Workforce Board Certification process and the Local Annual Plan for the local workforce development areas, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) priorities.

The position contributes to the development, revision, and quality assurance of policy documents issued through the MassWorkforce Issuance system. The Specialist supports strategic planning activities, including statewide visioning, regional planning coordination, and State Plan development with EOLWD.

The incumbent assists with analysis and interpretation of federal and state laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards; maintains accurate records and documentation; prepares reports; and serves as a liaison to EOLWD staff, MassHire Career Centers, Workforce Boards, and other state agencies.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Coordinate and support statewide workforce planning activities to ensure alignment with federal, state, and EOLWD priorities.

Contribute to the development, revision, and quality assurance of policy documents issued through the MassWorkforce Issuance system.

Oversee and coordinate the MassHire Workforce Board Certification process for local workforce development areas.

Manage and support the Local Annual Plan process to ensure compliance and strategic alignment across all regions.

Assist with statewide visioning, strategic alignment, and coordination of planning activities with EOLWD.

Support EOLWD in regional planning efforts, ensuring consistency with statewide workforce strategies.

Contribute to the development, coordination, and submission of the WIOA State Plan and related planning documents.

Conduct research, analyze data, and interpret federal and state laws, regulations, guidelines, and standards to inform policy and planning decisions.

Maintain accurate records, documentation, and data systems to support policy, planning, and compliance activities.

Prepare reports, summaries, and analyses for internal leadership, EOLWD, and external stakeholders.

Provide training, guidance, and technical assistance to MassHire Career Centers, Workforce Boards, and internal DCS staff.

Serve as a liaison to EOLWD staff, MassHire Career Centers, Workforce Boards, and other state agencies to support coordination and communication.

Review, edit, and ensure accuracy and consistency of policy documents prior to statewide issuance.

Organize, manage, and analyze data to support planning, policy development, and reporting functions.

Coo rdin a te , sc h e dul e , atte n d , a n d , as n ecessa r y , l e a d meetings , se minar s , wo rk s h op s a nd r epre s en t age n cy on panels to gat h e r and d i sse min ate in fo rm at i o n .

Utilize workforce systems, learning management systems, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, analytics tools, and digital collaboration platforms including applications similar to Microsoft Office, SharePoint, and Teams.

Support statewide innovation efforts including the Office of Workforce Innovation and the MassHire Innovation Project, as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*

III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

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.

An Equal Opportunity / Aff. 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

Training and Development

Agency

Department of Workforce Development

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Number of Openings

1

Salary

73,615.88 - 106,401.62 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Aff. Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Karen Clifton-Hayes - 6176265138

Bargaining Unit : 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes