Job: Neurodiversity Support Specialist

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
375 Church Street
NORTH ADAMS, MA 01247

Phone:(413) 662-5596
Fax:(413)662-5578
Website:mcla.edu/About_MCLA/jobs

Company Description:

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is a dynamic and vibrant four-year public college located in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1894, MCLA is the Commonwealth's public liberal arts college of the Massachusetts State University System. MCLA is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), a national consortium positioned at the forefront of the conversation on the value of a liberal arts education. MCLA was named one of U.S. News and World Report's Top Public Schools in 2018


Job Title:
Neurodiversity Support Specialist
Salary Range:Location:
NORTH ADAMS, MA
Job Type:Category:
Full TimeOffice and Administrative Support
Education Level:Work Experience:
Description:


Location: North Adams, MA Category: Administrative Job Type: Part-time Posted On: Fri Aug 7 2026 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.


Job 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