Staff Assistant to the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development

About Middlesex Community College:

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education for a diverse community from all ethnic backgrounds and identities, preparing individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a culture of inclusion in which our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our diverse student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.

As an Affirmative Action employer, MCC strongly encourages members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence to apply.

Job Description:

Title: Staff Assistant to the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development

Unit: Non Unit Professional (NUP)

Department: Strategic Priorities and Professional Development

Reports to: Executive Director of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development

Date: March 31, 2025

General Summary: Middlesex Community College (MCC) is seeking a highly motivated, knowledgeable, and detail-oriented individual to support and coordinate the day-to-day operations of the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development / Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation; to ensure prompt delivery of programming, training, and other services to the campus community. This role provides direct support to the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development. General responsibilities include office management, travel / event scheduling, and budget/ procurement duties. Applicants must have a passion for supporting diverse populations of students, employees and community stakeholders, demonstrated commitment to student success and employee retention, and an understanding of their role in the overall college strategic plan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and coordinate the daily operations of the Department of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development, and the Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation; including sort, send, receive and distribute mail for the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development.
• Administer the budget and procurement processes, monitor and track various budgets that fund the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development and the CTRHT, and adjust accounts as needed.
• Create purchase orders and requisitions; submit backup documentation to the Purchasing Department and request change orders as needed. Monitor and review open encumbrances in Banner to ensure proper balances. Request POs be closed and/or canceled when necessary. Resolve issues and discrepancies with Purchasing and Accounts Payable. Enter p-card purchases in the Bank of America Works system and upload applicable documentation.
• Provide support for projects that advance institutional strategic priorities, including those related to affinity groups. Assist with surveys, self-assessments, and data collection and analysis. Support the evaluation of programs and initiatives by helping gather and organize quantitative and qualitative data to support ongoing improvement efforts.
• Support the planning and execution of events sponsored by the Office of Professional Development, including Professional Days, Communities of Practice, New Faculty Seminars, and Advisory Board meetings. Responsibilities include pre-event coordination, logistical arrangements, on-site support, and general administrative assistance to ensure a successful event delivery.
• Provide in person reception and coverage of the Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, located in the Lowell campus. Demonstrates superior front-line customer service to guests, both in-person and via phone/email; responds to inquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Coordinate all aspects of programming for in person and/or online events originating from the office and center including booking virtual/ physical space, catering, budgeting, procurement/purchasing, hiring activities, stipend payments, etc. ensuring related activities take place in a prompt manner. Collaborate with the Events Director and administrative staff as needed to ensure the seamless execution of professional development and CTRHT activities.
• Advance operational processes to ensure timely delivery of programming and other activities across the campus community and the community at large, while identifying growth areas and maintaining a continuous improvement mindset and departmental culture.
• Communicate with relevant stakeholders as it relates to the planning of racial healing circles including calendar invitations, RSVPs, pre-survey, post-surveys, outline and design structure of upcoming racial healing circles, etc.
• Coordinate various initiatives and events which may include service award recognition program, employee engagement activities, professional day, employment programs, and other special projects as they arise.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Collaborate and participate in events taking place at the college and extended community, including but not limited to those celebrating the diverse experiences of the individuals that make up the Middlesex Community College service area. Collaborate with internal constituents and external partners on events, trainings, racial healing circles and other community-based conversations and programming, as needed.
• With the guidance of the Executive Director, collaborate with faculty and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to deliver racial healing circles to student and other relevant populations, respectively. Facilitate affinity groups and racial healing circles as needed.
• Manage calendar and travel for the Office of Strategic Priorities and Professional Development, as needed.
• Attend meetings and trainings with national stakeholders for the Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, as needed.
• Participate in planning for the National Day of Racial Healing; Day of Love, Acceptance, and Belonging; racial healing circles; affinity spaces and other initiatives to advance a culture of belonging and other institutional strategic priorities, as needed.
• In coordination with the Marketing and Communications department, oversee website intranet content, website and social media operations; produce, update, and maintain forms, guides, brochures, flyers, announcements, and publication materials used by the department and the CTRHT across the college as appropriate.
• Serve on college wide committees as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field OR and Associate's degree in a relevant field and at least three (3) years of relevant professional administrative experience implementing initiatives, or working with diverse populations, in customer service centric or related fields.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted for the requirements listed above.
• Experience working with individuals or groups from historically minoritized backgrounds implementing practices, initiatives, programs.
• Ability to work autonomously, using discretion when needed to accomplish goals, and develop alternatives / recommendations when needed; while maintaining collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
• Ability to effectively interface with all constituents and maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to travel between both campus locations in Lowell and Bedford, MA.
• Evidence of the ability to learn quickly, to demonstrate excellent administrative and organizational skills, and meet deadlines and goals.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including listening skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability in the use of databases and other computer-based technologies
• Experience with equity-minded work and/or understanding of individuals of diverse identities such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, sexual orientation, veterans, and individuals with different academic preparation levels and varying physical and learning abilities. Demonstrated proficiency working in an environment where equity and community-centric work is central to institutional strategy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual, Spanish or Khmer language fluency preferred.
• Demonstrated ability implementing and managing strategic, equity or community- centric projects and initiatives at an organizational level.
• Working knowledge or interest in developing and facilitating racial healing practices and circles.
• Experience working in higher education, and at a comprehensive community college.
• Experience with project management or coordination of programs

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $55,000 - $65,000 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 and Bedford campus

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire

Expected Start Date: June 2025

Application Deadline: April 21, 2025

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

All offers of employment at Middlesex Community College are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates, as deemed necessary.

Middlesex Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at careers@middlesex.edu.

Middlesex Community College strives to make the application and interview process accessible for all applicants but understands that applicants may still encounter barriers due to ability, language, or technology. If we can make the process any more accessible for you, contact Human Resources at 781-280-3549 or careers@middlesex.edu.