Student Well- Being Navigator

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Who We Are:

Are you ready to work at a dynamic institution that believes in higher education with lower obstacles? Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology (now known as Franklin Cummings Tech) is a nationally accredited non-profit, technical college serving Eastern Massachusetts and beyond. The college was seeded in 1791 with funds from the estate of Benjamin Franklin given to the City of Boston to proliferate access to education and level the playing field for aspiring talent with meager financial means.

Today, Franklin Cummings Tech continues to build on that legacy by offering post-secondary education in high-demand technical and skilled trade fields that lead to excellent careers. Our majors intentionally focus on select industries connected to sustainability and the clean energy transition including electric vehicle technology, smart manufacturing, practical electricity, power engineering, heat pumps/HVAC, biotechnology, automation, construction management, and more.

With a mission to deliver transformative technical and trade education that leads to economic advancement, we offer a unique mix of certificate and degree-granting programs that appeal to enterprising students and respond to employer’s demand for a well-prepared workforce. Intentional partnerships with the industries we serve coupled with high graduation and job placement rates, recently attracted the largest philanthropic gift in the history of the college from the Cummings Foundation.

Last year, Franklin Cummings Tech educated more than 1,000 learners across three student types: 1) certificate and degree seekers, 2) continuing education clients, and 3) high schoolers pursuing early college. As further evidence that our mission holds resonance, this year the college tracked a 25% year-over-year jump in fall new student enrollment and applications soared.

We seek team members who are optimistic, entrepreneurial, data-informed, and excited about the prospect of continuing to strategically increase student success outcomes and total enrollment from 1,000 learners today to at least 1,500 learners by 2030. Join us in this mission-driven work!

Job Description:

Franklin Cummings Tech is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where all students can thrive. The Student Well-Being Navigator plays a vital role in realizing this vision by connecting students with resources that address their holistic needs, including financial stability, food security, emotional well-being, and mental health. This position embraces a proactive and strengths-based approach, recognizing the impact of systemic oppression and identity-based trauma on student well-being. The Student Well-Being Navigator empowers students to tap into their inner resources, build resilience, and create a fulfilling educational experience. They report to the Executive Director of Student Affairs.

Requirements:

Key Responsibilities:

- Resource Connection: Proactively identify and connect students with internal and external resources to address basic needs (e.g., emergency funds, food assistance, housing support), emotional well-being (e.g., counseling services, peer support groups), and mental health concerns (e.g., crisis intervention, referrals to specialists).

- Wellness Navigation: Conduct brief, supportive check-ins with students referred by faculty, staff, or success coaches to assess their needs, provide guidance, and facilitate access to appropriate services.

- Trauma-Informed Support: Utilize a trauma-informed lens to understand the impact of race-based and identity-based trauma on students’ well-being and tailor support strategies accordingly.

- Resilience Building: Empower students to develop self-care practices, resilience skills, and coping mechanisms that promote emotional wellness and mitigate the effects of chronic stress and weathering.

- Program Development: Engage community by creating programs designed to build wellness knowledge and foster healthy behaviors to address a number of issues including Facilitate psycho-educational groups and workshops focused on topics such as stress management, self-compassion, and healthy relationships to build community and enhance student well-being.

- Data Tracking and Reporting: Maintain accurate records of student interactions and resource utilization, provide quarterly updates to the Dean of Academic and Student Affairs and the Executive Director of Student Affairs, and contribute to the creation of annual reports that demonstrate the impact of wellness initiatives.

- Committee Participation: Actively participate in relevant committees, such as the CARES Team and Student of Concern meetings, to contribute to a coordinated and comprehensive approach to student support.

- Partnership Outreach: Maintain relationships with current partners and develop new partners to address students’ needs.

Qualifications:

- Master’s degree in social work, psychology, public health, or a related field preferred.

- Experience working with diverse student populations in higher education settings, particularly those facing systemic barriers

- Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care principles and practices.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with students from diverse backgrounds.

- Proficiency in resource identification, referral processes, data tracking systems and using word documents, spreadsheets.

- Commitment to social justice, equity, and inclusive practices

- Knows the local agencies;

Preferred Qualifications:

- Certification in Mental Health First Aid or similar crisis intervention training.

- Experience facilitating groups or workshops on wellness-related topics.

- Familiarity with local community resources and support services.

- Ability to speak another language (Spanish, Haitian Creole, CV Creole; Portuguese)

The Student Well-Being Navigator will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all students have access to the resources and support they need to thrive at Franklin Cummings Tech. By embracing a holistic, trauma-informed, and equity-focused approach, this position will contribute to a campus culture that celebrates well-being and empowers students to achieve their full potential.