Community Outreach Counselor

About Mount Wachusett Community College:

Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is a highly regarded educational institution located in Gardner, Massachusetts and accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Established in 1963, MWCC serves the educational needs of the communities of North Central Massachusetts with innovative undergraduate education, early college programs, workforce development, personal enrichment, and community service. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence, MWCC provides a supportive environment for individuals to pursue their educational goals, enhance professional skills, and seek personal growth. As a beacon of opportunity, Mount Wachusett Community College empowers individuals from all walks of life, fostering their development and transformation.

We hope you will consider applying for one of our open positions, and discover all that Mount Wachusett Community College and the North Central Massachusetts region have to offer.

http://mwcc.edu/about-mwcc/

Mount Wachusett Community College embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion as core values and makes it our mission to proactively focus on improving racial equity in our college community. We value equity-minded individuals with commitment to serve student learners from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we strongly encourage applicants who share our commitment and who understand the benefits of culturally relevant practices needed in an educational environment.

Job Description:

General Statement of Duties:

Join a diverse and dynamic team of professionals who are dedicated to supporting youth from our region in exploring and pursing opportunities to push boundaries, break glass ceilings and exceed expectations. We are looking for someone who truly believes that ALL students are able to succeed in higher education and to thrive in our communities. The Shannon Grant, awarded to MWCC through the Tri-City Anti-Gang Partnership, allows us to serve up to 30 high school seniors and first-year college students from Fitchburg, Gardner and Leominster, who experience challenges in their daily lives such as poverty, justice system involvement, children of prisoners, first-generation college, gang involvement and other forces that frequently result in ending the educational experience at the high school level. This person will work with high school seniors in the spring as they prepare to graduate and make next steps into education and the workforce, providing continued supports over the summer through practical and academic opportunities, then into the first year in college, working to ensure that each student is connected to support services as appropriate within the college. The Advisor will work to understand each unique student, their skills, interests and passions, aligning practical experiences and educational programming alongside each unique student. The advisor will take a holistic approach to providing support services and guidance to students, connecting students and families to appropriate services within the college community as well as within the greater community.

Responsibilities:

• Provide counseling, guidance and general support for two cohorts of students, Cohort A , up to 15 identified high school students in the spring of their senior year transitioning into their first year in college to provide the supports necessary to ensure successful high school graduation, reduction of summer melt, and connection with appropriate services and programs to support continued enrollment in college after their first semester and Cohort B, Provide counseling, guidance and general support for up to 15 current students in their first year of college to provide the supports necessary to ensure successful completion of their first year and enter into their second year. No more than up to 30 students enrolled in the program.

• Work collaboratively with faculty and retention counselors to develop and implement strategies for keeping at-risk students in class

• Work collaboratively with students and their families to understand the benefits of higher education, to develop individual college and career plans, and to support the enrollment and matriculation process

• Provide students with scholarship information and assist in the preparation of scholarship packages

• Provide support for students experiencing family, personal, or economic crisis, which may impact school performance; connect students and families with community organizations and supports as appropriate

• Assist students and families in understanding academic processes, steps and deadlines, and assist students in completing forms as necessary

• Monitor and review academic and personal progress to evaluate and adjust progress toward individual goals

• Coordinate and facilitate workshops for students and/or families on student success strategies, such as: time management, study skills, goal setting, learning styles, career planning and communication skills

• Serve as a liaison with a variety of agencies in the community to identify summer volunteer and work experiences for youth, explain program requirements and address individual student progress or needs; and/or connect youth with summer coursework opportunities

• Coordinate activities to connect students with available community services, campus supports and employment resources

• Maintain an active case file on each participating student; maintain accurate case notes and documentation, and submit required paperwork and reporting

• Other duties as assigned

For Complete Union Specifications please click HERE

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education or closely related field

• Minimum two (2) years experience and/or training involving career and enrollment counseling

• Or, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual/bicultural

Equivalency Statement

Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Additional Information:

Salary: $51,653.00 Grant Limitations

(PSM) Actual Salary determined by education, experience, and any applicable grant limitations per the collective bargaining agreement. Applicants should be aware it is unlikely the salary will be at or near the top of the range.

Grade: 3

Employee Status: Full Time Grant Funded - Grant End 12/2024

Benefits: Yes

Hours per Week: 37.5

Number of Weeks: 52

Mount Wachusett Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.

Application Instructions:

Candidates for employment should be aware that although the COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement Policy is no longer in effect, all Community College students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to be up to date with vaccination against COVID-19. For additional information related to the status of the COVID19 Vaccination Requirement Policy, please visit: https://mwcc.edu/covid/

The following documents are required:

1.Resume

2.Cover Letter

Anticipated Effective Date: February 2024

Priority will be given to applications received prior to February 20, 2024

Applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.

Candidates may be subject to employment screening to include both a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) request and a Sexual Offender Registry Information (SORI).