Chief of Staff

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description
- Chief of Staff (260005NZ)

Job Description

Chief of Staff - ( 260005NZ )

Description

The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent executive branch agency with oversight and ombudsperson responsibilities, established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2008. The OCA's mission is to ensure that children receive appropriate, timely, and quality state services, with a particular focus on ensuring that the Commonwealth's most vulnerable and at-risk children can thrive. Through collaboration with public and private stakeholders, the OCA identifies gaps in state services and recommends improvements in policy, practice, regulation and/or law.

The OCA also serves as a resource for families who are receiving, or are eligible to receive, services from the Commonwealth. Office of the Child Advocate | Mass.gov

The Chief of Staff serves as an advisor and strategic partner to the Child Advocate, ensuring the effective execution of the Child Advocate’s priorities and the efficient operation of the Office. Under the direction of the Child Advocate, the Chief of Staff manages the Child Advocate’s schedule and executive review processes, coordinates across the senior leadership team, and enables the Child Advocate to focus on high-value leadership, policy, and external engagement.

The Chief of Staff also leads key internal management functions, coordinates cross-functional initiatives, strengthens communication across the agency, and ensures strategic priorities are translated into actionable work.

has a track record of supporting executive leadership at a state or local government or non-profit agency. While you do not need to be a subject matter expert, familiarity with the Massachusetts child and family policy landscape is preferred. You operate independently at a high level and can triage and manage multiple time-sensitive priorities at once, exercising sound judgement and discretion regarding highly sensitive, confidential, and politically complex matters.

You can anticipate the needs of an executive, and support development and improvement of operational and decision-making processes. You think strategically and anticipate how change management will impact agency operations. You are detail-oriented and work collaboratively on projects with peers, managers, and OCA leadership to advance projects. Most of all, you have a passion for improving the lives of the children and youth of the Commonwealth and want to be part of an innovative, growing team of public servants who share that passion.

The OCA is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive work community that is free of all forms of discrimination. The OCA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis under Massachusetts law.

The OCA encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions, including candidates who have personal and/or professional history with the child protective and/or juvenile justice systems.

• Supports the Child Advocate in managing priorities, commitments, and organizational objectives.
• Manages the Child Advocate’s calendar to align meetings, events, and engagements with agency priorities and long-term objectives.
• In partnership with agency subject matter experts and project leads, develops comprehensive briefing materials for meetings, public events, and other engagements, ensuring the Child Advocate is fully prepared with relevant information, key messages, and decision points.
• Attends meetings and events as assigned, either with the Child Advocate or as a designee, ensuring relevant information and key decisions are communicated effectively throughout the organization and following up on action items as needed.
• Anticipates issues requiring the Child Advocate’s attention and proactively identifies opportunities to improve decision-making, coordination, and operational…