Modesto Junior College

Counselor, EOPS - Full-Time Tenure Track - Special Programs/ Student Services - Modesto Junior College

Salary:  Placement on the Yosemite Community College District salary schedule dependent upon education and experience. 2022-2023 Salary Schedule – $66,698 to $124,506 per year, plus an annual $2,725 stipend for an earned doctorate. New personnel limited to a maximum tenth step initial placement based on previous experience – maximum equals $103,538.

Closing Date: Tuesday, September 26th, 2023 at 11:59pm.

To apply, submit your application and required documents on-line via our applicant system at: http://50.73.55.13/counter.php?id=267346

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A Master’s degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy, or marriage, family and child counseling (Note: A license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), is an alternative qualification for this discipline, pursuant to Title 5 Section 53410.1); OR the equivalent; OR meet the minimum qualifications for a student services administrator as specified in Title 5 Section 53420, or must possess a Community College Supervision Credential.

In addition, must have, within the last four years, two years of full-time experience or the equivalent: as a community college EOPS counselor or EOPS instructor, or have comparable experience in working with disadvantaged clientele, AND in addition; have completed a minimum of nine (9) semester units of college course work predominantly relating to ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages, OR have completed six (6) semester units or the equivalent of a college-level counseling practicum or counseling field work courses in a community college EOPS/CARE Programs, or in a program dealing predominantly with ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages; AND in addition; shall have two (2) years of occupational experience in work relating to ethnic minorities or persons handicapped by language, social, or economic disadvantages.

The District has adopted equivalency procedures which enables applications by individuals not possessing qualifications listed above. Applicants who desire consideration according to equivalency procedures must submit a completed Equivalency Form with their application. The form, policy, and procedures can be found at http://www.yosemite.edu/hr/documents.htm for more information on equivalencies contact the Human Resources office at (209)575-6900.

Knowledge of and ability to appraise the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students. Sensitivity to the needs, problems and challenges associated with the diversity of the community college student population.

Job Description Summary:

Under the direction of the Dean of Special Programs, be responsible for supporting and encouraging the enrollment, retention and academic goal attainment of students handicapped by language, social, economic and educational disadvantages, and facilitating the successful completion of their goals and objectives in college through academic and support counseling, financial aid and other support services via in-person and on-line spaces.

EOPS: Academic Counselor:

• Conduct individual student counseling appointments, including drop-in meetings and group workshops. Assignment will include some weekend and evening duties.

• Teach orientation sessions to new students to acquaint them with Modesto Junior College programs, services, procedures and policies.

• Help students understand the increasingly complex process of applying to the college and registering for classes.

• Assist students with determining career goals, including administering and interpreting assessments, and linking those goals to a corresponding educational objective.

• Advise students with making course selections and help them to create an Educational Plan.

• Discuss university transfer options and help students to make positive and realistic transfer decisions.

• Refer students to appropriate student support and educational services on campus.

• Perform outreach to local high schools (college nights, career days, etc.).

• Monitor, support, and encourage struggling students during the academic and/or progress probation process.

• Serve as liaison with CSU and UC systems, and private and out-of-state institutions, to gather and disseminate ever-changing transfer information to students.

• Teach a wide variety of Guidance classes.

• Help students cope with the stresses and strains of college, and life in general.

• Refer students to ongoing mental health (therapeutic) counseling as needed.

• Provide counseling support and referrals to students dealing with personal issues; Special Programs, such as, CARE, LGBTQ+, UndocuAlly, Veterans, ASC, Athletes, Umoja, CalWORKs, and Mental Health and Community Agencies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge and ability related to the technical aspects of providing online services within a two-year college counseling function;

• Experience as a Counselor in higher education, preferably at a community college;

• Ability to serve as a leader to highly trained and experienced classified staff;

• Commitment to maintain currency in the discipline, and use of advanced technology and social media as a teaching and counseling tool;

• Strong commitment to professional growth and development, and to the continued innovation and improvement of successful counseling, teaching and student support;

• Ability to work effectively with computers and other forms of advanced technology utilized in providing high quality counseling and instruction including the understanding and successful use of learning technology, and experience with online teaching and pedagogy;

• Willingness to facilitate and encourage students’ success by working to develop multidisciplinary, varied and innovative academic learning environments;

• Participate in the development and implementations of intensive services focusing on EOPS, CalWORKs students; assist with the data collection and preparation of evaluation reports on the status of the Special Funded Programs.

• Refer students to college services or appropriate social services.

• Participate in college-wide planning meetings and act as a resource and advocate for EOPS and CalWORKs students.

• Ability and willingness to teach a wide range of classes as schedules and institutional commitments require;

• Ability to communicate professionally and clearly with students and staff, both orally and in writing;

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with on-campus groups (including students, faculty, administrators and staff), as well as, off-campus community and educational partners;

• Demonstrated sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and disability backgrounds of community college students;

• Understanding of the comprehensive nature of a general counselor at a community college;

• Commitment to supportive relations with students, which includes sensitivity to the needs and problems of a diverse, multicultural student population;

• Highly developed counseling skills, which enable one to comfortably deal with a variety of personal issues without reflecting personal bias;

• Highly developed interpersonal skills;

• Willingness to use available technologies and assessment instruments with the ability to provide effective interpretation to students;

• Knowledge of career counseling; concepts, issues and resources

DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Experience in community college-based grant funded programs and/or categorical programs.

• Competence in current professional principles, practices and techniques for counseling.

• Experience in counseling students from traditionally disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities, Veterans, and/or single parents.

• Ability to conduct and develop educational workshops; educational plans, CSU/UC applications, TAG, Advising.

• Willingness to use available technologies and classroom assessment instruments/techniques and the ability to provide effective interpretation to faculty and administrators.

• Awareness and commitment to the philosophy and objectives of the California Community College.

• Proficiency in the use of word processing, data collection and spreadsheet software. Ability to use the Internet as an information resource.

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

• Commitment to shared governance culture, consensus building, and a team approach to serving students.

• Sensitivity to the needs, problems and challenges associated with the diversity of the community college student population, especially those with different levels of academic preparation and varying physical and learning abilities.