Higher Aspirations Counselor/Coordinator

Posting Closing Date: Friday, May 26, 2023

Full-Time Faculty (1.0 FTE)

Non-Tenure Position

Full-Time Faculty Salary Schedule

Current Salary Range*: $66,994 to $92,875

*Initial placement above step 6 requires Superintendent/President approval.

Who We Are

We are a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a 62% Latinx student population primarily residing in Gilroy, Hollister, and Morgan Hill. With our main campus nestled in the hills of Gilroy and a satellite campus in downtown Hollister soon to become a full-service center, we are committed to achieving educational equity for all students in our community. We work to provide students with a rich and relevant learning experience that emphasizes student engagement in and out of the classroom, empowering students of all ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to realize their goals and become socially responsible leaders. When you join our team at Gavilan College, you will become part of an innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, administration, students, and community partners. Gavilan College fosters justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through its Principles of Community.

Gavilan College is committed to recruiting individuals that embody our Principles of Community by:

• actively demonstrating a commitment to understanding and serving community college students who are diverse in socioeconomics, culture, ability, age, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity;
• committing to collaboration, effective communication and the development of strong working relationships;
• promoting purposeful inclusion of all groups and the free exchange of ideas in a respectful, trusting and considerate environment; and
• prioritizing equity in developing and strengthening curriculum, programs, and student support services.

As a member of the Gavilan College community, you will join us in valuing the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, and the principles of democratic citizenship. All Gavilan employees strive to maintain these ideals in an environment of inclusiveness and mutual respect. We live these shared principles and work collaboratively to serve as a model of a dynamic, student-centered, community-serving college.

Ideal Candidate:

Gavilan College is committed to recruiting individuals that embody our Principles of Community by:

• actively demonstrating a commitment to embracing and celebrating diversity;
• committing to collaboration, effective communication and the development of strong working relationships;
• promoting purposeful inclusion of all groups and the free exchange of ideas in a respectful, trusting and considerate environment; and
• demonstrating commitment to a college which prioritizes equity in resource allocation.

The ideal candidate for this position is an equity-minded individual who understands the importance of holding ourselves accountable for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices. Gavilan strives to attract candidates who view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility and who are able to reframe inequities as a problem of practice. The ideal candidate understands the mission and purpose of the Basic & Success department and demonstrates a commitment to student-centered practices, effective cross campus collaboration, purposeful service to the community and culturally responsive practices.

The Position:

Are you interested in creating an exceptional educational environment for students who are part of a dynamic, inclusive community? If you see yourself as a professional who empowers students of diverse backgrounds to reach their potential through innovative, structural change, we invite you to apply for the Higher Aspirations Counselor/Coordinator. At Gavilan College, we welcome your commitment to fostering a learning environment where resources are devoted to developing opportunities for students to break barriers and thrive as scholars and community members.

Under the direction and supervision of the Director of Basic Needs & Success, the Higher Aspirations Counselor/Coordinator will provide a wide range of program coordination, counseling, and support services to current and formerly incarcerated students. This position will provide specialized support using a trauma-informed, case-management approach to supporting current and formerly incarcerated students. Perform core counseling functions: academic, career, and personal counseling as well as crisis intervention and outreach. This position will require a flexible schedule that may include summer, evening, weekend, on- and off-campus assignments.

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational and Professional Requirements

• 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 from an accredited college or university
• OR the equivalent

AND

• 1) Have completed a minimum of nine semester units of college course work predominantly relating to ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages OR

• 2) Have completed six semester units or the equivalent of a college-level counseling practicum or counseling field-work courses in a community college, or in a program dealing predominantly with ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages AND

two (2) years of occupational experience in work relating to ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social or academic disadvantages.

Essential Duties:

