District Faculty Mental Health Counselor

Priority consideration given to applications received before 2/6/2023

 

Join our Racial Equity-Centered College!

Pierce College District is student-centered and mission-driven to ensure that all our students thrive and reach their fullest potential. As an institution committed to antiracism, we are action-oriented and intentional in dismantling every systemic barrier that prevents Black and Brown student excellence and liberation. 

As Pierce College deepens its commitment to racial equity, it is of the highest priority that we focus our tenure-track and permanent status faculty hiring process to seek faculty with the expertise to lead our institution in serving Black and Brown students. This cluster hire is an opportunity for the college community to continue to act upon our values but more importantly for the empowering of our students' self-efficacy, for cultivating sense of belonging, and for the diversity of our entire student body, especially Black and Brown students, being reflected in a position of power in the classroom. We are fortunate that the Washington state legislature recognizes this through SB 5194 in its efforts to address student areas of inequities with the funding of additional faculty positions.  Learn more about this year’s faculty cluster hire here: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr-faculty-cluster-hire.

We are excited to invite you to bring your lived experiences and authentic selves to contribute to discourse and action in supporting Black and Brown students.

About the Program

The Pierce District is structured around the concept of the integration of learning and student success, encompassing both instruction and student services. The Faculty Mental Health Counselor position is part of the District Student Success Division that reports to the District Dean of Student Success: Holistic Supports Services. The Faculty Counselor will provide crisis intervention, support services, and referral for a diverse population of prospective and enrolled students. Faculty Counselors are also responsible for providing instruction in career, student success, and human development courses and/or workshops, and participating in college councils, committees and other related activities.  

About Pierce College

Pierce College is an innovative community college striving to re-envision our institution through an antiracist framework to advance equity in student engagement and learning. We value student learning experiences that foster inclusion and intercultural engagement in the classroom and that expand into our local and global communities. Faculty, staff, and administrators work collaboratively to lead initiatives that advance equitable student success: from closing areas of inequity to building guided career pathways. The college serves over 15,000 students in basic skills, transfer, and professional technical programs. Through continuous efforts, we have improved retention rates by 17% and graduation rates by 89%. This year, Pierce was again named a top community college by several national organizations. 

Pierce College employees and students live and work in various communities that offer the diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles in the Pacific Northwest. As part of the community and technical college system in Washington State, the District includes Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Pierce College Puyallup, Pierce College at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, as well as other extended learning sites.

 

 

Responsibilities of the successful candidate include: 

 

• Provide short-term therapeutic intervention and develop referral plan to community treatment resources for students in crisis; act as primary liaison between the college and community resources. 

• Design, implement, and evaluate workshops and programs for a diverse student population that reflect an academic and physical wellness emphasis.

• Provide consultation to staff, faculty, and the campus community regarding how to assist students with behavioral issues, personal/mental health concerns, and other elements impacting student success. 

• Collaborate with and stay informed about local and extended area community resources and referrals. 

• Engage in proactive outreach opportunities to educate staff, faculty and the campus community about crisis intervention responses and available services. 

• Collaborate with instruction, student services in Holistic Supports and EDI CARES division, learning support (e.g. tutoring) and other district units to further student success. 

• Attend and participate in regular department and division meetings sharing applicable expertise and collaborating with colleagues to improve mental health help-seeking and promote student wellness. 

• Work effectively and collegially with faculty and staff across disciplines/programs and the district.  

• Engage in ongoing professional development as a process of continuous improvement and maintaining licensure.

• Participate in shared governance and contribute to a healing-centered and empowering learning environment through the lens of racial identity, equity and social justice.  

• Teach career, student success and human development classes in an active learning environment.

 

Qualifications:

Required: 

• Graduate Degree in Education, Counseling, Vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology, or a related field, which includes a supervised graduate school internship as a mental health counselor.

• Professional work experience as a counselor using short-term therapeutic techniques and interventions providing culturally responsive services to individuals from diverse, intersecting backgrounds. 

• Current licensure as a Washington State Mental Health Counselor, Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, or Marriage and Family Therapist, or by date of hire. 

 

Application Process:

To be considered for this position, applicants must include the following items in their application package:

1. Letter of formal application that addresses how your experience and education qualifies you to perform the assigned responsibilities (Cover Letter).
2. Responses to the following: Provide specific examples how you fulfill at least two of the following criteria: (a) Have experience or have demonstrated commitment to teaching, mentoring and/or engaging in services for Black and Brown students; (b) Have demonstrated knowledge of barriers for Black and Brown students and experience in addressing disproportionate impact at an institution; (c) Have experience in or have demonstrated commitment in facilitating Black and Brown students’ navigating a higher education institution; (d) Have experience or have demonstrated commitment to integrating elements of culturally relevant and inclusive pedagogy. (Supplemental Question).
3. Detailed curriculum vitae of all educational and professional experience, which includes a list of courses taught (Curriculum Vitae).
4. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts that include degree received and confer date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: https://www.naces.org/members. (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required prior to hire) (Transcripts).
5. A list of four current professional references with name, relationship to candidate, address, email address, and telephone number. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted in lieu of a list of professional references (References).

Terms of Employment

This position, which is contingent upon funding, is a full-time, tenure-track assignment of 206 contracted days per year, anticipated to begin July 2023 with the tenure process starting in September 2023. The annual work calendar is developed in order to respond to peak service times and to meet the counseling needs of students. This is a District position with a "home" campus assignment. Initial placement of this position will be at the Puyallup campus and will hold counseling hours at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Pierce College Puyallup & JBLM. Candidates will be working for a District Dean and will be required to attend district meetings as well as to collaborate with colleagues across the district and across departments.  

Salary & Benefits 

Initial salary placement is based on the current full-time faculty salary schedule and is dependent upon education and experience. Salary placement for newly hired full-time faculty will be at one of five levels based upon qualifications including teaching experience and credentials. The five levels range from $74,866 to $80,818 per 206-day academic year. Opportunities for summer employment and other assignments are in addition to the base salary.  

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation, worth an additional value equivalent to approximately 35% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our Benefits and Leave website at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr- benefits.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342.  Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

Screening & Interview Process

Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned. 

Conditions of Employment

Pierce College is a “fully vaccinated campus” under the state’s higher education guidance, which means that COVID-19 vaccination (or allowable exemption) is currently required for all employees and students. Pierce College will maintain our existing vaccination policies and practices through the 2023 winter term for all employees, and for students in courses with a grounded component. More information can be found here: Vaccination Requirements.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law RCW28B.112.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Pierce College has adopted a Drug Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.

Bargaining Unit

This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Pierce College Federation of Teachers (PCFT).

Equal Opportunity 

The Pierce College District is an equal opportunity employer. The Board of Trustees and Pierce College District are committed to providing equal opportunity and will not discriminate in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices for all persons without regard to race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal.

For more information or assistance regarding your application, contact Human Resources at: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu. 

Questions regarding equal employment opportunities or discrimination may be directed to the following: 

Sean Cooke, Title IX Coordinator  (253) 840-8472    

Tami Jacobs, ADACO/Section 504 Coordinator  (253) 964-6581    

Holly Gorski, Vice President for Human Resources  (253) 964-6519   

Paula Henson-Williams, District Affirmative Action Officer  (253) 864-3229