Academic Counselor (Campus Title Retention Coach)

Job Description:

General Statement of Duties:

As part of the TRIO SSS Programs team, this staff member will contribute to program and recruitment goals, create and maintain strong, ongoing supportive connections with program participants and will provide general academic advising, including course selection and registration counseling to students.

Responsibilities:

• Participate in college onboarding to recruit program participants as per grant guidelines;
• Contribute to written/electronic materials to facilitate recruitment;
• Participate in tabling, presentations and other program activities for accepted students and families;
• Work with program staff to track student participation in program and general activities;
• Practice pro-active/intrusive advising to support student success;
• Communicate regularly with program participants through a variety of communication channels;
• Collaboratively plan and participate in cultural, recreational, and social activities for SSS students;
• Maintain up to date advising skills through trainings, catalog review and coordination with advising center staff;
• Offer general career and transfer advising to students;
• Coordinate with transfer counselor to plan for plan for smooth transfer to four-year schools;
• Assist students with general questions about financing college and refer for financial aid assistance when appropriate;
• Provide guidance around study skills, note taking, time management, test taking etc. to help students succeed academically;
• Work with tutors, and other program staff to provide needed services;
• Develop and deliver seminars around academic and personal development topics;
• Plan and teach an FYE class to program participants;
• Assist students with documented disabilities with connecting with the disabilities office and coordinating accommodations;
• Monitor registration status, financial aid paperwork submission, academic and SAP warnings and issues and outreach to students;
• Process program applications and related student communication;
• Record and review student contact records in the program electronic database;
• Serve on college committees and task-forces as assigned
• Other duties as assigned.

For Complete Union Specifications please click HERE

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology or closely related field;
• Three (3) years experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience providing transfer and academic counseling to low-income, first-generation, and academically disadvantaged college students, preferably in a TRIO/Student Support Services program;
• Strong interpersonal skills, including sensitivity to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds;
• Experience in working with students with disabilities highly desirable;
• Strong computer/technology skills preferred.

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:

Campus Title: Retention Coach
Salary: $69,821.00-$119.012.00

**** 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: 5
Employee Status: Full Time Grant Funded - Grant End Date 8/31/2026
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.

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: May 2025

Priority will be given to applications received prior to April 25, 2025.

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).