College Student Support Specialist - Lowell, MA

Easter Seals of Massachusetts Inc•Billerica, MA

2d•$26 - $29•Hybrid

About The Position

Easterseals Massachusetts (ESMA), a nonprofit organization working to ensure that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play, is hiring College Navigators to support college students with disabilities as they adjust to college academics and campus life. Navigators provide on-campus and virtual support, helping students transition to college and develop greater independence. The roles support students at UMass Lowell or Middlesex Community College’s Bedford and Lowell campuses, with possible on-site availability at other nearby colleges in northeastern Massachusetts. The team provides comprehensive new-hire training, including job shadowing with experienced staff. The positions require full-time weekday availability, with schedules varying according to student needs between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Navigators need reliable personal transportation to commute between campuses. The workweek is 35 hours. Compensation is $26 per hour for candidates with a bachelor’s degree and $29 per hour for candidates with a master’s degree.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required; a master’s degree in a related field is also indicated.
Full-time availability Monday through Friday, with the ability to work between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. according to student schedules.
Reliable personal transportation for daily travel between campuses.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams, and 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 relate positively to students, families, and professionals; work flexibly with others; organize and prioritize work; and adapt communication to individuals with varied disabilities and communication abilities.
Ability to accept assignments proactively and use constructive feedback to modify actions.

Nice To Haves

Experience with young adults with disabilities.
Knowledge of pertinent academic areas and learning situations, including educational 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 to college.
Provide one-to-one coaching to establish and support goals in higher education and independent living, encouraging independence throughout the student’s program.
Support students with executive-functioning skills, including time management, organization, and scheduling.
Identify potential barriers and problem-solve with students and college staff.
Create a supportive environment between the college and the student.
Advocate for students by identifying their needs and explaining them to college staff.
Maintain documentation to monitor and evaluate client progress toward goals.
Communicate with referring agencies and the program manager through monthly notes and weekly check-ins, and identify and resolve client challenges.
Meet the expectations, standards, and protocols of work sites and referring agencies.
Assist students with online learning platforms, including Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle.
Help students understand college culture and expectations.
When applicable, assist clients with consistent and appropriate use of assistive technology as outlined in their action plans.
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 at local and state meetings when requested by the program manager or director.
Resolve routine administrative problems.
Adapt communication style to communicate effectively with people 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 complete multiple tasks simultaneously and accurately.
Communicate effectively by phone and in person, maintain open communication, work independently or with groups, and respond constructively to feedback.