High School Equivalency Advisor (Part-Time)

Job Description

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https://necc.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=199519

About Northern Essex Community College:

THE COLLEGE: Northern Essex Community College (NECC) serves about 5,000 credit students each semester on two campuses located in the beautiful, historic Merrimack Valley region of northeast Massachusetts. Our suburban Haverhill campus sits on 106 acres near Kenoza Lake and features a Technology Center and an award-winning Student One-Stop Center. Our urban campus in Lawrence occupies a number of buildings in the heart of downtown. Most recently, we have constructed a new 44,000 square foot health technologies facility, the Dr. Ibrahim El-Hefni Allied Health & Technology Center. Both campuses are a short drive to Boston and to the beaches and state parks along the coast.

The College has been building an organizational culture that values initiative and innovation, and seeks to identify and develop the strengths in students, faculty, staff, and programs in order to grow and improve. NECC is also committed to using evidence to guide planning and decision-making. These values are reflected in the use of Appreciative Inquiry for strategic planning and accreditation; in our investment in strengths-based, institution-wide professional development; and in our ten-year involvement as a Leader College in Achieving the Dream, a national network of community colleges dedicated to using data to close student achievement gaps.

We are also committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. With over 40% Hispanic students, NECC was the first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in New England.

We seek leaders who are committed to the community college mission, actively engaged in promoting diversity, and prepared to use their unique strengths and innovation with the goal of student success.

Job Description:

POSITION: Part-Time High School Equivalency Advisor (Academic Counselor): Center for Adult Education; Lawrence Campus (45 Franklin Street); MCCC/MTA Unit PT Professional Position; up to 16 hours per week. This position is grant-funded and is contingent upon the availability of funding. Continuation of the position is dependent on ongoing grant support and may be subject to termination if funding is reduced or discontinued.

SUMMARY: The Advisor for the High School Equivalency (HSE) Program provides academic counseling to adult learners pursuing a High School Equivalency credential. The Counselor supports students from intake through credential attainment and transition to postsecondary education, training, or employment. This position requires the application of counseling theory, independent professional judgment, and equity-minded practice to support student persistence, completion, and advancement. The Counselor collaborates with instructional staff, college departments, and community partners.

SCHEDULE: Monday through Thursday, 4:00pm - 8:00pm

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide individual and group academic counseling to HSE students to support educational and career goal clarification.
• Develop, implement, and regularly update Individualized Education and Career Plans (IECPs) for all HSE students.
• Work with students to assess their needs, identify barriers and appropriate interventions.
• Monitor student academic progress, attendance, and engagement; conduct proactive outreach and case management to promote persistence and credential completion.
• Collaborate with HSE instructors and support staff to align counseling strategies with instructional progress while maintaining confidentiality.
• Administer, interpret, and utilize assessments (e.g., MAPT) and HiSET practice tests to inform counseling and academic planning.
• Guide students through HSE testing registration, preparation, accommodations, and post-testing planning.
• Plan and facilitate workshops and group sessions focused on academic success strategies, study skills, testing readiness, and transition to college or training.
• Serve as a cultural navigator for adult learners, supporting understanding of academic systems and pathways beyond HSE completion.
• Coordinate referrals to appropriate campus and community resources to address academic, personal, and career-related needs.
• Support student retention, re-engagement, and completion initiatives through targeted counseling outreach.
• Support HSE student intake, orientation, placement, and onboarding.
• Maintain confidential counseling records, case notes, and documentation in compliance with institutional, state, and grant requirements.
• Participate in meetings, program planning, assessment activities, and professional development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Academic Counselor - HB 1051.doc

• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional academic counseling using counseling theory and student development principles
• Experience supporting adult learners, first-generation students, and immigrant populations
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and case management skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and student information and data systems

• Experience in adult education, HSE or ESOL program.
• Experience working with DESE-funded programs and data systems such as LACES
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)

• Cover Letter, describing your qualifications and/or how you may be best suited for the role
• Resume/CV