Location: Gardner, MA Category: Professional (Staff Member) Job Type: PSM Posted On: Wed Sep 9 2026 Job Description:
General Statement of Duties
The primary goal of the Educational Talent Search Program (ETS) is to prepare middle and high school students for post-secondary education programs that lead to successful careers. The objectives of the program are: completing a course of rigorous curriculum, secondary school retention and graduation, post-secondary enrollment and post- secondary graduation.
The Recruitment Counselor (TRIO Talent Search College Access Advisor) will provide supervision, guidance and support as well as academic enrichment and educational field trips to low-income and/or first generation college middle and high school participants. The recruitment counselor will guide high school students through the college enrollment and financial aid application process.
Responsibilities
- Recruit at assigned schools and maintain the grant-funded number of students within the appropriate low-income, first generation ratio to support the grant's goal of serving 820 students within Leominster, Fitchburg and Gardner, Athol and Sizer School districts.
- Assist students in achieving strong academic performance while completing a rigorous course of study ensuring students meet grant-funded requirements by tracking academic progress of all program participants and use academic records (e.g., report cards, transcripts, etc.) in making decisions about specific student services needed to prepare the students for college.
- Partner with Early College Advisor to provide additional support to students enrolled in early college coursework through individual and small group meetings, particularly those on academic support plans, and provide consistent communication to the high school on student progress and academic performance.
- Check-in weekly with students and target school staff for academic progress.
- Assist high school seniors participating in program throughout the college application process including completing applications, registering for exams (i.e., SAT), completing financial aid applications, college selection, and enrollment.
- Provide and coordinate tutoring sessions and academic programming based on academic needs of students.
- Communicate regularly with students, parents/guardians, and school staff about available program activities including workshops, field trips, and virtual sessions.
- Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with school staff, including guidance counselors, administrators, teachers, and other school staff.
- With Director, revise programming to incorporate new academic workshops to support student success, and as needed restructure components of the summer program to maximize academic strengths of students, as well as plan and organize college visits, virtual and/live information sessions, and career speakers aligned to student interests.
- Maintain working knowledge of grant objectives and regulations.
- Maintain appropriate grant documentation, including logs of student services and records of student academic progress.
- Participate in professional organizations and attend state and regional conferences in applicable areas (i.e. maintains a working knowledge of assigned area; maintains current knowledge of applicable state, federal, and local laws/regulations; researches new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; participates in professional organizations; attends workshops and training sessions).
Job Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Organizational Behavior, Sociology, Liberal Arts, or closely related field;
- Two (2) years experience and/or training involving public education, college admissions, academic advisement, or customer service; or
- An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Equivalency Statement
Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.
Additional Information
Campus Title: TRIO Talent Search College Access Advisor
Salary: $58,979.00 - $61,218.00 Grant Limitations ** 80% ETS 20% Early College Academy
Actual Salary determined by education, experience, and any applicable grant limitations per the collective bargaining agreement. Applicants should be aware it is unlikely the salary will be at or near the top of the range.
This position is supported by two separate funding sources: 80% federal TRIO funding and 20% Massachusetts Early College state funding. The continued level of employment associated with this position is contingent upon the continued availability of both funding sources. If either funding source is eliminated, the position will be reduced by the percentage of time supported by that funding source. Any such adjustment will be implemented in accordance with applicable College policies and collective bargaining requirements.
Grade: 3
Employee Status: Full Time
Benefits: Yes
Hours per Week: 37.5, Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm occasional evenings/weekends
Number of Weeks: 52
Mount Wachusett 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, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.