College Student Support Specialist - Northeast Region of MA
About The Position
ESMA is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play. The College Navigator program is expanding, and this role provides on-campus and virtual support to college students with disabilities as they adjust to academics without IEP accommodations and navigate campus living. The position requires onsite presence primarily at Middlesex Community College (Bedford and Lowell campuses), Brandeis University, and Bentley University in Waltham, with potential availability at other nearby colleges in Northeast Massachusetts. The role involves developing action plans, providing 1:1 coaching, supporting executive functioning skills, identifying and problem-solving barriers, creating a supportive environment, advocating for students, maintaining documentation, communicating with referring agencies and program managers, and assisting students with online learning platforms and college culture.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in related field required; and/or Master's degree in related field
- Knowledge of pertinent academic areas and learning situations including but not limited to secondary educational systems such as Blackboard, Moodle, Canvas, etc.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams) and Zoom video conferencing
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- TB test and health documentation clearing for work
- Ability to work independently or in groups with minimal supervision
- Able to work standard hours between 8 am and 5 pm
- Ensure accurate administrative reporting as required
- Completes all assigned tasks and projects in a timely and thorough manner
- Ability to relate to students, families, and professionals in a positive manner
- Flexible and able to work well with others
- Maintain open and effective communication
- Ability to communicate effectively by phone and in person with professionals and clients with various disabilities
- Able to adapt communication style to effectively communicate with all individuals, including those with different communication abilities
- Ability to organize projects, prioritize workflow, and complete multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately
- Accepts assignments in a positive and proactive manner
- Accepts constructive feedback and modifies actions accordingly
Nice To Haves
- Experience with young adults with disabilities preferred
- COVID-19 vaccine (strongly preferred due to campus policies)
Responsibilities
- Develop action plans each semester that addresses each student’s goals as they relate to their transition into college
- Provide 1:1 coaching to develop and support concrete goals in areas of higher education and independent living to meet each student's unique needs and encourage independence in all phases of the student’s program
- Support the student with executive functioning skills such as time management, organization, scheduling, etc.
- Identify potential barriers and problem-solve around them with students and college staff
- Create a supportive environment between the college and the student
- Advocate for the student by identifying their needs and explain them to college staff
- Maintain ongoing documentation related to monitoring and evaluating client progress on goals
- Communication with referring agencies and program manager including monthly notes, weekly check-ins, and identifying and problem-solving challenges with clients
- Ability to meet expectations, standards, and protocols of work sites and referring agencies
- Assist students with navigating online learning platforms including, but not limited to Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle
- Help students understand the current college culture and expectations
- When applicable, assist clients in the consistent and appropriate use of assistive technology as outlined in the action plan to develop greater self-sufficiency and functioning
- Review and discuss with the program manager potential referrals for other ESMA programs and services
- Provide ongoing program ideas for improvement to the program manager
- Attend transition-related conferences and represent Easter Seals Transition Services in local and state meetings, as requested by the program manager and/or director
- Resolves routine administrative problems
- Adapt communication style to effectively communicate with all individuals, including those with different communication abilities
- Regular interfacing with students, families, disability professionals, and educators
Benefits
- Comprehensive new hire training through job-shadowing
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
