Public Service Coordinator

General Summary

The Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management in the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston is dedicated to improving efficiency, effectiveness, governance, and accountability at all levels of government, with a particular focus on local and state government. Since its establishment at UMass Boston in 2008, the Center has provided a comprehensive set of services to hundreds of the Commonwealth's cities, towns, school districts, and state agencies, as well as to a growing number of municipalities in other states.

The Center's work is guided by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 75, Section 45, which provides the Center's formal mission.

Reporting to a Public Services Manager, the Public Services Coordinator will coordinate work on projects in one or more of the practice areas within the Center. This includes client relations; data gathering and analysis; report writing and editing; and working with assigned teams or independently based on project needs, including research, grant‑writing, or other assignments as workload demands.

• Work directly with a portfolio of municipalities and other Center clients to provide professional and technical assistance.
• Coordinate project logistics, resources, and workflow.
• Provide meeting facilitation and planning.
• Engage in data gathering and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness, efficiency, performance, or accountability of governmental agencies and/or programs through data analysis, interviews, best‑practice research, and other activities.
• Use research and analysis to draft recommendations and documents.
• Edit reports and perform quality control of deliverables.
• Collaborate with Collins Center staff on internal Center‑wide initiatives.
• Coordinate with the Director of Operations to complete contract management and invoicing processes.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Affairs, City and/or Regional Planning, Business Administration, or a related field and a minimum of two to four (2‑4) years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Relevant experience includes managing complex projects involving multiple parties; working with public sector entities on complex projects; analyzing data and producing reports for public entities.

A high degree of proficiency with standard software packages, including Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office tools, is required. Ability to travel across the Commonwealth and work flexible hours, including evenings, is required.

• Consulting experience.
• Subject matter expertise in public sector service delivery areas (e.g., public safety, economic development, finance, public works, education).

• Familiarity with government operational, budgetary, legal, and political environments.
• Ability to conceptualize, organize, and negotiate project tasks and direct collaborators from outside the institution.
• Ability to present information and findings clearly to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to foster a positive and cooperative workplace; work with a diverse workforce.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to resolve difficult interpersonal and inter‑organizational conflicts.
• Ability to negotiate complex social and political environments, such as partnerships with public entities.
• Ability to adapt and customize work plans to ensure progress.
• Problem‑solving, goal setting, and planning skills for managing and implementing deliverables.
• Ability to work independently with multiple clients and/or on multiple projects.
• Meeting facilitation skills with diverse stakeholders on complex topics.
• Strong oral and written communication, problem‑solving, collaboration, facilitation, negotiation, and project coordination skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and team‑building skills.
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter,…