Exec Director, Early Childhood Operations, Policy, & Strategy
Director, Department Of Education
Recruitment #23-005054-0002
Department | MSDE - Division of Early Childhood Development |
---|---|
Date Opened | 6/7/2023 4:45:00 PM |
Filing Deadline | 8/18/2023 11:59:00 PM |
Salary | $102,170.00 - $164,752.00/year |
Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
HR Analyst | Christopher King |
Work Location |
Baltimore City
|
Introduction
GRADE
State
Salary Grade 25
Salary
Range: $102,170 - $164,752
*State
Salary Guidelines apply for current State employees.
LOCATION OF POSITION
Nancy
S. Grasmick Education Building
200
West Baltimore Street
Baltimore,
MD 21201
Main Purpose of Job
The Executive Director of Operations, Policy, and Strategy is a key leadership position within the Division of Early Childhood, responsible for overseeing and directing all operational, policy, and strategic initiatives in partnership with the Assistant State Superintendent. With a focus on delivering high-quality programs and services that meet the needs of children, families, and early childhood educators, the Executive Director plays a critical role in ensuring excellence and quality customer service.
In collaboration with division directors, the Executive Director drives process improvements to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Attention to detail is paramount in this role, as the Executive Director maintains a keen eye on all work activities and navigates competing priorities with a sense of urgency. This position works closely with other MSDE offices and divisions, forging effective partnerships to improve internal processes and achieve shared goals.
This position ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, as well as internal and external audits. Through meticulous oversight and adherence to regulatory requirements, the Executive Director ensures that the Division operates in accordance with all guidelines and maintains the highest standards of accountability.
Further this position oversees the Communications and Engagement Manager, the Policy and Strategy Manager, and Systems Operations and Integration Manager. Collaboration with key stakeholders is essential, as the Executive Director works closely with the Director of Early Childhood Finance, the Business Partner, the IT Partner, the Grants Manager, the Research Statistician, the Internal Auditor Supervisor, and the Talent Partner to maintain workflow and drive successful outcomes.
Finally, this leadership role will have a profound impact on the Division of Early Childhood by directing operational, policy, and strategic initiatives, ensuring compliance, fostering effective partnerships and serving a vital role in advancing the Division's mission to provide exceptional programs and services for children, families, and early childhood educators supporting the Maryland State Department of Education’s efforts in implementing the multiyear strategic plan and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
POSITION DUTIES
Manages High Quality Operations by
Implementing Process Improvements within the Division and across MSDE
- Supervises the day-to-day operations of the Division of Early Childhood, including budgeting, resource allocation, and personnel management.
- Collaborates with Assistant Superintendent and Division directors to streamline processes, optimize efficiency, fill vacancies, and facilitate effective communication and collaboration.
- Leads and implements frameworks to support change management and process improvement across the Division in partnership with the Assistant Superintendent.
- Manages Division of Early Childhood resource allocation in partnership with Assistant Superintendent and Director, Early Childhood Finance.
- Establishes and implements frameworks and key deliverables, in partnership with the Division of Assessment, Accountability, and Performance Reporting, to assess the effectiveness and impact of MSDE issues grants for early childhood services and programs.
- Drives and coordinates Division communications and engagement priorities in close partnership with the Office of Communications and Community Engagement.
- Tracks, monitors, and implements processes to address all internal and external audit findings to support the Division in maintaining compliance to federal and state regulations.
- Coordinates program and grant reports to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families and (when applicable) the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., Preschool Development Grant, Birth to Five).
- Leads and supervises the formulation of divisional policies, guidelines, and standards to ensure adherence, equity, and the implementation of best practices by benchmarking against other states and localities.
- Drives policy trends and the engagement of the Office of Child Care Advisory Council and other key stakeholder groups prior to bringing regulatory change forward.
- Serves as a strategic leader to support the implementation of MSDE Strategic Plan and Blueprint for Maryland’s Future strategies.
- Supports strategies to drive toward equitable outcomes for children in the early years and grades in a mixed-delivery system from pre-natal through age five, in partnership with the Assistant State Superintendent.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s
Degree.
EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of
related experience educational supervision and management that includes
coordinating or administering early childhood education and child care
programs, process improvement, early childhood policy and strategy. Note: Additional experience can be substituted year for year for the required
education.
Notes:
- Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree or the equivalent of 36 credit hours of post-baccalaureate course work in Education, Educational Supervision/Administration, Early Childhood Education or related area for two years of the required experience directly related to the position.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preference will be given to
applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Please
include clear and specific information on your application regarding your
qualifications.
- Knowledge and experience with early childhood content, and programs including imparting the importance of early learning programs.
- Knowledge of standards, trends, regulations, policies, and effective instruction and assessment in Early Childhood Education Programs
- Knowledge of best-in-class early childhood education trends, regulations, policies, and issues affecting education systems in Maryland and nationally.
- Knowledge of Standards and/or State and national standards, trends, regulations, policies, and issues affecting Early Childhood education.
- Skill in curriculum resource development and the use of project management and process improvement tools to monitor progress toward goals.
- Skill in implementing, monitoring, and evaluating education programs.
- Skill collaborating with diverse communities and organizations for the purpose of analyzing programs and strategies.
- Skill in developing and delivering professional development programs.
- Skill in providing in managing multiple tasks and time sensitive deadlines.
- Ability to interpret and apply learning standards, policies, and regulations.
- Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks.
- Ability to work as a team member and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants
must consent to State and FBI (CJIS) background check as a routine procedure
for all employees.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please make
sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that
you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning
your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Successful
candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified.
The resulting list of qualified candidates will be in effect for at least one
year.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
Applicants
must complete the MD State Government online application for employment and submit
their professional resume. The application and resume must clearly
demonstrate that the applicant satisfies the minimum qualifications for the
position. Applications must be complete to be considered including all related
job duties, even if those are also listed on an attached resume. Additional
required materials may be uploaded with the online application, submitted to
the fax number, or mailed to the address listed.
If you are
unable to apply online, paper applications can be obtained from the link below
and be faxed to 410-333-8950 or mailed to MSDE Office of Human Resources, 200
W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. If there is a supplemental
questionnaire, this must be completed and sent in with your paper application.
Postmarks will not be accepted.
Inquiries
can be made to 410-767-0019, TDD 410-333-3045. Appropriate accommodations can
be made for individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty with your
user account or have general questions about this online application system,
please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and
Examination Division at 410-767-4850. TTY Users: Call via Maryland Relay.
Proof of
eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and
Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for
this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.
As an equal
opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and
promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. Individuals
with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank
our Veterans for their service to our country.
All application
materials must be received in our office by the Closing Date.
Appropriate accommodations
for individuals with disabilities are available upon request.