General Statement of Duties: 

     The GEAR UP Recruitment Counselor position is funded through a federal US Department of Education grant for GEAR UP, from October 2025 through September 2032, and will be located within the Fitchburg Public Schools. This position will work with students in the graduating classes of 2031 & 2032 in Fitchburg Public Schools in an effort to support early awareness and readiness for higher education for students in those classes. The counselor will work with students, the public schools and community partners to increase the postsecondary understanding, expectations and readiness of students; improve high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates; and, raise the knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation and financing among students and families.

Responsibilities:

• Recruitment of middle/high school students for specific academic support programs (i.e. ? plans, schedules, and/or conducts on-campus and off-campus recruitment events such as career information sessions, career fairs, panels, guest speakers, business expositions, open houses, workshops, high/middle school meetings, and campus tours; coordinates student information events and workshops; coordinates and facilitates after school clubs and activities; motivates, plans, develops, and organizes community outreach programs; identifies new community partners; outreach to GEAR UP-eligible students and parents; travels to off-site locations, including college tours distributes promotional material; facilitates setup and breakdown of events).
• Assists in meeting monthly and yearly objectives, and well as developing strategies for recruitment of students (i.e. ? markets and promotes GEAR UP; assists in developing retention tactics; assists in developing/implementing new programs, services, and activities; assists in coordinating/implementing joint ventures between the college and community groups by hosting intercultural events, and organizing Service Learning opportunities; assists in designing/developing recruitment brochures/materials; researches successful recruitment strategies of other GEAR UP programs; assists in developing/implementing systems to manage/measure the effectiveness of recruitment activity).
• Performs administrative tasks associated with department activities (i.e. ? collects, organizes, and inputs data; assists in compiling/mailing direct mail projects; prepares rosters, attendance lists, newsletters, spreadsheets, reports, forms, and general correspondence; receives or refers to statistical data, enrollment lists, curriculum sheets, college catalogs, student schedules, student records, financial aid forms, handbooks, policies, procedures, and reference material; operates a computer and utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, or other software programs).
• Interacts with various agencies/individuals (i.e. ? attends meetings/events, serves on committees, and makes presentations; establishes/maintains liaisons with various student populations; maintains contact with high school guidance counselors; refers students to other offices/agencies as appropriate; communicates with other departments, faculty members, students, school officials, career/vocational counselors, community groups, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals to coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; responds to complaints, researches problems, and initiates problem resolution).
• Maintains professional knowledge in applicable areas (i.e. ? maintains a working knowledge of assigned area; maintains current knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local laws/regulations; researches new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; participates in professional organizations; attends workshops and training sessions).
• Operates a motor vehicle to conduct work activities.
• Coordinates activities of assigned work study students.
• Performs miscellaneous tasks (i.e. ? answers telephones, greets visitors, provides information, and distributes brochures; schedules appointments with prospective students; enters applicant data into computer; assists in maintaining office equipment).
• Performs related duties as directed.

For Complete Union Specifications please click HERE

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Sociology, Liberal Arts, or closely related field;
• Two (2) years experience and/or training involving public education, college admissions, academic advisement, or customer service; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• CORI/SORI check and district fingerprinting required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Bilingual Spanish
•  Ability to interact with diverse constituencies including school personnel, agencies, higher education,  parents/guardians and other civic and community organizations.

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: $ 56,985.00 Grant Limitations

 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 Date 9/2032
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, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes 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 Sex-Based Harassment. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, or retaliation shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action Officer 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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