Learning Specialist - Essex County Sheriff’s Department

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Middleton, MA

26d•$72,265 - $77,858•Onsite

About The Position

Northern Essex Community College seeks a full-time Learning Specialist to support incarcerated and justice-involved students at Essex County Sheriff's Department facilities. The program offers ESOL, HiSET/GED preparation in English and Spanish, digital literacy, and related classes. Reporting to the Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning, the specialist helps students build literacy, numeracy, language, and digital literacy skills toward high school equivalency, further education, training, and employment. The position includes travel within the Essex County Sheriff's Office Continuum and is funded through general fund appropriations from the Essex County Sheriff's Department. The role provides instruction in a correctional setting, including individualized and small-group teaching, assessment, curriculum development, and culturally responsive lesson planning. The specialist supports diverse learners, including students with educational gaps or disabilities, and works with colleagues and advisors to develop instructional, education, career, and transition plans. The position is an MCCC/MTA Unit Professional role, Pay Grade 5, scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; hours may be adjusted and compensated in accordance with contractual guidelines. An anticipated salary range is $72,265 to $77,858 annually for candidates with a bachelor's degree, with a complete fringe benefit package. The anticipated start date is ASAP. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and review of a CORI and SORI background check. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States; the college does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in the required discipline or a closely related field, plus one year of experience and/or training that includes teaching, instructional technology, or program development; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Ability to teach all HiSET/GED subject areas and ESOL.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
Strong digital literacy skills.
Demonstrated writing and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of an educational team.
Ability to adapt to challenging environments.
Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population.
Legal authorization to work in the United States; employment-based visa sponsorship is not provided.
Successful completion and review of a background check, including CORI and SORI.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree.
Working familiarity with College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education and Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education.
Experience working in a correctional facility.
Experience working with adult learners.
Bilingual Spanish/English.

Responsibilities

Attend the mandatory 40-hour orientation at the Middleton House of Corrections.
Teach incarcerated adults and justice-involved individuals in a correctional setting, including people with educational gaps or disabilities.
Provide individualized and small-group instruction tailored to diverse student needs.
Determine student learning needs and sequence learning goals appropriately.
Collaborate with colleagues and instructors on curriculum development and revision, student assessment, instructional materials, and teaching strategies.
Adhere to ADA requirements, including Individualized Education Plans and approved accommodations.
Develop course curricula and syllabi, and prepare and evaluate instructional materials.
Monitor student progress through assessments and ongoing formative assessment, adjusting instruction to support student growth.
Offer students leadership opportunities, such as integrating peer tutors into classroom instruction.
Promote a student-centered, cooperative learning environment aligned with adult learning theory, College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education, and Massachusetts English Language Proficiency Standards for Adult Education.
Teach reading, writing, mathematics, social studies, and science skills for high school equivalency and college and career readiness.
Teach ESOL to English language learners.
Use research-based practices, current instructional methods, and current materials to provide effective, culturally responsive instruction.
Use curriculum to inform instruction and develop culturally responsive lesson plans.
Collaborate with advisors and colleagues to provide specialized instruction tailored to individual needs.
Enter student attendance daily into platforms mandated by funders and maintain current student records for funder compliance.
Incorporate technology into instruction and ensure students can access and use technology during instruction.
Maintain electronic lesson plans aligned with program curricula, CCRSAE, and MELPS.
Support advisors in developing comprehensive education, career, and transition plans for students.
Follow policies, procedures, assurances, and timelines set by funders and internal guidance documents.
Attend required staff meetings, professional development sessions, and conferences.
Participate in an annual evaluation or performance review conducted by the Education Director.
Perform other duties as requested by the Education Director or Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning.