Northeast Arc is looking for a compassionate, creative College Support Specialist to empower college students with Autism and/or Developmental Disabilities as they take on campus life in Lowell, MA If you’re passionate about inclusion, education, and helping young adults thrive, this role offers the chance to make a direct and lasting difference.
You’ll work 1:1 with students as they transition into and navigate college—supporting their academic success, independence, and confidence. Your work may include:
Guiding students through class registration, financial aid steps, and academic planning
Helping students access and understand essential campus resources
Teaching weekly skill-building lessons (goal setting, time management, understanding a syllabus, career exploration, etc.)
Supporting students with coursework completion and organization
Assisting with employment readiness: resumes, cover letters, and job search strategies
Collaborating with families, service providers, and college staff
Providing coaching in communication, social skills, personal independence, and community engagement
Maintaining accurate documentation and completing required reports
Offering resources and guidance to students and families as needed
Pay: $23.50–$31.50/hour (based on education & experience)
Type: Per Diem
Hours: 2–3 hours per client per week; up to 20 hours/week depending on client needs and your availability
Flexibility: May include evenings or weekends
Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Special Education, or related field
Master's degree preferred
2–3 years of experience supporting individuals with Developmental Disabilities (Autism experience preferred)
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Comfort with technology for documentation and timekeeping
Valid driver’s license and ability to pass CORI/SORI checks
Ability to stand for extended periods and lift up to 40 lbs
This role is community-based, with support provided in students’ homes, on college campuses, and in the surrounding community. Travel for work-related activities is required.
Northeast Arc (NeArc) changes lives for people with disabilities and autism — and children at risk of developing them — and their families. The agency, which opened the Center for Linking Lives at Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers in 2020, serves thousands of people in nearly 200 Massachusetts cities and towns each year. NeArc is the largest Arc in the state of Massachusetts and one of the largest in the country. Services include: Adult Family Care, the ArcWorks Community Art Center, Autism Services, Black Box Theater, Breaking Grounds Café, Continuous Care Nursing Services, Day Habilitation, Deaf Services, Early Intervention, Employment Services, Family Support, The Learning Center Childcare and Preschool, parcels retail store, Personal Care Assistance, Recreation, Residential, Shared Living and Transition, and Skilled Intermittent Home Health Care.
