Commonwealth Secretariat Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) serves as the primary advocate for veterans, active service members, and their families across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. EOVS is committed to ensuring that veterans and their families have awareness of and access to the benefits, services, and support they have earned, and that they are treated with dignity, honor, and respect. 

Through its oversight of veterans' programs, state-operated Veterans' Homes, Memorial Cemeteries, outreach initiatives, and constituent services, EOVS works to improve the lives of those who have served and their loved ones. 

Please learn more about us here: Executive Office of Veterans Services

Job Opening: 

The Executive Office of Veterans Services is seeking a qualified HR Leader for the role of Secretariat Human Resources Officer (SHRO).

The Secretariat Human Resources Officer (SHRO) serves as the senior human resources leader for the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS), responsible for establishing the overall HR strategy, policy framework, and governance model that supports the Secretariat's mission and operational needs.

EOVS operates within a complex environment that includes administrative functions and 24/7 residential care services at the Massachusetts Veterans Homes in Holyoke and Chelsea, with a highly unionized workforce and significant regulatory requirements.

Reporting to the Assistant Secretary of Administration and Finance, the SHRO provides strategic direction and executive-level guidance on all human resources matters, ensuring alignment with Commonwealth policies, Human Resources Division (HRD) standards, and Comptroller (CTR) requirements. The SHRO partners with executive leadership to align workforce planning, organizational design, and HR priorities with agency goals.

The SHRO ensures that these initiatives create an employee focused, high performance culture empathizing quality, productivity, and goal attainment through training and development. This role is crucial in fostering a workplace that upholds dignity, honor, and respect, reflecting the values necessary to support the best possible health care and support services for our veterans.

This role establishes HR policy and strategic priorities while delegating operational execution to the Deputy SHRO and HR team. The SHRO collaborates with Labor Relations, Legal, and other functional partners to ensure coordinated and compliant handling of employee and labor matters, without direct operational management of those functions.

Duties & Responsibilities: 

• Establish and oversee the Secretariat's HR strategy, priorities, and operations
• Ensure alignment of HR initiatives with EOVS mission, workforce needs, and regulatory requirements
• Define HR governance, policies, and standards for consistent application across all EOVS operations
• Identify priorities to inform HR department budget decisions, as delegated to the Deputy SHRO or other designee, in coordination with the Chief Financial Officer
• Serve as principal representative to the Human Resources Division.
• Serve as primary HR advisor to the Secretary, Chief of Staff, Assistant Secretary of Administration and Finance, and executive leadership team
• Develop and implement guidance on workforce strategy, organizational design, and change management
• Advise on risk, compliance, and workforce implications of operational decisions
• Develop and maintain HR policies in alignment with HRD, legal, and regulatory requirements
• Establish workforce planning strategies to address staffing, retention, and succession needs
• Provide recommendations on organizational structure and design decisions across EOVS
• Align workforce strategies with budgetary and operational constraints
• Collaborate with Labor Relations, Legal, and executive leadership to align on labor strategy and priorities
• Identify labor-related risks, trends, and workforce impacts
• Provide oversight of HR operations through the Deputy SHRO and HR leadership team
• Establish expectations, priorities, and performance standards for HR service delivery
• Monitor operational effectiveness, including hiring, payroll coordination, performance management, and employee services
• Ensure alignment of payroll practices with CTR policies and internal controls
• Oversee workforce-related cost drivers, including overtime, leave usage, and staffing levels; partner with Finance to ensure accurate and compliant workforce management and budgeting
• Utilize HR data and workforce metrics to inform strategic decision-making
• Establish reporting frameworks to monitor workforce trends, risks, and performance
• Provide executive-level reporting and insights to leadership
• Other duties, as assigned. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience working across multiple facets of Human Resources including talent acquisition, employee and labor relations, benefits, payroll, classification/compensation, workforce development and organizational engagement
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of Human Resources and Labor Relations Management
• Familiarity with classification/compensation, change management, organization design, performance management, problem solving, coaching and employee engagement.
• Familiarity with military culture and veteran hiring initiatives
• Conversant with The Commonwealth's Collective Bargaining Laws and regulations applicable to Collective Bargaining
• Demonstrated ability to interact constructively with senior and mid-level management, and union representatives
• Awareness of leading-edge employee relations practices, trends, and information
• High level of self-motivation/accountability, bringing enthusiasm and energy to team and tasks
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills with the ability to partner with and influence leaders across all levels of an organization
• Ability to handle confidential information with an understanding of diversity and the importance of fostering an open and respectful work environment
• Skilled in leading initiatives ranging from complex to highly complex where the impact is significant in supporting the needs of the organization
• Demonstrated ability and understanding to fully utilize HRIS systems including personnel (HRCMS), recruitment (ATS), and training (LMS) applications
• Ability to develop long-range plans and programs and evaluate work performance

Commonwealth Employee Benefits at a Glance:

• Health and Wellness Resources

• Financial Resources

• Work-Life Resources

• Career Development Resources

For more details, please see Comprehensive Benefits section below!

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

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 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!

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.