Middle School Advisor, TRIO Talent Search / GEAR UP (Grades 6-8) - Middlesex Community College in Lowell, Massachusetts at Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College
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Position Title: Middle School Advisor, TRIO Talent Search / GEAR UP (Grades 6-8) - Middlesex Community College

Location: Lowell, MA Category: Full-time Staff Job Type: Full-time Posted On: Thu Sep 24 2026 Job Description:

Title: Middle School Advisor, TRiO Talent Search / GEAR UP (Grades 6-8)

Unit: Full-Time MCCC Professional Staff, Grade 05, Academic Counselor

Department: K-16 Partnerships

Reports to: Assistant Dean of K-16 Partnerships

Date: September 24, 2026

General Summary: The primary goals of the Middlesex Community College TRIO Talent Search and GEAR UP Massachusetts programs are to prepare middle and high school students for postsecondary education programs that lead to successful careers. The objectives of the programs are completion of a rigorous program of study, secondary school retention and graduation, postsecondary enrollment, and postsecondary graduation.

The TRIO Talent Search and Gear Up advisor position requires a self-directed and motivated individual who has the potential to work with a highly functioning urban middle school in Lowell, Massachusetts.

This position coordinates the day-to-day activities of both programs at the assigned partner middle school, providing direct service to approximately 275 students yearly in the areas of academic, career, and personal advising. The Advisor provides guidance and support ? along with academic enrichment and educational field trips ? to low-income and/or first-generation-to-college middle school participants, and serves as the primary liaison between MCC Talent Search/GEAR UP program staff, target school administration and staff, parents/guardians, and students. The Advisor also lays the groundwork for students' later transition into high school, including early exposure to the college enrollment and financial aid process that Talent Search and GEAR UP advisors will guide them through in subsequent grades.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive array of outreach and intervention services for an assigned caseload of students from low-income and first-generation-to-college backgrounds.
• Recruit at the assigned middle school and maintain the grant-funded number of students within the appropriate low-income/first-generation ratio to support the Talent Search and GEAR UP grants' goals for students served.
• Assist students in achieving strong academic performance while completing a rigorous course of study by tracking the academic progress of all program participants and using academic records (e.g., report cards, transcripts, MCAS/state assessment data) to determine the specific student services needed to prepare them for high school and college.
• Check in regularly ? at minimum weekly ? with students and target-school staff on academic progress, attendance, and behavior, and use case management to monitor and document students' academic and attendance outcomes, providing supportive outreach, intervention, and referral services as appropriate.
• Provide and coordinate tutoring sessions and academic programming, including high-dosage tutoring options, based on the academic needs of students and the target school.
• Communicate regularly with students, parents/guardians, and school staff about available program activities, including workshops, field trips, and virtual sessions.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships with school staff, including guidance counselors, administrators, teachers, and other school personnel, as well as with the Assistant Dean of K-16 Partnerships and the Talent Search/GEAR UP Program Coordinators and Advisors.
• Use appropriate technology tools, including program data-management systems, in the implementation and documentation of program services.
• Develop resources and provide advocacy for students; conduct student and parent/guardian surveys.
• Conduct workshops and seminars for students and families related to school success, high school and college planning, career interest inventories, and financial literacy.
• Meet with all students in the assigned caseload to provide the appropriate blend of contact services delineated in the TRiO Talent Search and GEAR UP grant proposals.
• Participate in the planning and supervision of field trips and college campus tours.
• Work collaboratively with the 9th Grade Advisor to develop and implement a detailed plan of services supporting the 8th-to-9th-grade transition for rising ninth graders, including workshops on high school success and rigorous programs of study.
• Develop relationships with colleges and other youth-serving organizations in the community.
• Initiate, prepare, and follow up on special events and activities that support student, family, and school-staff commitment to academic success, school persistence, and early awareness of postsecondary opportunity.
• Actively participate in Middlesex Community College-Lowell Public Schools partnership initiatives undertaken with the K-16 Partnerships Department.
• Monitor and evaluate advising and support services for progress and performance against project goals and objectives; assist with the preparation of reports and grant materials for the College and funding agencies.
• Maintain working knowledge of grant objectives, regulations, and performance measures for both Talent Search and GEAR UP.
• Administer efficient record-keeping and data-management/reporting systems ? including logs of student services and records of student academic progress ? to document services in compliance with project requirements and performance objectives.
• Ensure compliance with risk- and liability-avoidance measures established by the College.
• Participate in professional organizations and attend state and regional conferences in applicable areas; maintain current knowledge of relevant state, federal, and local laws and regulations; read professional literature and attend workshops and mandated professional development.
• Represent the Assistant Dean as necessary for Pre-College TRIO and GEAR UP program activities and events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, or a closely related field, with three (3) years of experience and/or training that includes college admissions, academic advisement, career development, or program/project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in educational programs serving low-income and first-generation-to-college students and families.
• Demonstrated knowledge of outreach and intervention strategies that address middle-to-high-school transition challenges and other barriers facing urban youth from low-income and first-generation-to-college backgrounds.
• Confidence and proficiency with computers and technology, including 21st-century tools that support in-person and remote programming.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with the multiple constituencies encountered in school and college programming; strong written and oral communication skills; demonstrated success as a team player and as a self-starter capable of independent leadership in middle school outreach programming.
• Cultural awareness and competency in working with individuals of diverse socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, and academic backgrounds and varying physical and learning abilities.
• Ability to adapt to unanticipated outcomes for events and programming.
• Bilingual skills a plus.

Additional Information:

This position is supported through federal grant funding (TRIO Talent Search and GEAR UP Massachusetts grants (50%/50%). 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: $73,412 is the starting salary of an MCCC grade 05 position, 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 Public Schools, partner middle school (Butler Middle School), Lowell, MA.

Hours: : 37.5 hours per week; schedule to be determined upon hire. Occasional evenings and weekends are expected to support school events, family workshops, and field trips.

Expected Start Date: November 2026

Application Deadline: October 15, 2026