ESOL Career Development Counselor - Holyoke

Holyoke-Community-College; Holyoke (MA); Hybrid; USD 24,859,000 - 26,174,000; Part time

Job summary

Holyoke Community College seeks a part-time Career Development Counselor to support ESOL students in grant-funded, non-credit classes. The role focuses on advising, workshop facilitation, and technology support to help students persist and reach educational goals.

Responsibilities include one-on-one career assessment, development of career plans, and collaboration with instructors and staff. Bilingual ability preferred; daytime, in-person hours with some Zoom team meetings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in counseling/education/human resources or related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Team player with ability to work independently.
• Understanding of barriers faced by low-income populations and adult learners.
• Ability to work with diverse faculty, staff, and students.
• Equivalency statements welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Provide ESOL career advising to diverse adults at off-campus centers.
• Conduct workshops on career exploration, goal setting, and job search.
• Develop career plans and make referrals to resources.
• Maintain regular contact to support growth and expectations.
• Collaborate with ESOL instructors and program staff as part of a team.
• Track participant outcomes per state guidelines.
• Provide basic technology support to students (Chromebook, Zoom, Canvas).
• Offer support in Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese if possible.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Diversity awareness

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education, Human Resources, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Job description

Provides educational and career counseling and case management services to ESOL students in grant-funded, non-credit classes. Supports student persistence and achievement of goals, and collaborates with instructors in accordance with ESOL advising curriculum to provide classroom workshops aligned with student needs. Supports students with development of basic technology skills and troubleshooting, enabling participation in class.

Career Development Counselor should be available at the time classes meet:

1. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9am-1pm - in person
2. Team meetings Wednesdays 4-5:30 (by Zoom).

9.5 hour/week position

1. Approaches students through asset-based lens, noticing the strengths they bring to the program and building on those strengths. Develops strong relationships, trust, and proactive communication with all students on case-load.
2. Supports students in achieving strong engagement in class, attendance, and persistence over time through regular follow-up, needs assessment and connection to resources, and communication of program expectations.
3. Provides one-on-one career assessment, development, planning, and career advising services to a diverse population at off-campus adult learning centers.
4. Conducts workshops and group advising on career exploration, goal setting, job search, and other career-related topics.
5. Collaborates effectively with other career development counselors, ESOL instructors, and other program staff to provide an integrated teaching and advising services to assist adult learners in identifying, planning for, and attaining career and educational goals.
6. Maintains consistent contact with participants to support their growth.
7. Works with participants to develop a career plan with pathways to future advancement.
8. Makes referrals to appropriate agencies (educational, training, employment, etc.)
9. Collects and tracks student outcome information related to Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Adult Basic Education guidelines, including follow-up data post-exit.
10. Provides basic technology trouble-shooting and support to students: use of chromebooks, Zoom, Canvas, HCC email, and class tools (eg online textbook supplements).
11. If possible, provides support in Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese or another language spoken by students.
12. Collaborates with ESOL instructors, other job placement/career development counselors, and program directors as part of a creative team, finding opportunities for further development and continuous improvement of programs. Works closely with partner-agency staff as applicable.
13. Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Education, Human Resources, or closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Experienced team player with the ability to also work independently;
• Knowledge of the basic work skills required by employers;
• Understanding of the barriers faced by low income populations, immigrants and refugees, and adult language learners;
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse faculty, staff, and student body;
• Equivalency Statement: We welcome and encourage applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above, to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position. It is preferred that this document be uploaded separately from the resume, cover letter, and references. Preferred Qualifications:
  • Two (2) years of experience and/or training involving career counseling, recruitment, or counseling;
  • Demonstrated outcomes in program recruitment and/or job placement, with a diverse population;
  • TESOL experience or certification;
  • Experience with internationally-trained immigrant professionals, and pathways for recredentialing and career development;
  • Bi-lingual preferred (Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Turkish, Vietnamese, Dari, Pashto, Ukrainian, Russian, or a language spoken by students preferred).

Part-Time, Non-Benefitted MCCC Unit Position:

Hourly Rate:$36.551/hour.

Hours: 9.5 hours/week, daytime position

Funding: Grant