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

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education or closely related field
• Minimum two (2) years experience and/or training involving career counseling, academic advising, 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.

Salary: 30.03 per hour 
Employee Status: Part Time Grant Funded  Grant End Date: 12/31/23
Benefits: No
Hours per Week: 18
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.

About Mount Wachusett Community College

We are an innovative institution for teaching and learning excellence. Students and faculty are at the center of everything we do. If you are looking for the opportunity to come to work every day and help students achieve their dreams, Mount Wachusett Community College is the place for you. Our faculty, staff, and administration forge the direction of the college together - from governance to defining our mission. We understand that for our institution to remain relevant we must continually examine and refine the ways we serve our students. We strive to create an environment where students, faculty and staff feel comfortable and where new ideas and perspectives are encouraged and rewarded. We respect and honor our differences and make them work toward the advantage of all. The college is committed to attracting the best faculty and staff for our students, regardless of race, color, religious creed, age, physical or mental disability, sex, national origin or ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or veteran status. About the College Mount Wachusett Community College is an accredited, public two-year institution serving 29 cities and towns in North Central ...Massachusetts. The picturesque269-acre main campus is located in Gardner, Massachusetts; satellite sites are located in Leominster, Fitchburg, and Devens. The college offers over 45 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as adult basic education and high school equivalency programs, education and training for business and industry, and noncredit professional and personal enrichment programs. MWCC is on the forefront of state and national civic engagement and service learning initiatives and is nationally recognized as a veteran- friendly school. MWCC is in the process of constructing a $42 million science and technology building to support growing STEM programs. The college community enjoys many resources including the East Wing Art Gallery; the 555-seat Theatre at the Mount which hosts a variety of productions annually; the Fitness and Wellness Center, which offers a wide assortment of fitness classes, exercise equipment and an Olympic-size swimming pool; a complete library with access to thousands of on-line publications and data bases, as well as electronic classrooms. In addition, through its membership in the CWMARS regional library system, access is available to all other public and academic libraries in the region. Our Green Commitment In addition, if sustainability is important to you, Mount Wachusett Community College offers the chance to work at one of the greenest colleges in the nation. We are the largest greenhouse gas reducer of any Massachusetts state college, university, or agency, as recognized by the 2011 Leading By Example Award from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have also been nationally recognized with a Climate Leadership Award from Second Nature, the supporting organization of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment, and several other organizations. Our Gardner campus features two 1.65 MW Vestas V82 wind turbines that are propelling us to near-carbon neutrality for campus operations. With the college's biomass and solar technologies incorporated into the mix, coupled with significant efficiency improvements, MWCC generates nearly all of its energy on-site to operate as a near-zero net energy campus. About our benefitsOur full-time faculty and staff enjoy a liberal benefits package, including generous retirement plans, eleven health insurance options, dental care, life insurance and long-term disability insurance. In addition, we offer a tuition remission program which provides education benefits at Massachusetts state colleges, community colleges, and University of Massachusetts Colleges for full-time employees, their spouses and dependent children. Education and lifelong learning are valued here. Additionally, sabbatical opportunities and other professional development opportunities are possible. About the regionMount Wachusett Community College is located a few hours from the stunning beaches of the Cape Cod National Seashore, an hour's drive from the cultural attractions and big city lights of Boston, and forty-minutes from the county seat of Worcester, with museums, a thriving restaurant scene, and excellent amenities. A wide variety of state and national parks, including the Appalachian Trail, the White Mountains, the Berkshires and the Green Mountains are all a day-trip away. The best that New England has to offer is here: quaint villages, bustling cities, and beautiful vistas. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Worcester Art Museum and the Fitchburg Art Museum offer incredible collections. There are opportunities for great shopping in area cities, towns, and nearby outlet malls. North Central Massachusetts is home to excellent public, charter and private schools as well as an affordable lifestyle. Hiking, biking, and walking trails are spread throughout the region as well, for those seeking to maintain an active outdoor lifestyle. 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.

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Connections working at Mount Wachusett Community College