Career Opportunities

Can you imagine not being able to read an email? Or not knowing how to sign your name legibly? That is the reality for 48 million adults in the United States with low literacy skills. In Massachusetts alone, 17% of adults are considered at risk for difficulties using and comprehending print material.

At First Literacy, we are committed to helping adults in Massachusetts improve their literacy skills so they can succeed in every aspect of their lives. This means helping adult learners continue their education and championing the incredible teachers that are on the front lines of the fight for adult literacy. Through our free professional development workshops for teachers, grants for innovative new programs, and scholarships for adults continuing to higher education or vocational training, we support the continuum of Adult Basic Education and help adult learners achieve their full potential.

First Literacy is an equal opportunity employer fully committed to providing opportunities that promote diversity, growth, and a professional work environment.

Scholar Support Coordinator

This is a 10-12 hour per week position. The Scholar Support Coordinator will report to the Program Director (PD).

First Literacy supports 25-30 adult students at community colleges and universities throughout Massachusetts. We recognize the need for our scholarship recipients to receive support and to have an advocate for them on their behalf at their colleges.

The Scholar Support Coordinator will be responsible for reaching out to our scholars, building a relationship with each of them, determining their needs, and helping them to get the resources and support that they need. These resources are school, city, state, and federal based. They include connecting scholars to academic support, food/housing resources, transportation support, childcare, legal/citizenship support, and career planning.

The Scholar Support Coordinator will collaborate with the Program Director and will provide any necessary updates and information to the PD.

Responsibilities include:

Regularly connect with each scholar to check-in, help coach them, and determine what they need to succeed

Identify and connect with financial and advising support at each college/university to learn about resources and connecting scholars with appropriate support

Support the Program Director and the rest of the First Literacy Team at the annual Scholarship Ceremony, Scholar Orientation, and at other events planned for the scholars during the academic year

Participate in the interviews of new scholarship candidates each June

Coordinate with our Administrative Assistant to obtain all paperwork from scholars, including transcripts/grades and FERPA forms in order to discuss scholar information with the schools

Track school calendars and plan scholar messaging around class start dates, drop/add dates, finals dates, etc.

Track and update student data through Excel and our CRM

Identify potential individuals and/or companies that can provide workshops or one-on-one support to students (i.e. financial, career, etc.)

Connect and engage with past scholars at least once a year to get an update on where they are and what they are doing now

Qualifications:

We recognize that the ideal candidate might have unique experiences. While a bachelor’s degree is not required for this role, the ideal candidate must have some college experience and have worked with students (preferably adults or teens) in some capacity. The ideal candidate will also speak a second language, preferably Spanish or Haitian Creole. Must have strong interpersonal skills and follow-though, basic Microsoft Office/Excel skills, and be willing to learn our CRM system.

Details:

The 10-12 hours are flexible and mostly remote, but the candidate would be expected to come in for regular staff meetings, other important in-person meetings, as well as a few annual events. The Scholar Support Coordinator will also at times need to meet on campus with some of the scholars, as well as staff at the community colleges.

The role pays $30-32 per hour, depending on experience.

Please send your resume and one-page cover letter detailing your interest in and qualifications for the role to Annie Sferrazza, Program Director, at asferrazza@firstliteracy.org.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis and will close Friday, May 29, 2026.