Executive Assistant to the DCF Commissioner

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a highly skilled professional to serve as the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner. This critical role requires a seasoned administrative expert with exceptional judgment, strong executive presence, and a demonstrated ability to provide high-level support in a complex, challenging, fast-paced environment.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Staff, the Executive Assistant provides direct support to the Office of the Commissioner. This role requires someone who is proactive, detail-oriented, technologically adept, and equally effective working independently or as part of a team. The successful candidate will bring advanced organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to handle competing priorities and a demanding executive calendar with precision and professionalism.

As an integral member of the Commissioner’s Office, the Executive Assistant serves as a central point of coordination and communication for the Executive Team as well as internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day operations of the office. They must exercise sound discretion and maintain strict confidentiality while handling highly sensitive and time-critical matters; and approach all interactions with care, tact, and empathy.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Carrying out the daily administrative operations for the Commissioner’s Office, and ensuring support services are run efficiently and effectively to enable the Commissioner to accomplish their goals and objectives

• Managing the Commissioner’s calendar with accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness to shifting priorities and acting as their gatekeeper, making appropriate determinations and receiving/screening visitors and callers

• Coordinating internal and external meetings, appointments, speaking engagements, and travel arrangements

• Drafting internal and external communications specific to the Commissioner’s office including correspondence and newsletters, and overseeing the processing flow of incoming correspondence, ensuring all matters are addressed in a timely and efficient manner

• Supporting the coordination of office budget activities, including processing invoices, ordering supplies, and managing travel and expense reimbursements

• Assisting with recruitment and staffing activities

• Assisting with maintaining, updating, and organizing shared files and records on SharePoint and other platforms

• Maintaining collaborative working relationships with both internal and external partners

• Researching and tracking a wide range of internal and external confidential matters for the Commissioner

• Reviewing and analyzing systems and processes to streamline operations

• Staying informed of the rapidly changing child welfare system environment to effectively support DCF as it advances its mission to serve the Commonwealth's children and families and exercise its state child welfare authority

• Working with all Commissioner’s Office staff to ensure key deadlines are met; supporting ad hoc projects, events, and interdepartmental initiatives; and performing additional duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief of Staff

Preferred qualifications include:

• A minimum of five years of experience as an Executive Assistant, with demonstrated experience supporting senior executives in a dynamic, high-pressure environment

• Thoroughness, independence and excellent written and oral communication skills

• Ability to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information

• Strong organizational skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Teams. Experience using Canva, Asana, and Constant Contact is desirable

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:

Pre-Hire 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 visit

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.

Qualifications

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

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full time, or equivalent part-time, professional, administrative or managerial experience in business administration, business management or public administration the major duties of which involved program management, program administration, program coordination, program planning and/or program analysis, 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 or public administration may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the-required experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in business administration, business management or public administration may be substituted for the required experience.*

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

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

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.

Official Title : Program Coordinator II

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Boston-1 Ashburton Place

Job : Administrative Services

Agency : Department of Children & Families

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Day

Job Posting : Mar 5, 2026, 8:34:53 AM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 72,172.36 - 104,315.38 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Jae Beal ([email protected]) - 8572837581

Bargaining Unit : 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.

Confidential : Yes

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes