ESOL Career Development Counselor - Holyoke

Holyoke Community College•Holyoke, MA

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

Holyoke Community College (HCC) is seeking an ESOL Career Development Counselor to provide educational and career counseling and case management services to students in grant-funded, non-credit ESOL classes. This role supports student persistence and goal achievement, collaborates with instructors on classroom workshops, and assists students with basic technology skills. The counselor will approach students with an asset-based lens, build strong relationships, and proactively communicate with students. They will support student engagement, attendance, and persistence through regular follow-up, needs assessments, and resource connections. The position involves one-on-one career assessment, development, planning, and advising at off-campus adult learning centers, as well as conducting workshops on career exploration, goal setting, and job search strategies. Collaboration with other counselors, instructors, and program staff is essential for providing integrated services. The counselor will also make referrals to appropriate agencies, track student outcomes according to DESE Adult Basic Education guidelines, and provide basic technology troubleshooting for tools like Chromebooks, Zoom, Canvas, and HCC email. Bilingual support in languages spoken by students is preferred. The role also involves collaborating with partner-agency staff and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education, Human Resources, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Excellent interpersonal skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Good verbal and written communication skills
Experienced team player with the ability to also work independently
Knowledge of the basic work skills required by employers
Understanding of the barriers faced by low income populations, immigrants and refugees, and adult language learners
Ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student body

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of experience and/or training involving career counseling, recruitment, or counseling
Demonstrated outcomes in program recruitment and/or job placement, with a diverse population
TESOL experience or certification
Experience with internationally-trained immigrant professionals, and pathways for recredentialing and career development
Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, or a language spoken by students preferred)

Responsibilities

Provides educational and career counseling and case management services to ESOL students in grant-funded, non-credit classes.
Supports student persistence and achievement of goals.
Collaborates with instructors in accordance with ESOL advising curriculum to provide classroom workshops aligned with student needs.
Supports students with development of basic technology skills and troubleshooting, enabling participation in class.
Approaches students through asset-based lens, noticing the strengths they bring to the program and building on those strengths.
Develops strong relationships, trust, and proactive communication with all students on case-load.
Supports students in achieving strong engagement in class, attendance, and persistence over time through regular follow-up, needs assessment and connection to resources, and communication of program expectations.
Provides one-on-one career assessment, development, planning, and career advising services to a diverse population at off-campus adult learning centers.
Conducts workshops and group advising on career exploration, goal setting, job search, and other career-related topics.
Collaborates effectively with other career development counselors, ESOL instructors, and other program staff to provide an integrated teaching and advising services to assist adult learners in identifying, planning for, and attaining career and educational goals.
Maintains consistent contact with participants to support their growth.
Works with participants to develop a career plan with pathways to future advancement.
Makes referrals to appropriate agencies (educational, training, employment, etc.).
Collects and tracks student outcome information related to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Adult Basic Education guidelines, including follow-up data post-exit.
Provides basic technology trouble-shooting and support to students: use of chromebooks, Zoom, Canvas, HCC email, and class tools (eg online textbook supplements).
If possible, provides support in Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese or another language spoken by students.
Collaborates with ESOL instructors, other job placement/career development counselors, and program directors as part of a creative team, finding opportunities for further development and continuous improvement of programs.
Works closely with partner-agency staff as applicable.
Performs other duties as assigned.