2025 Summer Pre-Apprenticeship Education and Career Advisor

The Somerville Public Schools Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE) is seeking a summer Pre-Apprenticeship Education and Career Advisor to join the team to support the educational and career goals of our summer PACMAN learners.

SUMMARY: The Education and Career Advisor will report to the Director of Continuing Education and will advise adult learners enrolled in SCALE programming. The ECA will maintain a caseload of students; advises and supports students in the formulation of education and career goals and transition plans; attainment of a high school credential development of digital skills enrollment in postsecondary education identification of postsecondary education and work readiness skills education and preparation for the workforce.

Job Goal: The Summer Pre-Apprenticeship Education and Career Advisor in the Adult Basic Education Department at SCALE has a key role in ensuring that SCALE meets our goals for learners and for the program as a whole. The Education and Career Advisor (ECA) does intake and placement of students into ABE classes and supports them with basic academic and survival counseling and referrals. The ECA monitors learner progress and handles student issues that arise both in and outside of classes. The ECA works with all students to identify academic and career goals and supports teachers in implementing the job readiness portion of the curriculum.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Counseling or related field; ABE certification or Masters/Counseling certification preferred
• Two years successful and relevant counseling experience in adult education
• Experience working with adult learner population as well as the 16-21 year old adult population
• Experience working with trauma victims
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to effectively collaborate with students teachers and administrators
• Oral and aural fluency in Haitian Creole Portuguese or Spanish a plus
• Excellent organizational time management oral and written communication skills in English
• Excellent computer skills including MS Office suite internet/email and career development databases

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate intake testing and orientation of new learners.
• Place students appropriately so that classes are fully enrolled. Maintain full enrollment whenever possible.
• Provide academic basic survival and limited personal counseling for current students.
• Make referrals for psychological economic and other learner needs that present barriers to persistence and success.
• Maintain learner records including waitlists attendance intake assessment results evaluations and progress.
• Coordinate with program administrator in the creation and implementation of department counseling activities and procedures.
• Work with individual students and classes to create education and career plans that articulate each students academic and career goals with an action plan to attain those goals.
• Use Internet applications to support and deliver career exploration and job search services.
• Deliver advising workshops to inform and assist students with planning education and career activities including job readiness skills career exploration and job search; college and training program research selection and application.
• Organize and facilitate appropriate informational presentations for students about colleges careers immigration health care workers rights/safety and a variety of other topics.
• Supervise the acquisition maintenance and dissemination of information regarding college transition programs training programs career fields employment opportunities and specific employers for fulltime part-time internship and work-study opportunities.
• Act as a liaison between learners and teachers and between SCALE and outside agencies/providers particularly community partners.
• Work on learner retention and conduct follow-up as mandated by DESE/LACES system.
• Participate in department meetings and appropriate professional development activities.
• Communicate effectively with other counselor(s) teachers and program administrator(s) on student and program issues.
• Under the guidance of the Director initiate and contribute to work on projects in curriculum development operations funding proposals and/or community relations.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining the goals philosophy and policies of SCALE.
• Perform other miscellaneous department and/or SCALE duties as deemed appropriate by the Director

Professional Abilities

• Professionalism in all areas of practice and all interactions with students and staff
• Commitment to the mission of SCALE
• Proven history of successful collaboration
• Flexible & adaptable
• Possess and model high standards for self and student work
• Solutions-based approach to dealing with identified needs problems and or conflict
• Willingness to take initiative and succeed in a fast-paced classroom/school environment while remaining calm and focused when faced with unexpected challenges
• Commitment to embrace the ideals of diversity and inclusiveness

Reports to: Director of Continuing Education

The Somerville Public School does not discriminate in its programs facilities or employment of educational opportunities on the basis of race color age religion disability pregnancy home status marital/civil union status sex/gender gender identity sexual orientation citizenship status place of birth national origin ancestry cultural identity genetics or military status and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation threat or harassment that demeans individuals group or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority