Direct Support Professional Jobs in Colchester, VT

About the Role

As an Academic Coach at Mansfield Hall, you will help neurodivergent college students build the skills, confidence, and independence needed to succeed in post-secondary education.

You will serve as a primary academic support for an assigned group of students, providing individualized coaching, tutoring, mentorship, and accountability. Your work will help students strengthen executive functioning skills, navigate academic expectations, use campus resources effectively, and become stronger self-advocates.

This role goes beyond helping students complete assignments. You will help students understand how they learn, anticipate challenges, develop effective routines, and take increasing ownership of their college experience.

In This Role, You Will:

• Provide individualized academic coaching, tutoring, and direct support to students with diverse learning needs.
• Support students during daily Structured Study Time, helping them organize assignments, manage deadlines, prioritize responsibilities, and make progress toward their academic goals.
• Meet regularly with students one-on-one to assess academic progress, identify barriers, provide instruction, and develop practical strategies for success.
• Help students strengthen skills related to organization, time management, project planning, study habits, communication, and self-advocacy.
• Monitor academic indicators such as attendance, grades, course difficulty, missing work, and upcoming projects to identify concerns before they become larger problems.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation in Mansfield Halls course tracking system.
• Connect students with appropriate campus resources, including tutoring centers, libraries, accessibility services, faculty office hours, and other academic supports.
• Guide students in setting and achieving goals across Mansfield Halls four core areas: academics, social development, independent living, and community engagement.
• Build positive, professional relationships with students while modeling effective communication, healthy boundaries, accountability, and appropriate social interactions.
• Collaborate closely with Academic Directors, other Academic Coaches, Student Life staff, and Life Skills Coaches to provide coordinated and consistent student support.
• Participate in team meetings, student planning conversations, and other program activities as assigned.
• Contribute to the broader Mansfield Hall living and learning community by supporting students as they navigate both college and emerging adulthood.

Role Requirements

• You have a bachelors degree in behavioral sciences, education, psychology, social work, human services, or a related field.
• You have at least one year of experience providing academic tutoring, coaching, mentoring, or direct support to students with diverse learning needs.
• You understand the expectations and challenges students may encounter in a college or university environment.
• You are able to build professional, trusting relationships with students, families, colleagues, campus partners, and community resources.
• You can manage multiple students, deadlines, meetings, documentation requirements, and shifting priorities without losing sight of important details.
• You communicate clearly and professionally in person and in writing. You can take complex information and turn it into practical, understandable next steps.
• You work well independently while also contributing to a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team.
• You are thoughtful, flexible, and able to respond constructively when students encounter academic, interpersonal, or organizational challenges.

Youll Be a Great Fit If You:

• You believe students are capable. You provide meaningful support without taking over responsibilities that students can learn to manage themselves.
• You enjoy coaching. You ask thoughtful questions, provide direct feedback, and help students recognize patterns in their own behavior and decision-making.
• You understand executive functioning. You can help students break large assignments, competing demands, and long-term goals into clear and manageable steps.
• You are proactive. You notice warning signs, anticipate potential barriers, and address concerns before they become crises.
• You balance empathy with accountability. You can validate a students experience while still helping them follow through on expectations and commitments.
• You are adaptable. You understand that student needs, schedules, and priorities can change quickly, and you can adjust your approach while maintaining consistency.
• You value collaboration. You communicate openly with colleagues and understand that strong student support requires coordination across academic, social, and independent living areas.
• You take documentation seriously. You understand that timely, accurate records help the entire team provide better and more consistent support.
• You enjoy working with young adults. You are energized by helping students develop confidence, independence, and real-world skills.

You Might Not Be a Fit If:

• You prefer to complete tasks for students rather than coaching them to develop their own skills.
• You become frustrated when progress is gradual, inconsistent, or requires trying more than one approach.
• You prefer a highly predictable workday with limited interruptions or shifting priorities.
• You are uncomfortable providing clear feedback, reinforcing expectations, or holding students accountable.
• You prefer to work independently without regular communication and collaboration with a broader student support team.
• You view academic coaching primarily as homework help rather than an opportunity to develop independence, self-awareness, and long-term skills.

About Mansfield Hall

Mansfield Hall is a living and learning community that supports neurodivergent college students as they pursue meaningful and independent lives.

Our students are bright, capable, and full of potential. Many are learning how to navigate the academic, social, and practical expectations of college and adulthood. They are not looking for someone to do everything for them. They benefit from structure, coaching, encouragement, accountability, and opportunities to practice real-life skills in supportive but authentic environments.

Our work is grounded in four core areas: academics, social development, independent living, and community engagement. Through individualized support and a strong community environment, we help students develop the skills and confidence to take increasing ownership of their lives.

Working Environment

Work is performed primarily in a professional office, residential learning, or college campus environment. The position includes regular computer work, communication with students and colleagues, and movement throughout Mansfield Hall and nearby campus spaces.

Minimal local travel may be required. The role may involve occasional lifting of materials or supplies weighing up to 30 pounds. Reasonable accommodations and adaptive equipment will be provided as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Mansfield Hall is committed to creating an inclusive community and encourages individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, women, people with disabilities, and members of other historically underrepresented communities.

The responsibilities described above reflect the general nature and level of the position. Employees may be asked to perform additional duties that support the needs and overall functioning of Mansfield Hall.