Job Description

Posting number: 202600054

Department: Academic Affairs

Division: James Kerney Campus

Job classification: Education Specialist - Talent Search

Posting type: External

Categories: Clerical & Data Entry, Education, Miscellaneous, Student Services, Higher Education, Education, Training & Library, Teacher

Summary

If you're exploring new career opportunities or seeking a dynamic and supportive work environment, consider Mercer County Community College (MCCC). As a publicly supported institution committed to open access and student success, MCCC strives to attract, retain, and support a highly skilled and collaborative workforce—our most valuable asset.

At Mercer, campus culture and belonging are celebrated, and our sense of community is deeply rooted in both our mission and daily practices. With two distinct campuses—the James Kerney Campus in the heart of Trenton and our expansive 292-acre West Windsor Campus just six miles away—MCCC offers the benefits of a robust institution with the close-knit feel of a true community.

In addition to meaningful work and a supportive culture, employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes credit course tuition waivers for themselves, their spouses, and dependents—making higher education more accessible for the whole family. With 69 degree programs and 35 credit certificate options, there are countless ways to grow with us—both personally and professionally.

JOB DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director, the Education Specialist actively recruits and engages Trenton middle school and high school participants. Provides academic, career, and financial aid counseling through one-on-one advising, group workshops, and targeted outreach events. Additionally plans, coordinates, and leads college exploration and enrichment opportunities, such as campus tours, enrichment activities, and educational field trips.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.

• Actively recruits eligible students by distributing and collecting program applications, verifying eligibility per program regulations, re-registering returning participants annually, and meeting established recruitment benchmarks.
• Reviews interviews, transcripts, report cards, and assessment data to identify low-income, first-generation students with the potential to succeed in higher education.
• Provides individual counseling to address academic, personal, or social barriers that may impact student progress and success.
• Advises students on course and program selection, class scheduling, study strategies, postsecondary pathways, and career exploration.
• Conducts follow-up meetings with students to assess ongoing needs, monitor progress, and adjust support plans as necessary.
• Collaborates with parents/guardians, teachers, school counselors, and school administrators to resolve concerns affecting academic achievement.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises educational trips, enrichment activities, and college/university visits to enhance students’ exposure and readiness.
• Delivers regular presentations to schools, community organizations, and social service agencies to promote program awareness and student engagement.
• Provides guidance and support to new program counselors to ensure consistent delivery of services.
• Assists in the planning and implementation of overall program operations, activities, and student services.
• Contributes to determining effective program delivery methods and approaches to enhance student outcomes.
• Coordinates activities with internal staff, external consultants, faculty, and volunteers to support program goals.
• Assists in the development and distribution of program materials, including flyers, newsletters, and brochures.
• Maintains accurate records and databases related to student participation, academic progress, and program activities.
• Attends meetings and prepares weekly progress reports as well as other required documentation.
• Recommends purchases of equipment, educational materials, and supplies to support program initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

BENEFITS

https://www.mccc.edu/hr/employees/benefits.shtml

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position may require travel to local schools and a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends.

(Please note that assigned tasks and responsibilities on both campuses is required for all MCCC positions and should be established with applicants)

ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Positions in this class typically require: ability to use a key board, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. (e.g., projectors, laptops, materials) as needed.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Examples of duties

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to effectively represent the program at schools, conferences, meetings, and seminars through presentations, outreach, and professional engagement.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with students, parents, schools, and community partners.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and ability to learn program-related technology tools.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and timely reports and correspondence.
• Strong communication and presentation skills; ability to represent the program effectively at schools, meetings, and conferences.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Counseling or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Two (2) years of direct experience advising and counseling students on academic planning, college readiness, and pathways into postsecondary education.
• Experience in working with economically and educationally disadvantaged youth
• Demonstrated experience recruiting middle school and high school students for academic programs and support services.

Qualifications

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Counseling or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Prior work experience in an urban school district or higher education such as a community college.

Supplemental information

CORE COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies

Adaptability: Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.

Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization.

Customer Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.

Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

Belonging: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches.

Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.

Contributing to Team Success: Actively participating as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.

Culture and Belonging: Working with situations involving different cultures/languages and responding to the ambiguity of unexpected/unfamiliar approaches

Student Focus: Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one’s actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.

Mercer County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, age, disability, handicap or other legally protected status in its provision of employment, education, and activities, or other services. Mercer County Community College is an EEO/AAP Employer/Protected Veteran/Disabled.

Disclaimer: This job description outlines the general nature and key features performed by various positions that share the same job classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and qualifications required of all employees assigned to the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or re-assign duties to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodations or other business reasons.