Education and Career Advisor - Essex County Sheriff's Department (Lawrence STAR)

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About Northern Essex Community College:

Northern Essex Community College (NECC) serves more than 5,000 students annually across its campuses in Haverhill and Lawrence, Massachusetts, conveniently located within easy reach of Boston and the scenic beaches and state parks of New England's coastline. Recognized as one of the 2026 Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges by NISOD (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development), NECC's success is driven by a mission-centered culture and a highly engaged workforce. As the first federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution in New England, NECC remains committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace that reflects and supports the communities it serves.

Rooted in the Merrimack Valley, NECC plays a vital role in strengthening the region through workforce development, expanded access to affordable higher education, increased degree attainment, and strong partnerships with businesses.

NECC employees are united by a shared commitment expanding access to educational opportunities, supporting students in completing their academic journey in a timely and equitable manner, and preparing graduates for long- term success in the workforce. The college invests in its people through ongoing professional development opportunities, collaborative leadership, and a supportive work environment.

Job Description:

POSITION: Full-Time Education & Career Advisor (Career Development Counselor): Essex County Sheriff's Department Lawrence STAR; position includes travel within the Essex County Sheriff's Office Continuum; MCCC/MTA Unit Professional Position; 37.5 hours/week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm, Tuesday, Thursday 12:00pm - 8:00pm; Pay Grade 4. This position is funded through general fund appropriations from the Essex County Sheriff's Department.

SUMMARY: The Advisor, who reports to the Assistant Director of Operations, will play a crucial role in supporting incarcerated and justice-involved individuals at the Essex County Sheriff's Department's carceral and/or reentry settings. They are responsible for providing comprehensive advising, assessment, and guidance to students throughout their educational and career journey.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Specific duties for this position include:

• Attend the mandatory 40-hour orientation session at the Middleton House of Corrections.
• Maintains a caseload of students across the ECSD continuum
• Document advising notes, intake data, attendance, and other required information in designated platforms.
• Orients, intakes, enrolls and assesses new students
• Monitor student progress and attendance, work with students to identify the positive and negative forces in their lives that support and hinder their persistence and success. Lead resolution efforts, including referrals to academic supports.
• Provide support for individual education and career planning, advising for post-secondary education/ training, and career opportunities.
• In collaboration with Learning Specialists, support students to develop Education and Career Plans
• Oversee and facilitate the Transition Planning process to ensure students have a comprehensive Transition Plan in place that supports their successful re-entry and transition after release from the correctional facility.
• Leads culturally responsive College and Career and Bridge to Work classes
• Refers and connects students to relevant education, vocation, and career planning community services
• Maintains and posts advising office hours for students
• Collaborates with instructor(s) to ensure that student goals and assessment results inform instruction
• Networks with local/regional employers and education providers to help students connect to employment opportunities
• Participates in required staff meetings, professional development
• Contribute to program planning and development activities
• Develops and maintains relationships with school districts to support student record retrieval and progress monitoring.
• Adheres to policies, procedures, assurances and timelines defined by federal and state grants, ESCD, and internal guidance documents
• Complies with ADA (American with Disabilities Act) to include Individualized Education Plans (IEP), accommodations/modifications approved by NECC, and policies and processes established by Special Education in Institutional Settings
• Demonstrates the ability to work as a member of a team and the capacity to work across departments and/or disciplines
• Engages with students both in housing units within correctional facilities and in community-based locations post-release, e.g. STAR (Supporting Transitions And Reentry)
• Collaborates with STAR staff to enhance and streamline student support efforts.
• Participates in an annual evaluation/performance review conducted by the Assistant Director of Operations
• Performs other duties as requested by the Assistant Director of Operations
• The Classification Specification is available at: https://www.mass.edu/shared/classificationspecs/specsmccc/Career Development Counselor - HB 1109.doc