This position will serve as the primary academic counselor for the following intersecting programs: Project RISE and the Inmate Education Program. The Project Rise Program is designed to provide counseling support and resources for formerly and currently incarcerated students. The Inmate Education Program is an academic department that provides a number of noncredit and credit courses to students who are currently incarcerated. Both programs are part of the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Rising Scholars Network, which supports students impacted by the carceral system. In addition to counseling responsibilities, the Project Rise Program requires some program administration. This position may coordinate and collaborate with equity programs and other campus programs, as well as community organizations, including juvenile hall, regional adult jails, probation, treatment centers, housing services, and other agencies that serve this population. Responsibilities may also include outreach presentations, facilitating weekly group support meetings for Project Rise students, planning and coordinating Project RISE events/activities, participating in regular Statewide Rising Scholars meetings, and tracking student completion data. This position also provides academic counseling support to other noncredit student populations.
Responsibilities
Counselors provide academic, career, and personal counseling by assisting current and prospective students with course and program information, career exploration, educational planning career selection and the identification and exploration of personal concerns. They provide assessment opportunities and use the results in helping students with course and program selection. Counselor may teach courses as assigned by the Dean of Counseling. They provide assistance to students on academic probation and assist in the monitoring of student progress with emphasis in helping students to achieve their educational goals. When appropriate, they refer students to other student service programs or community resources. They may participate in staff development and in-service training activities. They perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (Applicants must meet one of the following):
- Possess from an accredited institution: Master’s degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, or career development, marriage and family therapy, or marriage, family and child counseling, or a bachelor’s degree in one of the above listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), OR Possess a valid California Community College credential authorizing service in the discipline, OR
- The equivalent (applicants who do not meet the above minimum qualifications must complete the Equivalencies Section in the application form and provide conclusive evidence of such).
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrate recent academic Counseling experience, particularly in a community college or related setting.
- Demonstrated commitment to equity practices.
- Experience working with formerly or currently incarcerated individuals.
- Teaching and presentation experience, particularly in a community college or related setting.
- Demonstrated experience with computer technology, social media, and web based technology, particularly related to academic counseling in a community college setting.
- Demonstrated skills in program coordination and evidence of the ability to work collaboratively across an organization.
- Experience in counseling and teaching students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and widely varying levels of proficiency preferred.
- A working knowledge of and experience with student learning outcomes and assessment.
EEO STATEMENT
The Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is an equal employment opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment based on ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, sex, race, color, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, gender identity, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), marital status, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services, or on the basis of these perceived characteristics or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Application Screening
In addition to the requirements and responsibilities listed, the following criteria will be considered in selecting candidates for interviews:
- Educational experience – breadth and depth
- Work experience – breadth and depth
- Demonstrated leadership capabilities
- Curriculum development
- Program development
- Community involvement
- Demonstrated experience in working with a diverse socioeconomic community
- Credentials or minimum qualifications authorizing service in other areas of need
- Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with others
- Bilingual ability (if needed)
Based upon the information presented on the application materials, a limited number of candidates with qualifications most pertinent to the position will be invited to participate in the selection process, which may include a written test and an oral interview.
Meeting the minimum requirements of the position does not guarantee advancement in the selection process. Candidate qualifications will be assessed to determine those who meet and exceed requirements and are deemed most competitive amongst the applicant pool to proceed.
Interview
Applicants selected for an interview may be required to take additional tests or assessments and will be notified of such prior to the date of the interview. During the oral session, those selected for interviews, in addition to the above, may be evaluated on the following factors:
- Oral communication skills
- Presentation
- Problem solving skills
- Successful teaching, problem solving or performance demonstration
- Writing skills/demonstration
A predetermined set of questions will be asked of all applicants interviewed. Applicants are requested to provide thorough yet concise information on their related experience to ensure the correct evaluation of their qualifications. Evaluation criteria will be applied consistently to all applicants. The District will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Applicant should contact Recruitment in the Human Resources Office for assistance. Travel reimbursement is available to those meeting the established district criteria.
Application Procedures
All applicants are required to submit a completed Rancho Santiago Community College District online application. Human Resources will review all applications for completeness, and only complete application packets will be forwarded to the screening committee for further review.
A Complete Application Packet Must Include the Following:
- RSCCD Online Application
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume – details all relevant education, training, and teaching experience (including courses taught), and other work experience
- Undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts (unofficial copies are accepted)
Foreign Transcripts: Education completed outside of the United States must be deemed equivalent to that gained in the conventional/accredited United States education programs to be considered for the satisfaction of minimum qualifications. Foreign transcripts must be translated and evaluated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), a United States based credentials evaluation service.
Conditions of Employment
Selected candidate(s) is required to complete the following prior to employment as part of the onboarding process:
- Submit official transcripts
- Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States (by in-person appointment in Human Resources)
- Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis Exam
- Fingerprints (by a Live Scan Agency at the candidate’s expense and clearance must be received prior to first day of employment)
- Provide a valid COVID-19 Vaccination Card
