Academic Counselor for Gateway to College & On-Site Dual Enrollment

Academic Counselor for Gateway to College & On-Site Dual Enrollment Category: Professional Subscribe: New Job Alerts RSS Job Feed Department: Gateway to College Locations: Worcester, MA Posted: May 22, 2026 Closes: Jun 12, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT Type: Full-time Position ID: 200809 Share About Quinsigamond Community College: Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) is a premier learning community recognized for teaching and learning excellence, relevant and responsive programming, student success, and community outreach and impact. The College serves over 9,500 full- and part-time, day and evening students each year. It offers 112 associate degrees and certificates in Business, Hospitality Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Education, Healthcare, Human Services, Criminal Justice, Liberal Arts, Mathematics, Biotechnology, Automotive Technology, and General Studies. The College also offers a wide variety of non-credit courses, workshops, and corporate trainings through its Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education as well as adult basic education and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes through its Adult Community Learning Center. A number of courses are offered online, remote and blended to meet the needs of our diverse students. The College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Inc. (NECHE), an indication that the institution has been stringently evaluated and found to meet high standards. QCC is the gateway to advanced educational and employment opportunities in Central Massachusetts. It is a public, student-centered institution of higher learning whose mission is to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality education and training programs and services that are relevant and responsive to diverse regional and student needs. The College helps move students towards family-sustaining employment and rewarding career opportunities. Job Description: General Statement Using developmental advising as the foundation, the Academic Counselor for Gateway to College & On-Site Dual Enrollment is responsible for activities pertaining to academic advisement, support, and assessment. The Academic Counselor collaborates on developing and delivering co-curricular programming for all high school students. This may include but not be limited to students enrolled in Gateway to College (GTC), Attend College Early (ACE), and select Early College Pathways students pursuing on-campus coursework. The Academic Counselor will provide academic advisement to a caseload of students. He/she/they will collaborate with departments across campus to plan, conduct, and/or participate in academic programs and workshops to support student persistence, retention, and success. The Academic Counselor will collaborate to ensure consistent support for students and will perform administrative tasks associated with programmatic activities. Supervision Received Reports directly to the Executive Director of High School Dual Enrollment Programs and Partnerships. Supervision Exercised Supervises work-study students and student mentors. Duties and Responsibilities Use the developmental advising approach and employ proactive and sustained outreach strategies to ensure the success of a caseload of students enrolled in an alternative pathway to high school graduation, promoting their persistence through completion, and/or transfer to a college degree or certificate program. Perform all functions related to supporting on-site high school students as they complete their education requirements. Functions include, but may not be limited to individual and group advising sessions, career exploration and academic planning, diploma audit consultations, short- and long-term goal planning, early alert monitoring and follow-up, articulation of policies and procedures, collaboration with faculty and program advisors, course selection, and registration, etc. Maintain professional knowledge in the field, research new trends and advances in the profession, read professional literature and attend workshops and training sessions. Research and identify best practices in the field of student support services, academic advising, mentoring, retention, and persistence initiatives. Collaborates with the Dean, Executive Director of High School Dual Enrollment Programs and Partnerships, the Gateway to College and Onsite Dual Enrollment Program Specialist and others as appropriate on the implementation of best practices with a focus on continuous program improvement. Collect, analyze, and report data, internally and externally, associated with the persistence and retention of all students enrolled in an alternative pathway to high school graduation. Collaborates with the Dean, Executive Director of High School Dual Enrollment Programs and Partnerships, the Gateway to College and Onsite Dual Enrollment Program Specialist and with Institutional Research on refining/enhancing program strategies and practices based upon this data. Collaborate with program team in building meaningful relationships with students by creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where every individual feels a sense of belonging. Conduct individual and group developmental advising sessions to provide support for academic and personal concerns, create action plans for success, and maintain all relevant records to student profiles and progress. Motivate and encourage students through day-to-day interactions and discussions, and regular follow-up on action plan progress and/or when an academic alert is raised by a faculty member. Identify risk factors and appropriate interventions, with an emphasis on student strengths, retention, and persistence. Address and diffuse situations of conflict and crisis and make appropriate referrals when needed. Proactively collaborate with other departments to recognize and resolve identified patterns of concern with students. Create linkages among academic and student support programs/services to build a holistic network that provides options, referrals, and alternative solutions for students facing obstacles and