OFFICIAL JOB TITLE:  Counselor                                         

DIVISION:  Academic Affairs

DEPARTMENT:  College Now

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS:  ESU, Cat. 12                     

FLSA STATUS:  EXEMPT

REPORTS TO:  Director of College Now

SUPERVISES: Functional supervision of student program activities and student workers

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION:  The Counselor for College Now supports a diverse student population from the point of deposit onward, providing holistic, evidence-based counseling and academic support. The Counselor is responsible for fostering student retention and persistence by implementing best practices in student success, collaborating with campus partners, and utilizing student success metrics to inform continuous improvement. The Counselor works closely with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and other campus resources to ensure comprehensive support for all program participants

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage a student counseling caseload, providing individual and group advising, academic coaching, and personal support using evidence-based and equity-minded practices to promote retention, engagement, and academic success.
• Develop, implement, and assess student-centered programming, such as workshops, seminars, and community-building events that promote academic skill-building, self-empowerment, and a sense of belonging, utilizing current best practices in student engagement and support.
• Monitor and report on student success metrics—including retention, academic progress, engagement rates, and graduation rates—to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement efforts. Collaborate with Academic Affairs, faculty, Student Affairs, and campus resource centers to connect students with campus services and address barriers to success and degree completion.
• Utilize student success and retention reports and tools to identify students at risk of falling behind in their academic programs, coordinate timely, individualized interventions, and track outcomes.
• Maintain thorough records on student interactions, counseling sessions, and progress, and contribute to program assessment and institutional effectiveness efforts.
• Participate in the planning, development, and implementation of all phases of the College Now Program, including orientation, academic programming, the annual banquet, and ongoing support initiatives.
• Provide functional supervision and mentorship to student workers and peer mentors, fostering their professional growth and leadership development.
• Represent the College Now program in university committees, planning groups, and partnership meetings focused on student success and retention.
• Instruct the first-year experience course which includes transition support to university expectations and academic skill and community building curriculum.
• Stay current with national best practices and emerging trends in student success, retention, and inclusive excellence, integrating these approaches into program design and delivery.
• Actively participates in training and professional development opportunities provided to staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned to advance the mission and goals of the College Now program

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• EDUCATION: Master’s degree in counseling or related field.
• EXPERIENCE: Previous counseling/advising experience.  Previous experience in a post-secondary academic or student support program with some administrative duties. 
• OTHER:  Available during peak periods of the program activity to include occasional Saturday, Sunday or evening work (such as during testing, Program Banquet, Experience UMD, Open House, or College Now Freshmen Orientation).  Local and regional travel required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Working knowledge of regional high schools, community organizations, associations and programs relevant to the mission, goals and objectives of the College Now Program.
• Experience teaching a diverse student population

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Demonstrated ability and commitment to working with students from underserved populations.
• Ability to understand and relate to underrepresented students.
• Ability to work with students on both an individual basis as well as in group settings.
• Ability to understand detailed university policies and procedures, communicating them to the public.
• Ability to facilitate the academic success of college students.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and public-speaking skills.

Note:  Other job-related duties and responsibilities may be assigned and/or job description changed periodically to reflect changing organizational needs.

SALARY: $52,756 - $65,945

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

• 75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• State Pension Retirement Plan
• Optional Retirement Savings Plans
• Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
• Twelve (12) paid holidays
• Paid personal, vacation, and sick time
• And More!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship is not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, a current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is August 2, 2025.

The review of internal and external applications will be ongoing until the position is filled.