TRIO Learning Specialist (Full-Time, 12 Month Position)

Inside Higher Ed

Lowell (MA)

On-site

USD 63,836 - 78,021

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

High-quality health insurance

Tuition benefits for employees and dependents

Paid holidays and competitive vacation time

Job summary

A community college in Lowell, MA is seeking a TRIO Learning Specialist to assist students with disabilities. In this full-time role, you will provide academic and career advising while promoting independent learning. Essential qualifications include a Master's degree and related experience in disability services. The position offers a starting salary of $70,929 and a range of employee benefits.

Qualifications

Master's degree required in Special Education, Education Psychology, Counseling or related field.
At least 1 year of related disability services experience.
Ability to work with students in-person and through online platforms.

Responsibilities

Instruct in study and learning strategies.
Conduct intake interviews and create service plans.
Assist with financial aid and scholarship applications.

Skills

Understanding of ADAAA/Section 504

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Master's degree in Special Education or related field

Tools

Student Access database

Job description

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Category:: Full-time Staff

Subscribe::

Department:: Student Affairs - Student Support Services

Locations:: Lowell, MA

Posted:: Aug 20, 2025

Closes:: Sep 10, 2025 - 11:59 PM EDT

Type:: Full-time

Position ID:: 191911

About Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education to prepare individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a work environment where our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.

Job Description

Title: TRIO Learning Specialist (Full-Time, 12 Month Position) (Federally Grant Funded)

Unit: MCCC Full-Time Professional Staff

Department: Student Affairs, Student Support Services, TRIO Program for Student Achievement (PSA)

Reports to: Director of TRIO Program for Student Achievement

Date: August 20, 2025

General Summary: The TRIO Learning Specialist (12 month) is a member of the TRIO Program for Student Achievement team which uses a caseload model in a non-therapeutic setting to provide academic, career, transfer, financial aid and personal advising to 100 program participants, 100% of whom are students with documented disabilities. In service to TRIO grant objectives of good academic standing, retention, progress to graduation and transfer to four-year institutions, this position will:

Essential Job Functions

Instruct in study and learning strategies to promote independent learning and encourage students to develop a systematic approach to studying that will serve them throughout their coursework.
Provide academic and career advising and assist in the course selection and registration process.
Support students in accessing and implementing accommodations.
Conduct intake interviews, reviews application materials, and creates a customized service plan for each student.
Participate in program specific recruitment activities within the college.
Outreach to students who may be experiencing academic difficulties as determined by academic deficiency grades, early alert system and class withdrawals and make appropriate referrals to college and community resources.
Assist with financial aid and scholarship application process including assistance in applying for educational funds from sources at MCC, potential transfer institutes and other funding sources.
Maintain student advisor log and record student contacts using Student Access database, Navigate and other college platforms.
Manage and implement the TRIO PSA Early Awareness process.
Maintain awareness of current issues supporting students with disabilities in post-secondary settings.
Attend training sessions and meetings including professional development opportunities.
Assist in the development of and presentation of skill building workshops for program participants such as time management, project management, resume writing, financial literacy.
Provide support for TRIO PSA program goals in the areas of financial literacy information and education.
Write letters of recommendation for participants for awards, scholarship, fellowship, and employment opportunities, and as part of the transfer process.
Offers comprehensive transfer planning, including campus visits, college fairs, and applying for educational funds from sources at MCC, potential transfer institutes and other funding sources.
Assist students in writing requirements including but not limited to: scholarship applications, financial aid appeals, college essays, resumes, and cover letters.
Attend TRIO program staff meetings as well as in-services and education programs relevant to job performance.
Conduct exit interviews with students who complete, transfer or discontinue enrollment.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with multiple college offices and departments including Student Access and Support Services, Academic Centers for Enrichment, Admissions, Advising, Financial Aid/ Student Accounts, Veterans Resource Center, Wellness and Essential Needs and with external agencies as appropriate.
Provide direct services as a case manager to program participants.
Provide 1:1 support in metacognitive strategies during tutoring sessions.
Provide 1:1 support in time management, organizational and study skills, test taking strategies, and self-advocacy.
Provide 1:1 support to students to assist with college readiness skills, address academic challenges, activities that promote college retention and support in academic areas
Build strong advising relationships, monitors students' progress toward individual and program goals, making referrals to appropriate college resources.

Requirements

Master's degree required in Special Education, Education Psychology, Counseling or related field.
At least 1 years of related disability services experience in training/teaching/providing direct service in a secondary or postsecondary environment
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be substituted for the required Master's Degree
Demonstrated understanding and /or developing knowledge of ADAAA/Section 504 of Rehab Act, with knowledge of disability documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated knowledge of outreach, recruitment, and intervention services and strategies that address the needs of individuals with disabilities including Mental Health, Learning Disabilities, and Psycho-Social disabilities.
Demonstrated ability to develop and apply tutoring methods to engage individuals of diverse learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds.
Ability to work with students in-person and through online platforms.
Ability to provide clear and concise explanations.
Strong time management, organizational and communication skills.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Confidence and proficiency with computers and technology are necessary.
Excellent skills in interpersonal relationships; ability to effectively collaborate and communicate with college students and colleagues.
Bilingual skills a plus.

Additional Information

This position is supported through federal grant funding. While the college is fully committed to the success of this program, continued employment in this role is contingent upon ongoing grant funding. Should federal funding change in the future, the position may be impacted.

Salary Range: $70,929 is the starting salary with a Master's Degree; actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:

High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Location: Lowell campus with occasional travel to Bedford as needed

Hours: 37.5 per week, schedule to be determined upon hire. This position will be eligible for a maximum of one day of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.

Expected Start Date: October 2025

Application Deadline: September 10, 2025

Application Instructions

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

Cover Letter
Resume
Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Pre-Employment Requirements

The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

All offers of employment at Middlesex Community College are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates, as deemed necessary.

Middlesex 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 do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at careers@middlesex.mass.edu.

Seniority level