POSITION: Full-Time Education and Career Advisor: Academic Counselor; Essex County Sheriff's Department; position includes travel within the Essex County Sheriff's Office Continuum; MCCC/MTA Unit Professional Position; 37.5 hours/week, Monday through Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm; Pay Grade 5; Grant Funded Position

SUMMARY: The Advisor will report to the Education Director and will advise and support incarcerated and justice involved individuals at one or several of the Essex County Sheriff's Department's carceral and/or reentry settings. The Education and Career Advisor maintains a caseload of students; advises and supports students in the formulation of education and career goals and transition plans; attainment of a high school credential; development of digital literacy skills; enrollment in postsecondary education; identification of postsecondary education and work readiness skills education, and preparation for employment.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific duties for this position include:

• Maintains a caseload of students across the ECSD continuum
• Maintains and documents advising notes, intake data, attendance, and additional required information identified by supervisors, grantors, and funders for all students in platforms mandated by grantors and funders
• Orients, intakes, enrolls and assesses new students
• Assesses students at benchmarks identified by grantors and fundors
• Monitors student progress and attendance; identifies and leads resolution of barriers to progress and attendance to include referring students to academic supports
• Provides individual education and career planning and advising for post-secondary education/ training and career opportunities
• Guides students and collaborates with Learning Specialists in the development of Education and Career Plans and Transition Plans
• Leads weekly culturally responsive College and Career and Bridge to Work classes to include development of digital literacy skills
• Refers and connects students to relevant education, vocation, and career planning community services
• Maintains and posts advising office hours for students
• Collaborates with instructor(s) to ensure that student goals and assessment results inform instruction
• Networks with local/regional employers and education providers in order to help students connect to employment opportunities
• Participates in required staff meetings, professional development and conferences
• Participates in program planning and development activities
• Develops and maintains relationships with school districts to support receipt of student records and monitor student progress
• Adheres to policies, procedures, assurances and timelines defined by federal and state grants, ESCD, and internal guidance documents
• Adheres to ADA (American with Disabilities Act) to include Individualized Education Plans (IEP), accommodations/modifications approved by NECC, and policies and processes established by Special Education in Institutional Settings
• Demonstrates the ability to work as a member of a team and the capacity to work across departments and/or disciplines
• Meets with students on housing units in carceral setting
• Participates in an annual evaluation/performance review conducted by the Education Director
• Performs other duties as requested by the Education Director or Assistant Education Director
• The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Academic Counselor - HB 1051.doc

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology or closely related field; with one (1) year experience and/or training involving academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• 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
• Experience working with adult learners and corrections populations
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to adapt to challenging environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working in a correctional facility
• Bilingual (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse population

BACKGROUND CHECK: Candidates will be required to pass a CORI and SORI check as a condition of employment.

GRADE AND SALARY: Anticipated salary range is $64,292 - $69,266 (MCCC Pay Grade 5 with a Master's degree) annually with complete fringe benefit package. Complete fringe benefit package including competitive health insurance, free dental insurance, basic life insurance, long-term disability insurance, paid sick, vacation and personal leave, educational benefits for employee/spouse/dependents, and excellent retirement benefits. Actual salary calculated in compliance with MCCC/MTA classification system. Official transcripts will be required at the time of hire.

ANTICIPATED START DATE: ASAP