challenges. Collaborate with campus and community-based resources to provide responsive wrap-around services for students. Create, implement, and facilitate workshops, events, and information sessions; develop and deliver programs and activities designed to cultivate academic self-confidence, community engagement, 21st-century life skills, and self-advocacy amongst caseload students; foster a community of support by celebrating the cultural wealth our students bring to the College. Coordinate with other offices to provide workshops around career exploration/development, college decision days and next steps, and other opportunities suitable for high school students. Assist in the development and delivery of parent and student orientation programs in fall and spring semesters. Work to ensure students have textbooks and materials in a timely manner. Identify, evaluate, and accept eligible participants; perform needs and/or study skills assessments and create individual education plans for each student; provide/interpret education needs inventory instruments; assess skills of students; recruit students; assist in referring students for child-care services; collaborate with program specialist to report program participation and student performance per requirements of grant. Implement retention efforts and success initiatives. Participate in annual evaluation of performance of duties. Attend regional events related to high school dual enrollment. Actively support the teaching and learning process; practice honesty and integrity in and out of the classroom; strive to create a student-centered environment while fostering academic innovation and excellence. Work with other departments (Admissions, Registrar, Business Office and Advising) to ensure that credit for prior learning and related activity is in compliance with general QCC policy and procedures. Embrace and support the principle that "diversity is everybody's business" through the daily performance of duties and responsibilities. Provide flexible, responsive, and high-quality customer service to all whom we serve, be they students, community or staff, and continuously assesses processes and procedures to revise accordingly. Perform other duties as assigned Requirements: Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in education, counseling, psychology, or closely related field with three (3) years of experience and/or training involving high school guidance / adjustment counseling, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Demonstrated ability to work as a contributing and supportive member of a high-functioning Team of professionals. Demonstrated ability to remain calm and supportive during stressful situations and periods of demanding workloads. Comprehensive computer and related technology skills, including web-based resources. Experience managing a caseload and case files. Preferred Qualifications Bilingual or multicultural, Spanish language fluency preferred. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to work with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. Demonstrated experience in successfully building positive relationships, motivating, and supporting under-prepared and culturally diverse youth. Experience assessing student needs and coordinating culturally competent educational and community-based services. Experience establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse colleagues and partners. Possess knowledge of current research-based interventions with under-prepared and under-represented students. Experience with Gateway to College, TRIO, or other Student Support Services programs Experience working at a comprehensive community college. Experience with high school guidance counselor responsibilities. Experience with project management, event planning, and/or coordination of programs. Additional Information: Quinsigamond Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, 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. Quinsigamond Community College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. Diversity, inclusion, and equity are core values at Quinsigamond Community College. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and equitable environment for all students, staff, and faculty. Every member on our college campus enriches our diversity. We support inclusion and are dedicated to ensuring equity in access to opportunities. Quinsigamond Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful applicants will be required to complete a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI/SORI) request. Application Instructions: Salary is competitive and commensurate with MCCC salary schedule and dependent upon such factors as education and experience. Minimum starting salary for a Grade 5 (Academic Counselor) with Bachelor's Degree is $66,242-$68,759 with a Master's Degree is $67,294-69,849 and includes a comprehensive benefits package. 37.5 hours per week. Evening and weekend hours may be included. **Actual salary will be determined in accordance with classification determination of MCCC/MTA salary schedule commensurate with education and experience. This is an11 month per year position. The employee will be out of the office annually, beginning the last week of June and return in the third week of July. Exact dates determined with and approved by the direct supervisor. Hours: When classes are in session, the hours for the position are Monday - Thursday, 10am to 6pm and Friday 8am to 4pm. When classes are not in session, the employee may request permission to change their hours to 8am to 4pm. Working an occasional weekend may be required. Visit our Web Site at www.qcc.edu/human-resources for information about our positions. All applicants must apply online by submitting: Resume Cover Letter Names and contact information for three (3) professional references 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. Quinsigamond 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 don't have access to a computer, please visit Human Resources Office Monday- Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Quinsigamond Community College understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office ... or ... .