About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:
At MCLA, we're here for all, and focused on each of our students. Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators, fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In addition to our 130-year commitment to public education, we have fortified our dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appeared on U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Colleges for 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of Top Public Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026. The College's focus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflected in additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4 for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal arts colleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schools graduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu
Job Description:
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
The Neurodiversity Support Specialist supports students in navigating the interpersonal, self-advocacy, and independent living aspects of college life and beyond. Through individual and group coaching, programming, and student-centered workshops, this position helps to create an environment that will facilitate individual growth and achievement and help students to identify and pursue meaningful personal goals.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Reports to the Director of Disability Resources
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITILIES:
- Assist students with social behaviors and pragmatics through role playing, small group instruction, visual tools and other targeted interventions and/or incidental opportunities to improve these interactions.
- Help students navigate new social environments, manage independence, and self-care.
- Help students establish routines utilizing scripts, checklists, and other visual cues.
- Provide instruction with life skills such as dorm cleaning, laundry, budgeting, organizational skills, meal planning, preparation, and cooking, etc.
- Help students establish support networks and peer groups/relationships.
- Support students in identifying meaningful personal goals related to independence, connection, self-advocacy, and engagement in college and community life.
- Design and facilitate workshops and programming based on student-identified goals and support needs including classroom participation skills, work readiness habits, and collaborative language.
- Partner with students to identify strategies for managing daily responsibilities and balancing academic, social, and independent living demands.
- Collaborate with campus partners from onboarding through graduation to connect students with resources, opportunities, and experiences that support relationship building, self-advocacy, and independent living goals.
- Coordinate referral pathways with campus partners, including Residential Life and Housing, the CARE Team, and Counseling Services, to connect students with supports and services.
- Meet regularly with students to support progress towards identified goals.
- Organize outings and social events, based on student interests, to expand opportunities for social connection and participation in campus and community life.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred
- Minimum of two years of experience working with young adults in educational, direct support, independent living, human services, or related settings.
- Experience in higher education is strongly preferred.
Additional Information:
This is a part-time, non-benefited,10-month grant-funded position, working up to 18.5 hours per week. This position requires afternoon and evening availability with occasional weekend responsibilities. Position starts on October 1, 2026 and goes through July 31, 2027 with the option for renewal.
Salary for this position is $32.50 per hour.
Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.
Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.
Lucas Morrill
Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Telephone: (413) 662-5103
Titleix@mcla.edu
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
OCR.Boston@ed.gov
Application Instructions:
Applicants are required to submit a resume, cover letter, online application, and 3 professional references. To submit application materials, please click the apply now button below.
