Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Posted: 22-Nov-22
Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 156114
Title: Academic Counselor
Unit: MCCC Professional Staff - Grade 05
Department: Student Affairs - Academic and Transfer Advising
Reports To: Assistant Dean, Pathways and Academic Advising
Date: November 21, 2022
General Summary:. The Academic Counselor is a creative and knowledgeable professional who works collaboratively with other staff in the Academic, Career and Transfer Center to provide high quality developmental academic advising services with prospective and enrolled students from diverse backgrounds. This counselor will actively contribute to the growth, development and activities of the Academic, Career and Transfer Counseling department and as part of larger college community in supporting student success, retention and college completion initiatives. They will work with students to help them develop educational plans that are consistent with their individual needs, abilities and goals. They will provide information about educational options, admission to selective programs, major and course selection, financial aid information, graduation requirements, transfer to baccalaureate degree programs, and college policies and procedures. Academic counselors will also assist students with all aspects of the transfer process. This position will work in close collaboration with staff from across the college, including: Admissions, Financial Aid, Enrollment Communications, Academic and Student Affairs program coordinators, and appropriate Directors and Deans
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide high quality, developmental and appreciative academic advising services based on the NACADA core values and concepts
- Provide developmental advising to help students assess their skills, interests and aptitudes; identify realistic career goals; and develop an educational plan; help students become increasingly capable of making informed educational and professional decisions
- Provide information about educational options, admission to selective programs, major and course selection, financial aid information, graduation requirements, transfer to baccalaureate / graduate degree programs, and college policies and procedures.
- Participate in group and individual Advising/Registration Sessions, individual academic advising appointments, and other departmental initiatives.
- Outreach to students who may be experiencing academic difficulty as determined by mid-term standing, early alert systems, class withdrawals or referrals.
- Provide support for students at recruitment, career and transfer activities including information sessions, open houses, workshops and on-campus events for prospective and current students, some of which may occur in the evening or on weekends.
- Perform duties in accordance with policies and procedures related to work with special populations, including but not limited to, early college, dual enrollment, specialty transfer programs, and Veteran / Military Connected students.
- Engage in outreach and communication efforts with students to support college-wide student success, retention and completion efforts.
- Perform other related duties as required
Job Requirements:
- Master's degree in education, counseling, or closely related field with three (3) years of experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted for the experience and education listed above
- Demonstrated knowledge of developmental, holistic, proactive, and appreciative advising approaches.
- Demonstrated understanding of theory and practice in the discipline of academic advising and planning.
- Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems. Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.
- Confidence and proficiency with computers and technology such as Microsoft Office, SCT Banner (versions 8 and 9) EAB Navigate, EAB Campus, College Scheduler and the use of other associated applications and communication tools including social media and websites.
- Ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, advisory and/or design data and information.
- Experience with equity-minded work and/or understanding of individuals of diverse identities such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, sexual orientation and veterans including those with different levels of academic preparation, varying physical and learning abilities.
- Strong interpersonal, written and oral communications skills.
SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING PREFERRED:
- Bilingual skills, a plus
- Advising Veteran Students / School Certifying Official Experience
- Advising Dual Enrollment / Early College / High School Students
Additional Information:
This is a full-time, benefitted, MCCC Professional Staff Position.
Salary Range: $59,244 is the starting salary with a Master's Degree, actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits which include:
- High quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
- Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
- Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
- Low cost basic and optional life insurance
- Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
- 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
- Tuition Benefit for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
- Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
- Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
- Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
- Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
- Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
- Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
- Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Location: Lowell campus with occassional travel to Bedford as needed; this position will be eligible for a maximum of two days of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00am until 6:00pm, Fridays 9:00am until 5:00pm, 37.5 hours per week
Expected start date: January 3, 2023
Application Deadline: December 12, 2022
The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
COVID VACCINATION REQUIREMENT: Candidates for employment should be aware that all Middlesex Community College students, faculty and staff are required to be fully vaccinated by January, 2022. Accordingly, initial employment is dependent upon receipt and verification of full vaccination status records; details of how to fulfill vaccine record verification requirements will be provided during the hire and onboarding process.
