Academic and Transfer Counselor (2 Positions)

Academic and Transfer Counselor (2 Positions)


Department: Advising


Location: Wellesley Hills/Framingham

MassBay fosters educational excellence and academic success to prepare students for local and global citizenship, to meet critical workforce demands of communities, and to contribute to the region’s economic development.

Massachusetts Bay Community College values diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. We strongly encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply to join our community.

Located in Greater Boston, MassBay is a comprehensive, open-access community college offering associate degrees and certificate programs on three campuses in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland, Massachusetts.

Position Summary:

The ideal candidate will join a vibrant and inclusive educational community, and have a desire and ability to work with a diverse population.

The Academic and Transfer Counselor will advise and counsel students to develop academic plans of study, to select curriculum, and course sequencing according to College and department policies. This position will also design and offer advising and transfer services, as well as perform administrative tasks and participate in programs associated with department activities. The Academic and Transfer Counselor acts as a resource to the college community in regard to advising services.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:


Academic Advising:

• Provide students assistance with planning to meet educational goals through advising, technology, career services, retention and transfer services;
• Provide students with the foundation to become increasingly capable of making informed academic, transfer, and career decisions;
• Develop educational plans and monitor progress for various student groups and individual caseload of advisees;
• Maintain knowledge of the curricula for MassBay degrees, certificate, courses and relevant transfer;
• Maintain knowledge and currency with MassBay policies and procedures for admissions, enrollment, and completion of a program of study;
• Evaluate and interpret placement test scores and transfer credit;
• Assist students in planning appropriate courses for the student’s academic program;
• Assist students with adding and / or withdrawing from courses;
• Assist students in obtaining developmental / tutorial assistance;
• Provide drop-in students assistance with academic planning during peak enrollment periods and throughout the academic year and summer terms;
  

Inter-Office Collaboration:

• Work closely with staff from the Academic Achievement Center, IT, Financial Aid, Enrollment Center, Admissions, Student Engagement, and Student Development, as well as faculty and Academic Deans, and assist students in navigating and utilizing appropriate resources at the college;
• Represent the department or the division for campus, college and community activities;
  

Orientation + New Student Assistance:

• Participate in new student orientation (SOAR) activities and provide comprehensive advising to first-year students;
• Assess skills, interests, and aptitude; identify realistic career goals and identify appropriate major of study;
• Provide students with information about educational options, admission to selective programs, major and course selection, graduation requirements, transfer to baccalaureate degree programs, and college policies and procedures;

Departmental Support:

• Assist in reviewing and developing College and departmental policy and effects on student success;
• Perform degree audits, course substitutions, and waivers;
• Utilize PeopleSoft programs to review student records;
• Utilize EAB Navigate / StudentTrac database by recording accurate notes and documents to student files;
• Assist in the development of advising workshops for faculty and staff;
• Participate in Academic Advising, Coaching, and Transfer staff meetings, Academic Divisional and MassBay/SUCCESS Initiative staff meetings;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, ie, front desk coverage, answering phones, and scheduling appointments;
• Advise the Director regarding student / program issues;
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement; Requires some evening and weekend hours during peak enrollment periods
  
• Other duties as assigned.

Commitment to Equity:

• Support MassBay’s commitment to the Equity Agenda; collaborating with faculty, staff, and students on the College’s strategic initiatives dedicated to closing the equity gap related to student outcomes;
• Support MassBay’s commitment to being anti-racist; embracing a community free of bias and inequality;
• Contribute to discussion and review of applicable College policies with a critical lens toward diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Engage with the Office of Diversity on issues related to underserved student success;
• Further the examination of pertinent practices that are culturally responsive and reflective of inclusive perspectives; and
• Engage in conversations with colleagues and students regarding best practices within the discipline or programmatic related to equity and inclusion.

This list is not to be considered all-inclusive. A supervisor may assign other duties as required to meet the needs and foster the mission of the College.

All employees of MassBay are expected to work collegially and collaboratively within a community that values and celebrates diversity.

Required Qualifications:


Master’s degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology or closely related field; with three (3) years experience and/or training involving college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Sensitivity and commitment to the goals of Affirmative Action and workforce diversity;
• Experience working in a diverse environment;
• Demonstrated commitment to working with underserved students;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with English language learners, adult learners, and students who need support to enroll in college-level coursework.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish, Portuguese, and/or Haitian-Creole.
  

Additional Information:


Salary Range: $68, 201 - $76,268, in accordance with one's education and experience as dictated by the collective bargaining agreement classification compensation structure.

As a Massachusetts State Employee, you are offered an outstanding suite of benefits adding value to your salary.

• Array of choices for health insurance plans to meet individual/ family needs
• Affordable Dental Insurance and vision discount program
• 12 paid State/ Federal holidays
• Generous sick, vacation, and personal time
• Flexible Spending Plans to reduce your taxable income
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan, providing a fixed, pre-established benefit for employees at retirement
• Thinking to save more money towards retirement: consider Deferred Compensation plans i.e., 457(b) or 403(b).
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Free gym and parking on campus
  

Need more info: https://www.massbay.edu/employment/benefits


Position Type: MCCC-Professional Grade 5


Application Deadline: December 10, 2024, or thereafter until filled.


To Apply: Please include a letter of interest and resume with your online application.

Staff


Hiring is subject to state appropriation funding.

Final candidates are required to provide sealed transcripts and/or certifications.

Hiring is contingent upon a successful CORI clearance.

Massachusetts Bay Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits Sex-Based Harassment. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, or retaliation shall be referred to the College’s Affirmative Action Officer and/or Title IX Coordinator (Lisa MacDonald, lmacdonald@massbay.edu (781) 239-3147), the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.