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College Student Support Specialist

Job Description

College Student Support Specialist

Full Job Description

Salary Range: $22.00 To $25.00 Hourly

ESMA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that children and adults with disabilities have equal opportunities to live, learn, work, and play. Join our team to make an immediate and powerful impact in the lives of the clients we serve!

POSITION TITLE: College Student Support Specialist / College Navigator (caseload)

DEPARTMENT: Employment and Transition Services

REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Employment and Transition Services


Are you interested in providing on-campus support to college students with disabilities as they navigate campus life and adjust to college? Easter Seals Massachusetts continues to expand its very successful College Navigator program throughout the state.

Basic Function:

Provide on-campus and virtual support to college students with disabilities as they adjust to academics without IEP accommodations and navigate campus living.
This position requires on site availability to local colleges around the Gardner, MA. Travel is required to Mount Wachusett Community College (main location) as well as Fitchburg State University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester State University, and Quinsigamond Community College and could include other colleges in that area.

Essential Functions:

  • 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
  • Supports the student with executive functioning skills such as time management, organization, scheduling, etc.
  • Help identify potential barriers and problem-solve around them with students and college staff
  • Create a supportive environment between the college and the student
  • Advocates with the student on identifying their needs and being able to 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
  • Assisting students with navigating online learning platforms including, but not limited to Blackboard, Canvas, and Moodle
  • Helping students understand the current college culture and expectations

Non-Essential Functions:

  • 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
  • Performs any other duties and/or tasks that may be assigned on an as-needed basis
  • 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
  • Other duties and tasks as assigned

Relations with Others:

  • Direction is received from the program manager
  • Accepts constructive feedback and modifies actions accordingly
  • Accepts assignments in a positive and proactive manner
  • Interfaces with students, families, disability professionals, and educators
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills required
  • Able to adapt communication style to effectively communicate with all individuals, including those with different communication abilities

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in related field required; and/or Master's degree in related field
  • Experience with young adults with disabilities preferred
  • 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
  • Background check
  • TB test and health documentation clearing for work
  • COVID-19 vaccine (required due to college requests)

Required Work Habits:

  • Ability to work independently or in groups with minimal supervision
  • Able to work flexible hours between 8 am and 5 pm, with occasional evenings
  • 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

Physical Demands:

  • Frequent communication in person, via video conferencing, via phone, and through e-mail
  • Must be able to use various office machines
  • Frequent use of computer and telephone
  • Frequent sitting, standing, and maneuvering
  • Able to travel within an assigned geographic region and for occasional training throughout the state

Mental Demands:

  • Frequent flexibility to establish workflow priorities
  • Ability to work with limited supervision on multiple sites
  • Ability to anticipate program needs and implement solutions for addressing them
  • Ability to manage stress
  • Ability to anticipate challenges, and help implement strategies for addressing them

Environmental Conditions and Physical Surroundings:

  • College campus setting with potential work from home and/or at Easter Seals Offices
  • Able to travel within an assigned geographic region and for occasional training throughout the state
  • Exposure to weather conditions consistent with required travel

Equipment Used:

  • Office equipment such as computers, copy & fax machines, postage machines, telephones, and printers
  • Responsible for providing own transportation

Skills and Attributes:

  • Mission-driven
  • Strategic thinker
  • Hands-on approach to service delivery and leadership
  • Analytical
  • Independent
  • Acts with integrity
  • Team builder & collaborator
  • Excellent communicator
  • Great time management skills
  • Organized

Easter Seals Massachusetts is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. We base all employment decisions on each individual's capabilities and qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetics, or any other protected status under the law.

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

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