Project Coordinator, Equity Programming and Community Outreach (EPCO)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Project Coordinator(s) under the direction of the Director of Equity Programming and Community Outreach will support equity programming and outreach initiatives across the Commission. In addition, this role provides high-level support on a wide variety of projects and tasks including managing and preparing for large-scale meetings, event planning, assisting with presentation development, analysis of data, and report preparation for the Commission. The ideal candidate is highly self-motivated, detail-oriented, and exercises good judgment in a variety of situations with the ability to handle a range of tasks under pressure in a dynamic environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Assist with the management of the Social Equity Program and the maintenance of the Talent LMS;
• Identify and research speaking and presentation opportunities for Commissioners and public-facing staff that meet the agency's commitment to public education and an equitable, safe, and accessible industry;
• Assist in outreach efforts to promote the inclusion of communities disproportionately harmed by marijuana arrests and incarceration in the legal cannabis industry, and to engage with diverse populations, people of color, particularly Black, African American, Latinx, and Indigenous people, women, veterans, and farmers;
• Liaise with program managers, and both internal and external stakeholders to define project requirements, scopes, and objectives that align with organizational goals
• Coordinate internal and external resources, ensuring that projects remain within scope, schedule, and budget
• Analyze project progress and, when necessary, adapt scope or timeline to achieve optimal results
• Ensure that all aspects of a project are organized and in conformance with the timeline and deliverables requirement
• Develop and maintain a project performance database that tracks overall progress and achievement of milestones
• Liaise with Social Equity Program applicants, participants, and vendors;
• Serve as a point of communication between internal teams and external resources
• Deepen partnerships with outside resources, including third-party vendors and researchers
• Collaborate with other staff to support the planning and logistics of large events such as public meetings and conferences with internal and external stakeholders;
• Assess, track, and traffic inbound requests for public speaking engagements;
• Support Commissioners and staff in departments across the Commission with outreach and projects in but not limited to: activities in the Research, Communications, Equity Programs, and Government Affairs departments and Commissioner speaking engagements;
• Develop or assist with developing fact sheets, posters, brochures, PowerPoint presentations and other materials for Commission presentations;
• Arrange and assist committees, advisory groups, and other meetings of groups that involve a diverse range of interests and stakeholders;
• Write and produce material for the Commission's website regarding department activities;
• Assist staff at community meetings, networking events, and workforce forums as requested;
• Assist in the collection and management of information to analyze data trends; and
• Administrative support work as needed, and all other duties as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Maintain the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct and support the Commission's goals for a diverse and culturally aware workforce;
• Ability to travel to and work in our Worcester headquarters; and
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and spend approximately 25% of the time out of the office, traveling throughout the state.

Qualifications:
SKILLS AND BACKGROUND
• Excellent problem solver and utility player;
• Exceptional character and professionalism;
• Ability to work independently in a rapidly changing environment;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills and track record of relationship building;
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to contribute actively to a work environment that embraces diversity;
• Ability to build constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, integrity, cooperation, and mutual regard;
• Ability to accept personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and for meeting expectations; and
• Ability to seek opportunities to resolve problems, achieve goals, or otherwise advance the Commission's mission.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in relevant field or
• Professional certification such as PMP (Project Management Professional)
• Minimum of Three or more years of experience in project coordination in a high-level administrative position supporting multiple departments, projects, or programs;
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills
• Strong administrative and organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office with advanced knowledge of PowerPoint, Excel, and similar project

PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in coordinating projects independently, within a team environment, and with external stakeholders
• Proven success in a professional setting, working with all levels of management
• Stakeholder management and communication
• Project scheduling and timeline management
• Documentation and reporting skills
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills
• Adaptability, and flexibility

Benefits Package:

The Commission is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position classification, hours worked per week and other variables. Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

This position is non-civil service. This position is an exempt position.

The overall benefits available include: paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance, and optional pre-tax Health Savings Account plans.

In addition, the Commission provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long-term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission and pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.

The Commission employees also participate in the Commonwealth's State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from State service. Follow this link for additional retirement information: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board-of-retire/ .

Commitment to Diversity:

The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Notice of Required Background Check - Including Tax Compliance:

The Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.

Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such background check is not initiated until:

1. A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview, and
2. The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.

This background check includes a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, Federal IRS and Department of Revenue state tax compliance on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted in the course of completing a full background and qualification check.

Those candidates invited to interview will be contacted by the Commission. Unfortunately, due to the anticipated high volume of applicants for this vacancy, we are unable to provide status updates to specific individuals.