The Higher Aspirations Counselor/Coordinator is responsible for providing and coordinating delivery of core services which will occur both on-campus and off-campus in multiple ways: in-person, on-line/virtual, individual and group meetings, workshops, and other innovative ways. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinate Higher Aspirations activities and student services to support eligible (current and former) incarcerated student success and retention.
• Provide personal, career, and educational counseling to current and formerly incarcerated students.
• Conduct outreach activities, assist current and formerly incarcerated individuals with verifying eligibility for services and matriculating into the college
• Establish a rapport with students; monitor and track students' academic progress to ensure attainment of educational goal.
• Maintain contact with students throughout their enrollment; and use an early alert system to ensure student persistence and success.
• Coordinate access to basic needs such as food, housing, and transportation and health services as they relate to our formerly incarcerated population.
• Facilitate access and exposure to career, leadership and enrichment events and conferences.
• In collaboration with the college administration, EOPS, CalWORKs/Fresh Success, NextUp and other counselors, implement effective retention and engagement efforts to support the success of formerly incarcerated students.
• Address the counseling and advising needs of students; Prepare multi-year academic plans for graduation and transfer.
• Serve as a liaison with on-campus and off-campus agencies that support formerly incarcerated students i.e., El Centro, Financial Aid, Accessible Education Center, Reentry Centers, San Benito County Jail, social service, and community agencies.
• Participate in internal and external meetings with incarcerated and formerly incarcerated support networks and partner agencies.
• This position may teach counseling, career, and orientation courses related to the assignment as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Standard duties expected of all faculty include development and evaluation of curricula, maintaining scheduled office hours, attending department and division meetings, pursuing professional growth activities, service on district and/or college committees, and performing other duties consistent with the role of faculty.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to:

• Work with students who have been impacted by incarceration, trauma, and abuse.
• Coordinate a comprehensive student support program for eligible students.
• Serve as a liaison and network with on and off campus programs and agencies that provide services to formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Organize and coordinate events.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and facilitation skills both in-person and online/virtually.
• Compile data and complete reports on the status of students served by the Higher Aspirations Program.
• Collaborate with other departments to facilitate student support services.

Experience/Knowledge of:

• Challenges experienced by incarceration and trauma-informed communication practices.
• Experience developing and conducting academic and personal development opportunities and activities specific to the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Policies and procedures related to the jail, prisons, and probation systems for both adults and youth.
• Programs and services from which formerly incarcerated students can receive assistance.
• Principles of student engagement, development, and retention.
• Knowledge of and experience in consensus building within a diverse educational environment.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To be considered for this excellent opportunity, please submit ONLY the following items directly through the CCC Registry Website at https://apptrkr.com/4136450 no later than 5:00pm on Friday, May 26, 2023.

• CCC Registry online application (all sections are required to be completed, Education, Employment History, Professional References, General Information, and Diversity Statement). Apply at https://apptrkr.com/4136450 *
• Cover letter no longer than one page indicating why you are interested in this position*
• Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae or Resume*
• Completion of attached supplemental questionnaire addressing how you meet the Latinx Community Cluster Hire qualifications*
• Unofficial transcripts* (official transcripts will be required if hired for the position)

*Denotes application materials that are required for full consideration.

Applicants who do not meet minimum qualifications must submit a Supplemental Application for Equivalency: https://www.gavilan.edu/jobs/apps/Supp_App_Equiv_Det.pdf

FOREIGN DEGREE HOLDERS

For positions requiring a degree, all foreign degree credentials must be evaluated by a third party to determine the equivalent U.S. degree and major, and the Foreign Credential Evaluation must be attached to your application before your application will be considered. Not attaching your Foreign Credential Evaluation will render your application incomplete. Evaluations should provide the name of the institution attended, a description of your credentials, the major field of study, and the U.S. equivalent for each credential. For a list of evaluating agencies, visit the http://www.gavilan.edu/. Note: Even if you obtained your graduate degree(s) in the U.S., you must attach a Foreign Credential Evaluation for your undergraduate degree if it was obtained outside the U.S.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are required to compile summary data on applicants. We are requesting your assistance in providing the information on the personal and ethnicity section of your CCC Registry profile. The completion of the questionnaire is voluntary. The form will remain in the Human Resources department and will be kept confidential and separate from all hiring documents. It will not be forwarded to those making employment decisions.

If you have questions related to the CCC Registry or technical aspects regarding submitting application materials on the https://www.cccregistry.org/jobs/index.aspx, please contact the CCC Registry directly at registry@yosemite.edu or call (800) 245-4157.

Please make sure to contact the CCC Registry at (800) 245-4157 AFTER you have applied for this job to verbally confirm that your application materials were submitted correctly and that your application is included in this recruitment.

If you have a verifiable disability and require accommodation to complete the application process, please contact the Human Resources Office at (408) 852-2823.

Please be aware, the District does not reimburse for expenses related to the recruitment process.

NON-DISCRIMINATION

Gavilan Joint Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, language, accent, immigration status, ancestry, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, transgender, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability and any other status protected by applicable federal and state laws. Applicants who require accommodations to complete the application or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at (408) 852-2823 for assistance.