SOAR Academic and Transfer Advisor

POSITION: Full-Time SOAR Academic and Transfer Advisor (Transfer Counselor): SOAR Program; Haverhill (100 Elliott Street) and Lawrence Campus (45 Franklin Street); MCCC/MTA Unit Professional Position; 37.5 hours/week, Monday through Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm; Pay Grade 5; State allocated position

SUMMARY: The SOAR Program is a state-allocated, high-impact cohort-based program that provides wraparound support, services, and high-impact practices to improve outcomes and close equity gaps for the college's most vulnerable populations.

The Academic and Transfer Advisor, under the guidance of the Assistant Director of SOAR for Academic Support, is dedicated to advancing the SOAR program's mission of creating a familial community that fosters trust and provides personalized support to increase completion and close equity gaps. This role involves offering tailored academic, transfer, and career advising to help students navigate their educational paths, explore and confirm majors, complete transfer processes, and explore and prepare for their chosen careers. Emphasizing equity and cultural inclusion, the advisor works collaboratively with colleagues and external partners, demonstrating flexibility and adaptability to create a supportive environment that addresses evolving student needs and promotes continuous program improvement.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific duties for this position include:

• Academic Advising & Registration
  • Establish and maintain trusting relationships with students through student-centered, equity-minded and culturally responsive advising practices to support historically underrepresented student populations.
  • Support students in exploring and confirming their major and identifying career paths aligned with their strengths, interests, and educational goals utilizing career assessment and research tools.
  • Support students in developing long-term academic plans, fostering persistence and on-time graduation.
  • Ensure students understand degree requirements, helping them make informed academic choices that align with career and transfer goals.
  • Communicate important deadlines regarding registration, graduation, transfer, and career preparation to ensure students stay on track.
  • Provide interventions to ensure students maintain academic standing and meet key benchmarks.
  • Equip students with skills to independently use Navigate and other advising technologies for academic planning, tracking progress, course selection and registration, and utilizing success tools and support services.
  • Prepare students for a seamless transfer process by guiding them through research, applications, financial aid, and identifying and applying for scholarships and other financial resources to support their transfer.
  • Plan interactive workshops that help students build skills in academic planning, financial literacy, and professional development to meet the needs of diverse student populations, ensuring inclusivity.
  • Participate in student success data reviews with our team, identify trends, and assess the effectiveness of advising strategies, and implement improvements.

• Career Specialist Responsibilities
  • Collaborate with Career Services on behalf of the SOAR program to develop and promote tools, resources, and events that provide participants with comprehensive major and career exploration and preparation.
  • Develop promotional and preparatory materials in coordination with Career Services for Major, Career, and Job Fairs and Professional Development events.
  • Research and maintain an up-to-date career resource library including major and career assessments, career and preparation events, and experiential learning opportunities in One Note.

• Student Retention & Support
  • Develop proactive outreach strategies to maintain student engagement and ensure persistence through degree completion.
  • Empower students to overcome academic and personal barriers through individualized support, empowering self-advocacy, and connections to campus resources.
  • Support at-risk students through structured intervention plans, leveraging the Early Alert system.

• Institutional Collaboration & Professional Development
  • Serve as a resource for faculty and staff to enhance their understanding of student advising and transfer processes.
  • Work closely with Enrollment Services, Student Success Hub, and Career Services to ensure a seamless student experience.
  • Embrace flexibility and innovation by participating in program evaluation, staff retreats, and collaborative planning. Engage meaningfully with colleagues to refine approaches, share insights, and bring enthusiasm and a solutions-oriented mindset to discussions on program development to enhance the program's ability to meet student needs.
  • Participate in college service activities such as committees of the All-College Assembly, President's Meetings, All-College Assembly, Academic Convocation, NACADA Region 1, and Leadership Academy Presentations.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.
  • The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Transfer Counselor HB 1126.doc
  
  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field; with five (5) years' experience and/or training that includes academic advisement, career counseling, student assessment, workshops/seminar coordination, and project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess and negotiate complex, highly sensitive situations
• Experience successfully planning, executing and evaluating programs and initiatives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service.
• Creative problem-solving abilities.
• Bilingual (Spanish and English)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Student Affairs or related field
• Experience with healthcare programs in an academic setting
• Banner Student Information Systems and DegreeWorks experience
• Experience working in a community college.
• Experience working with and supporting a culturally diverse, population in a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as noted above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience has prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

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 $70,929.00 to $76,416.00 (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