Essential Specialist

Category: Full-time Staff

Subscribe:

Department: Student Affairs - Student Support Services

Locations: Lowell, MA

Posted: Feb 10, 2026

Closes: Mar 3, 2026 - 11:59 PM EST

Type: Full-time

Position : 197180

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education to prepare individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a work environment where our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering.

MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.

Title: Essential Needs Specialist

Unit: Full-Time MCCC Professional Staff, Grade 04, Special Programs Coordinator

Department: Student Affairs - Student Support Services

Reports To: Assistant Dean of Student Support Services

Date: February 10, 2026

General

Summary:

The Essential Needs Specialist plays a key role in student well‑being and academic success by supporting comprehensive essential needs services. The Specialist oversees all food resource operations, including two food pantries, multiple Grab n' Go stations, and community-sourced food partnerships, and ensures consistent access to healthy, fresh, and culturally relevant food. The role provides direct case management and non‑academic support for students experiencing food or other essential needs difficulties, connecting them with on‑ and off‑campus resources.

The Specialist leads outreach and education efforts to destigmatize essential needs challenges, promotes healthy eating, and collaborates with faculty, staff, and community partners to expand support services. The position manages logistics, procurement, food safety practices, data systems, and donation activities. Through continuous assessment, reporting, and program evaluation, the Specialist strengthens resource effectiveness and informs program improvements.

• Build strong, supportive relationships with at‑risk students and provide resources, referrals, and connections to internal and external support services.
• Provide comprehensive case management for students facing essential needs challenges, with a primary emphasis on food and housing insecurity.
• Offer non‑academic support, including skill development, guidance, and advocacy, to promote academic success, personal well‑being, and healthy behaviors.
• Communicate with students to gather feedback about essential needs services and their impact on wellness, sense of belonging, and academic performance.

• Plan, implement, and assess comprehensive campus‑wide programs supporting under‑resourced students and advancing equity and social mobility.
• Develop and implement educational initiatives and outreach efforts for students, faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Facilitate formal and informal events to raise awareness about food and housing insecurity and to destigmatize conversations about basic needs. Engagement formats include classroom visits, workshops, presentations, and tabling events.
• Promote the College's food resources and essential needs services through communication campaigns, social media, outreach events, classroom engagement, and wellness‑focused activities.
• Facilitate programs and activities that promote healthy eating and nutrition education.
• Provide annual summaries highlighting program outcomes, impact, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.

• Attend community events, fundraisers, workshops, community meetings, summits, forums, etc. This may include instances outside of normal working hours.
• Develop and grow on‑campus and…