Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Community College (MCC) is one of the largest community colleges in the Commonwealth, employing people in full-time, part-time, faculty, professional, administrative, and support positions at campuses in both Lowell and Bedford, and online. We are focused on equity to transform lives and shape futures. MCC values equity and inclusion as the foundation for excellence, innovation, and success for our employees and students. MCC is committed to a policy of affirmative action, equal opportunity, equal education, non-discrimination, and diversity to provide a learning and working environment that values the diverse backgrounds of all students and employees. MCC strives for a faculty and staff that reflect its richly diverse community of students. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities and others are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applications for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status. Middlesex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity 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 sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.
Prospective employees are encouraged to review the College's Annual Safety & Security Report, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which can be found on the disclosure page of the College's website at: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/disclosurestatements/campsecrpt.aspx
Location: Lowell, MA Category: Full-time Staff Posted On: Wed Aug 20 2025 Job Description:
Title: TRIO Learning Specialist (Full-Time, 12 Month Position) (Federally Grant Funded)
Unit: MCCC Full-Time Professional Staff
Department: Student Affairs, Student Support Services, TRIO Program for Student Achievement (PSA)
Reports to: Director of TRIO Program for Student Achievement
Date: August 20, 2025
General Summary: The TRIO Learning Specialist (12 month) is a member of the TRIO Program for Student Achievement team which uses a caseload model in a non-therapeutic setting to provide academic, career, transfer, financial aid and personal advising to 100 program participants, 100% of whom are students with documented disabilities. In service to TRIO grant objectives of good academic standing, retention, progress to graduation and transfer to four-year institutions, this position will:
Essential Job Functions
- Instruct in study and learning strategies to promote independent learning and encourage students to develop a systematic approach to studying that will serve them throughout their coursework.
- Provide academic and career advising and assist in the course selection and registration process.
- Support students in accessing and implementing accommodations.
- Conduct intake interviews, reviews application materials, and creates a customized service plan for each student.
- Participate in program specific recruitment activities within the college.
- Outreach to students who may be experiencing academic difficulties as determined by academic deficiency grades, early alert system and class withdrawals and make appropriate referrals to college and community resources.
- Assist with financial aid and scholarship application process including assistance in applying for educational funds from sources at MCC, potential transfer institutes and other funding sources.
- Maintain student advisor log and record student contacts using Student Access database, Navigate and other college platforms.
- Manage and implement the TRIO PSA Early Awareness process.
- Maintain awareness of current issues supporting students with disabilities in post-secondary settings.
- Attend training sessions and meetings including professional development opportunities.
- Assist in the development of and presentation of skill building workshops for program participants such as time management, project management, resume writing, financial literacy.
- Provide support for TRIO PSA program goals in the areas of financial literacy information and education.
- Write letters of recommendation for participants for awards, scholarship, fellowship, and employment opportunities, and as part of the transfer process.
- Offers comprehensive transfer planning, including campus visits, college fairs, and applying for educational funds from sources at MCC, potential transfer institutes and other funding sources.
- Assist students in writing requirements including but not limited to: scholarship applications, financial aid appeals, college essays, resumes, and cover letters.
- Attend TRIO program staff meetings as well as in-services and education programs relevant to job performance.
- Conduct exit interviews with students who complete, transfer or discontinue enrollment.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with multiple college offices and departments including Student Access and Support Services, Academic Centers for Enrichment, Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid/ Student Accounts, Veterans Resource Center, Wellness and Essential Needs and with external agencies as appropriate.
- Provide direct services as a case manager to program participants.
- Provide 1:1 support in metacognitive strategies during tutoring sessions.
- Provide 1:1 support in time management, organizational and study skills, test taking strategies, and self-advocacy.
- Provide 1:1 support to students to assist with college readiness skills, address academic challenges, activities that promote college retention and support in academic areas
- Build strong advising relationships, monitors students' progress toward individual and program goals, making referrals to appropriate college resources.
Job Requirements:- Master's degree required in Special Education, Education Psychology, Counseling or related field.
- At least 1 years of related disability services experience in training/teaching/providing direct service in a secondary or postsecondary environment
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted for the required Master's Degree
- Demonstrated understanding and /or developing knowledge of ADAAA/Section 504 of Rehab Act, with knowledge of disability documentation.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated knowledge of outreach, recruitment, and intervention services and strategies that address the needs of individuals with disabilities including Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, and Psycho-Social disabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and apply tutoring methods to engage individuals of diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.
- Ability to work with students in-person and through online platforms.
- Ability to provide clear and concise explanations.
- Strong time management, organizational and communication skills.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Confidence and proficiency with computers and technology are necessary.
- Excellent skills in interpersonal relationships; ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with college students and colleagues.
- Bilingual skills a plus.
Additional Information:This position is supported through federal grant funding. While the college is fully committed to the success of this program, continued employment in this role is contingent upon ongoing grant funding. Should federal funding change in the future, the position may be impacted.
Salary Range: $70,929 is the starting salary with a Master's Degree; actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:
- High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
- Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
- Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
- Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
- Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
- 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
- Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
- Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
- Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
- Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
- Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
- Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
- Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Location: Lowell campus with occasional travel to Bedford as needed
Hours: 37.5 per week, schedule to be determined upon hire. This position will be eligible for a maximum of one day of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.
Expected Start Date: October 2025
Application Deadline: September 10, 2025
Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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