Senior Special Programs Coordinator

Location: Gardner, MA Category: Professional (Staff Member) Posted On: Mon Dec Job Description:

General Statement of Duties:

MWCC is searching for a skilled and experienced individual to coordinate the planning stage of the Massachusetts Inclusive Post-Secondary Education (MAIPSE) initiative, with implementation ideally set for Fall 2026. The Coordinator will oversee development and implementation of the MAIPSE Program. The program is a partnership among local school districts, service agencies, employer partners and MWCC to provide students with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disabilities with access to higher education. The Coordinator will lead the program through an initial planning period, preparing for implementation for fall 2026. The Coordinator will establish and work with a planning and advisory team to implement the program and support students through coursework, academic skill development, career planning and employment, developing self-advocacy skills, connecting to campus resources and engagement opportunities, and navigating campus life. The Coordinator will serve as a liaison to faculty across disciplines, as well as other administrative offices to advance and promote MAIPSE initiatives across campus. The Coordinator will work closely with the Dean of K12 Partnerships & Civic Engagement and the Dean of Students to oversee a comprehensive MAIPSE program at MWCC.

Responsibilities:

Administrative

• Develop full implementation plan by June 2026, working with Dean and the planning advisory team
• Track program budget, including processing expenses, purchases, travel and projecting budget spending
• Work with Student Financial Services to establish billing processes for students, in line with established policies and procedures within the office
• Establish, and ensure compliance with, Memorandum of Understanding with external partners, providing annual updates as needed to each agreement
• Support development of grant applications and, upon awarding of such grants, fulfill requirements for such
• Create models for MAIPSE engagements with MWCC Academic Advising and Student Activities and Academic Affairs
• Contribute to MWCC Strategic and Operational Planning

Partnership

• Coordinates with local school districts and adult service agencies to maintain a partnership that supports students with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, and other developmental disabilities, and their families to continue their education.
• Provide assessment of program activities to campus and state leadership.
• Act as a key stakeholder on the MAIPSE advisory team that is responsible for program oversight and implementation. This team includes representatives from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, faculty, students, community agencies, workforce development providers, and local school districts.
• Attends regular statewide meetings and conferences with other MAIPSE programs, and meetings with local organizations in alignment with the goals of the program.

Program Design & Implementation

• Design and implement the application, registration, and orientation process for incoming MAIPSE students.
• Coordination of course scheduling in partnership with the Academic Deans
• Coordinate the recruitment, admission and orientation of incoming MAIPSE Students, to include: developing and updating program materials, coordinating orientation programs and campus visits.
• Work with MWCC faculty and staff to support inclusive learning strategies, instructional universal design techniques and support the MAIPSE on campus
• Monitor the progress of MAIPSE students in caseload with routine check-ins, scheduled meetings or proactive outreach and communication related to academic and other concerns, and respond to student and family questions, concerns, and needs.
• Develop and facilitate faculty, staff, and peer mentor training and technical assistance to ensure they have the skills needed to provide inclusive opportunities for this student population.
• Collaborate with Student Life to welcome participating students to social networks via campus-wide and community events.
• Act as a liaison to Career Services to welcome participating students to career planning, vocational skill-building, and integrated employment opportunities.
• Act as a liaison to the Brewer Center to integrate community service for participants in order to build vocational skills and experience, and to develop/implement student volunteer opportunities for Education and Human Services students who may be interested in working with this population of peers.
• Assess the learning strengths and areas of development for individual students through student-centered planning.
• Identify and work with faculty across departments and the office of Disability Resources to provide accommodation and learning plans for MAIPSE coursework.
• Work with Disability Services in order to support the review and update of individualized accommodation plans detailing academic accommodations, assistive technology needs, and the development of appropriate learning strategies on campus and in the classroom. Assist students in the development of self-advocacy skills and the use of support materials, including assistive technology.
• Other duties as assigned

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Job Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Education, Counseling, Psychology, Business Administration, Marketing, Education Administration, or other field related to area of assignment;
• Three (3) years experience and/or training involving area of assignment, which may include business management, program/project management, grant administration, budget development, community relations, curriculum development, education, counseling, substance abuse, non-traditional student services, or public assistance programs; or
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Special Education, Higher Ed Administration, Counseling, or related field Preferred
• Experience working with students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism in an educational setting.
• Proven strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with students, staff, and faculty both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and proceed with objectives

Equivalency Statement
Applicants who do not meet the qualifications as stated above are encouraged to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them with the equivalent combination of education, training and experience required for the responsibilities of this position.

Additional Information:

Campus Title : MAIPSE Senior Coordinator

Salary : $74,523.00 Grant Limitations

Grade: 5
Employee Status: Full Time Grant Funded Grant End Date 8/31/26
Benefits: Yes
Hours per Week: 37.5
Number of Weeks: Grant End 8/31/26

Mount Wachusett Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy or related conditions, gender identity, sex characteristics, sex stereotypes or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits Sex-Based Harassment. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, or retaliation shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action Officer and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights.