The NextGen Family Partner will partner with NextGen Career participants and their families to support them on developing and enhancing young adults' internal skills, specifically: self-efficacy (confidence in their ability to perform a job), self-awareness (understanding of their strengths and limitations), self-sufficiency (ability to be independent), and self-advocacy (ability to direct one's own life).

The NextGen Family Partner will be a key member within a multi-disciplinary Integrated Resource Team (IRT). Within the IRT, the young adult is at the center and uses self-advocacy skills to drive their own plans. The NextGen Family Partner will contribute their specific expertise and lived experience in areas of family and individual advocacy, social work, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling and/or educational counseling, as part of the IRT team. They will work collaboratively with young adults and their family members and caregivers 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. The NextGen Family Partner will engage the natural supports in the lives of young adults too aid in their ability to reach employment goals. Incumbents should have an understanding of vocational rehabilitation needs of young adults with disabilities and the role of family caregivers.

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

NextGen Careers values equity, mutuality, and cultural sensitivity, and partners with young adults in a person-centered approach, with an emphasis on a holistic experience for the participant. MRC is a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high performance teams, individual performance/contribution/impact, and engaging in activities to promote and support a program/division/agency (e.g., committee membership, workgroup membership, presenting at staff meetings, achieving learning and performance goals). In addition, MRC is an agency committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and racial equity, as well as innovation and transformation and change, and creating a culture of agility, excellence, and belonging.

This position serves a director whose function is statewide, and the position is assigned to the Lowell Office. Ability to secure independent travel to cities and towns in the service areas of the Lowell and Lawrence MRC offices is required. Some travel will be required. Full and Part Time candidates will be considered for this position.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides outreach and direct assistance to all family members identified by the NextGen Team
• Engages and regularly communicating with caregivers to foster positive relationships between families and NextGen team, and support caregiving capacity
• Develops rapport with family to gain knowledge of their needs, culture, strengths, and concerns.
• Conducts and supports NextGen Outreach and Recruitment efforts which may include representing NextGen at recruitment events or Outreach meetings.
• Participates in NextGen Careers Team meetings with a focus on family support.
• Assists families in systems navigation and facilitates connection to new services and resources as needed.
• Assists the family in accessing formal and informal support networks and peer mentoring.
• Supports positive family team meetings where young adults are empowered to share their career visions and goals with their families and caregivers.
• Supports the NextGen Careers Team in developing and administering content for the NextGen Careers Learning Experience. As the Learning Experience is delivered, consider how it engages families and make suggestions for improvements.
• Engage and educate families to understand the components of the Learning Experience and identify areas where they can provide support and assistance.
• Serve as a positive role model, mentor, and coach for families of young adults to support employment goals
• Document services and provide formal and informal feedback to NextGen Team on areas of focus for family partnership
• Shares valuable lived experience to support mentorship and modeling with families and caregivers
• Engages in weekly supervision and support with NextGen leadership

Preferred Qualifications:

• Personal and professional knowledge and understanding of the disability community in Massachusetts.
• Ability to implement best practices for engaging disability and family voice.
• Ability to communicate effectively, including in writing, to appropriately correspond with consumers, family members, team members, and other stakeholders, and to represent the agency in a professional manner using disability culturally responsive language.
• Ability to develop working alliances with consumers and other stakeholders, based on mutual respect, trust, and accountability.
• Basic understanding of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), and other pertinent disability/civil rights legislation that impact the disability community.
• Ability to inspire consumers throughout their engagement and work with MRC.
• Commitment to flexibility, and "doing what it takes" to support consumers.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to establish, build and maintain trusting and harmonious working relationships that benefit all involved parties.
• Ability to understand and support individuals impacted by diverse forms of discrimination and poverty.
• Knowledge of the types and availability of public and private community based resources and programs providing disability services to consumers.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

MRC 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, MRC 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: www.mass.gov/mrc

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 and click on "Information for Job Applicants."

As part of the hiring process, the Office of Human Resources will be verifying any college-level degrees conferred to the selected candidate. Additionally, any licensure required for the position will be verified. Information provided as part of the hiring process is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

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 Records 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, 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 Careers Family Partner North Region requisition.

Qualifications

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

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent and (A) at least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience as serving in a peer support capacity in the disability, rehabilitation, employment, or health care field.

Substitutions:

I. An Associate's degree in psychology, human services, disability studies, vocation rehabilitation, or a closely related field may be
substitued for six months of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor's degree or higher in psychology, human services, disability services, vocational rehabilitation, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of the required (A) experience.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.

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.