Policy Development Jobs in Boston, MA (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a mission-driven, dedicated individual with public policy, research, and analysis experience to fill the role of Policy Management Analyst. As part of these duties, the selected candidate will be act as a liaison among DCF field offices and regional offices to support policy implementation and address implementation challenges and needs. This position will analyze DCF management and data reports to identify policy and practice trends, challenges, opportunities, and successes. Reporting directly to the Director of Policy and Practice, the selected candidate will support and contribute to the Department's policy development and implementation initiatives through research, data analysis, development of written policies and procedures and developing trainings on relevant topics. 

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. The selected candidate will support this mission by evaluating and assessing existing and newly proposed policies and suggest changes to improve practice.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all Inclusive):

- Write, edit, and format policies, practice guidance, and training materials, including the development of visual design and graphics. Research other state policies and practices to inform and update DCF policies, practices, and procedures. 

- Align DCF policies and practices with state and federal laws and regulations. - Develop policy training curriculum and deliver trainings to DCF social workers, supervisors, managers, and external stakeholders. 

- Work closely with information technology staff to design/update IT systems and data tracking to reflect policy changes. 

- Identify policy & practice issues/challenges and suggest/develop responses. 

- Work with DCF legal team to ensure alignment of DCF policies and practices with state and federal laws and regulations. 

- Travel to meetings and to DCF Area and Regional Offices, to provide support in the consistent implementation of policy and case practice.

Required Qualifications: 

- Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities. 

- Knowledge of the principles and practices of human resource management including behavioral techniques, planning, forecasting, organizational development, and work simplification methods. 

- Demonstrated experience in the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs and tables, and general report writing. 

- Proficiency in the analysis and determination of the applicability of data, draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations. 

- Experience in determining the proper format and procedure for assembling items of information, the preparation and use charts, graphs and tables, the ability maintain accurate records and exercise discretion of confidential information. 

- Effective precise communicator both orally and written, ability to establish a rapport, promote harmonious working relationships and deal tactfully with all stakeholders. 

- Strong ability to adjust to varying or changing situations, meet emergency or changing program requirements, coordinate the efforts of Team members to meet work objectives and exercise sound judgement.

Preferred Qualifications: 

- Experience writing, editing, and formatting policy or guidance. 

- Experience designing and delivering training. 

- Knowledge of child welfare laws, regulations, and national best practices. 

- Strong written and oral communication skills, including an ability to communicate across all levels of staff. 

- Familiarity with child welfare SACWIS systems. 

- Experience working in child welfare system or relevant human services field. 

- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF's vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. 

Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal 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 visithttp://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.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:  Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in work simplification, management analysis, program analysis, methods analysis, economic analysis, fiscal analysis, financial analysis, budget analysis, program administration, or program management 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, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*

II.  A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, budget management, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management may be substituted for a maximum of three years of the required experience. *

III.  A Bachelor's degree or higher degree with a major other than in business administration, business management, public administration, industrial engineering or industrial management 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. 

NOTE:  Educational substitutions will be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required 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.

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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.