In NextGen Careers, the young adult is at the center and uses self-advocacy skills to drive their own career plans towards obtaining competitive integrated employment. The NextGen Counselor will focus on developing and enhancing young adults' internal skills, specifically: self-capacity (confidence in their ability to perform a job), self-realization (understanding of their strengths and limitations), self-sufficiency (ability to be independent), and self-advocacy (ability to direct one's own life).

The NextGen Counselor will contribute their specific expertise in areas of social work, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling and/or educational counseling, as part of a regionally based Integrated Resource Team (IRT). IRTs use a team approach, including counselors, peer mentors, and employment specialists, to maximize wrap around services to support the young adult. Counselors will work collaboratively with young adults to identify and provide choice, resources, and supports, moving towards young adults taking more leadership roles in developing these skills, leading to increased independence and increased success throughout their career.

At MassAbility, we are driven by a fundamental belief that we are all different but connected - individuals who share a common purpose and who bring our own talents, ingenuity, and perspective to achieve our vision. That belief puts diversity, equity, and inclusion at the center of everything we do. We are keenly aware of the barriers that many of us face as we strive to live life on our own terms. That's why, as a community, we are committed to always being part of the solution. This work is essential to who we are as an organization. Together, we are making a better state possible for everyone. As a team member, you'll join an agency that values a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high-performance teams, individual contribution/impact, and engagement in activities to promote and support programs, divisions, and the overall agency vision and mission.

This is a grant-funded position through 6/30/2026. MassAbility was awarded federal funds to develop and implement NextGen Careers as part of a five-year Innovation Grant. Renewable subject to available funding. **

This position serves the NextGen North Region and is assigned to the Lowell and Lawrence Offices. The home office is Lowell and travel throughout the North Region is required.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Serve in a key role within the Integrated Resource Team, and partner with all team members to support NextGen Career participants in their pursuit of career ladder opportunities and economic self-sufficiency.
• Develop working alliances with participants, based on mutual respect, trust, and accountability.
• Coordinate and facilitate participant's discovery process to determine participant's level of career self-actualization and baseline skills of self-capacity, self-realization, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency.
• Provide coaching, counseling, and instruction to help strengthen the participant's understanding and skill level of his/her self-capacity, self-realization, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate the development of and any modifications to participant's career portfolio and serve as a resource for the services that may be required for the participant to achieve his/her career goals.
• Support other members of the participant's Integrated Resource Team to ensure the participant's voice and choice is truly represented.
• Coordinate and facilitate relevant services and activities to positively strengthen and build participants' career self-actualization, including but not limited to skills instruction, rehabilitation teaching, social rehabilitation orientation, etc.
• Utilize reflective learning and coaching practices in engagement with participants and team members.
• Lead skills training sessions based on the participant's career portfolio, including but not limited to group workshops to prepare for job opportunities, and coordinate the methods and materials.
• Monitor and evaluate participant progress throughout the process and prepare notes for general information and to document and monitor changes.
• Provides coaching, counseling, and instruction throughout the NextGen Careers process in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner based on each consumer's unique cultural background.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to inspire young adults throughout the NextGen Careers process.
• Basic understanding of young adults, especially young adults with disabilities.
• Basic understanding of how to successfully engage and develop a working alliance.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of employment and career counseling.
• Knowledge of person-centered and psychosocial mentoring practices, i.e., self-capacity, self-realization, self-advocacy, and self-sufficiency.
• Ability to engage differently and to embrace new models of service.
• Ability to and experience with using a coaching approach to working with young adults.
• Ability to and experience with using reflective listening strategies when working with young adults as well as working with other team members within NextGen Careers.
• Commitment to flexibility, and "doing what it takes" to support participants.
• Experience working as part of team, with community providers, including establishing and maintaining professional working relationships.
• Ability to write clear, concise, professional reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Bilingual

About MassAbility

MassAbility provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. Our programs focus on vocational rehabilitation, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. And we put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. We envision a Commonwealth that is open to all, where everyone can seize their true potential and contribute fully to our communities and the world. Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, MassAbility collaborates, problem-solves, and innovates to bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone-one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive.

For more information about our agency and programs, visit: MassAbility | Mass.gov

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option 4.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume for the NextGen Career Counselor - North Region requisition.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

REQUIRED WORK EXPERIENCE: At least four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

- A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.

- A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.

- A Master's or higher degree in social work, psychology, human services, rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, or counseling may be substituted for an additional year of the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.

- Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience.

- One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.