NextGen Career Counselor- North Region

State of Massachusetts - Lowell, MA

Full-time - Entry Level

Lowell, MA

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The NextGen Career Counselor will play a vital role in supporting young adults with disabilities, aged 18-30, in achieving their employment goals through a transformative approach to Vocational Rehabilitation. This position focuses on empowering participants to develop self-advocacy skills and pursue career opportunities in various sectors, particularly in STEM fields. The counselor will work collaboratively within an Integrated Resource Team to provide guidance, resources, and support, ensuring that participants are at the center of their career planning and development.

Responsibilities

• Serve in a key role within the Integrated Resource Team to support NextGen Career participants.
• Develop working alliances with participants based on mutual respect, trust, and accountability.
• Coordinate and facilitate the participant's discovery process to assess their career self-actualization and baseline skills.
• Provide coaching, counseling, and instruction to enhance participants' self-capacity, self-realization, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate the development and modifications of participants' career portfolios and serve as a resource for necessary services.
• Support other team members to ensure the participant's voice and choice are represented.
• Coordinate and facilitate relevant services and activities to strengthen participants' career self-actualization.
• Utilize reflective learning and coaching practices in engagement with participants and team members.
• Lead skills training sessions based on participants' career portfolios, including group workshops for job preparation.
• Monitor and evaluate participant progress and document changes throughout the process.

Requirements

• At least four years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in social work, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.
• A Bachelor's or higher degree in relevant fields may substitute for required experience on a prorated basis.
• Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor may substitute for required experience.

Nice-to-haves

• Ability to inspire young adults throughout the NextGen Careers process.
• Basic understanding of young adults, especially those with disabilities.
• Knowledge of employment and career counseling principles and techniques.
• Experience with person-centered and psychosocial mentoring practices.
• Ability to engage differently and embrace new service models.
• Experience using a coaching approach with young adults.
• Ability to write clear, concise, professional reports.
• Bilingual.

Benefits

• Comprehensive employee benefits package including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off.