Retention Counselor - CORE @ HCC - Transition to College bei Holyoke Community College, MA

About the Department

The Retention Counselor will work to facilitate academic pathways for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, as well as students who identify as justice impacted.

Under the supervision of the Assistant Vice President of Adult Education and Workforce Development, the Retention Counselor will perform recruitment and advisement of justice-impacted college students. Focusing specifically on justice-impacted students, the Counselor will be responsible for advising students on degree/career programs, assisting students with the admissions process, and assisting in developing/implementing outreach strategies for recruitment of students, and recruiting prospective students. Performs related work as directed.

Position Duties

• Hold weekly office hours in the CORE Lounge.
• Recruits students for academic programs (i.e. – plans, schedules, and/or conducts on-campus and off-campus recruitment events such as information sessions, fairs, panels, open houses, workshops, and campus tours; coordinates new student orientation events; motivates, plans, develops, and organizes community outreach programs; identifies new target populations and agencies/businesses; connects with interested students via phone, email and text; travels to off-site locations; distributes promotional material; facilitates setup and breakdown of events).
• Assists in developing, coordinating, and implementing outreach plans, objectives, and strategies for recruitment of students (assists in developing/implementing new programs, services, and activities; assists in coordinating/implementing joint ventures between the college and community groups by hosting intercultural events; assists in designing/developing recruitment brochures/materials; researches successful recruitment strategies of other institutions).
• Performs administrative tasks associated with CORE @ HCC and recruitment activities (i.e. – receives or refers to statistical data, enrollment lists, curriculum sheets, college catalogs, student schedules, student records, financial aid forms, handbooks, policies, procedures, and reference material; operates a computer and utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, or other software programs).
• Interacts with various agencies/individuals (i.e. – attends meetings/events, serves on committees, and makes presentations; establishes/maintains liaisons with justice-involved student populations; refers students to other offices/agencies as appropriate; communicates with other departments, faculty members, students, school officials, correctional counselors, community groups, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals to coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems; researches problems, and initiates problem resolution).
• Maintains professional knowledge 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; participates in professional organizations; attends workshops and training sessions).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

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. 
• Energetic and conscientious individual who is capable through education and lived experience — of providing a supportive and positive environment for adults returning from incarceration.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Interest in the criminal legal system and carceral education.
• The ability to respond with sensitivity to multiple stakeholders.
• Solid understanding of, and investment in, the mission of CORE @ HCC.
• Experience with peer mentoring and tutoring programs.
• Ability to work independently and/or as a team member.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.

• Formerly incarcerated candidates or candidates with lived experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Experience working in an academic setting.
• Experience and knowledge of local Hampden and Hampshire County carceral systems.

Other Qualifications

Part-time, Non-Benefitted MCCC Unit Position

• Hourly Rate: $35.31/hour;
• Hours:  12.5 hrs./week maximum;
• Funding:  College/Grant (TCC).