College Student Support Specialist - Metrowest Region of MA

Easter Seals of Massachusetts Inc • Wellesley, MA

3d • $26 - $29 • Hybrid

About The Position

Easterseals Massachusetts is hiring a College Student Support Specialist, also called a College Navigator, to support college students with disabilities as they adjust to college academics and campus life. The role provides on-campus and virtual support, primarily at MassBay Community College’s Wellesley campus and occasionally its Framingham campus, as well as Bentley University and Brandeis University in Waltham. On-site availability at other nearby Metrowest colleges may also be required. The College Navigator program provides comprehensive new-hire training, including job-shadowing with experienced team members.

This position offers a 35-hour workweek and requires full-time availability Monday through Friday, with work scheduled between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. depending on student schedules. Daily reliable personal transportation is required to commute between campuses. The stated hourly rate is $26 for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and $29 for candidates with a master’s degree.

The College Student Support Specialist helps students develop and work toward goals in higher education and independent living, build executive functioning skills, address barriers, and navigate college expectations and online learning platforms. The role also involves advocacy, documentation, communication with referring agencies and program management, coordination with students’ families and college staff, and participation in transition-related meetings when requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Reliable personal transportation for daily commuting between campuses.
• Full-time availability Monday through Friday, with ability to work between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. depending on student schedules.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Working knowledge of Zoom video conferencing.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Health documentation clearance for work.
• Ability to work independently or in groups with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively by phone and in person with professionals and clients with varied disabilities and communication abilities.
• Ability to organize projects, prioritize workflow, and complete multiple tasks accurately and simultaneously.
• Ability to relate positively to students, families, and professionals; remain flexible and work well with others; communicate openly; and accept and act on constructive feedback.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with young adults with disabilities.
• Zero to three years of related experience.
• Relevant internship, volunteer, or academic experience.
• Knowledge of pertinent academic areas and learning situations, including secondary education systems and platforms such as Blackboard, Moodle, and Canvas.
• COVID-19 vaccination is strongly preferred due to campus policies.

Responsibilities

• Develop semester action plans addressing each student’s goals for transitioning into college.
• Provide one-to-one coaching to establish and support concrete goals in higher education and independent living, encourage independence, and address each student’s needs.
• Support students’ executive functioning, including time management, organization, and scheduling.
• Identify potential barriers and problem-solve with students and college staff.
• Create a supportive relationship between the college and the student.
• Advocate for students by identifying their needs and explaining them to college staff.
• Maintain ongoing documentation to monitor and evaluate client progress toward goals.
• Communicate with referring agencies and the program manager through monthly notes, weekly check-ins, and discussion and resolution of client challenges.
• Meet the expectations, standards, and protocols of work sites and referring agencies.
• Assist students in navigating online learning platforms, including Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle.
• Help students understand college culture and expectations.
• When applicable, assist clients in using assistive technology consistently and appropriately as outlined in their action plans to support self-sufficiency and functioning.
• Review potential referrals to other ESMA programs and services with the program manager.
• Provide program improvement ideas to the program manager.
• Attend transition-related conferences and represent Easter Seals Transition Services in local and state meetings when requested by the program manager or director.
• Resolve routine administrative problems.
• Adapt communication style to communicate effectively with individuals with different communication abilities.
• Interface regularly with students, families, disability professionals, and educators.
• Complete administrative reporting and assigned tasks and projects accurately, thoroughly, and on time.
• Organize projects, prioritize workflow, and manage multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately.
• Work independently or in groups with minimal supervision, communicate openly, collaborate with others, and respond constructively to feedback.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level