Counselor (Academic Counselor - Veterans)

Southwestern College•Chula Vista, CA

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD) is seeking a full-time, tenure track, equity-focused counselor committed to serving its culturally diverse student population. This role involves providing equity-minded academic, career, and personal counseling to veterans, active and prior military service members, and their dependents. The counselor will assist students in achieving their educational goals, including language acquisition, non-credit to credit pathways, short-term programs, university transfer, associate degree and certificate completion, employment advancement, and personal growth. The position may involve day, evening, weekend, and extension site assignments across various campus locations. SWCCD is a Hispanic Serving Institution and an eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (ANNAPISI) that values equity, inclusion, diversity, and culturally responsive instruction and support services.

Requirements

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, OR Bachelor’s degree in one of the above listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) OR Possession of a valid California Community College Credential in Counseling OR the equivalent.
Candidates must exhibit an appreciation of, a sensitivity to, and respect for a rich and diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological and ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities.
Knowledge of federal and state veterans' educational benefit programs, including the Post-9/11 GI Bill, Montgomery GI Bill, Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), Tuition Assistance, and CalVet College Fee Waiver, as well as the certification, monitoring and compliance requirements associated with these programs.
Knowledge of Chapters 31/33/35, Joint Services Transcripts (JST), Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), military-to-college transition, and evidence of direct work with VA benefit recipients.
Understanding of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Principles of Excellence Program and the ability to implement practices that promote student success, informed decision-making and equitable access to educational opportunities for veterans and military-connected students at a post-secondary college/university.
Knowledge of community, state, federal and campus-based resources available to veterans including vocational rehabilitation, housing assistance, mental health and wellness services, employment resources, and other support programs, with the ability to make appropriate referrals.
Understanding guided pathways and student services and equity-minded practices designed to improve student retention, persistence, and completion.
Knowledge of counseling, instruction, curriculum development, within a community college environment.
Experience utilizing student information systems, degree audit tools, education planning platforms, and other technology systems to support student counseling, case management and educational planning.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty, classified professionals, administrators, Veterans Resource Centers, Admissions and Records, Financial Aid, Disability Support Programs and Services, Career and Transfer Centers, academic departments, university partners, military installations, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and community-based veteran-serving organizations.
Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex student records, including transcripts from multiple institutions, military educational records, Joint Services Transcripts (JST), Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), and transfer credit, and to incorporate applicable coursework, and training into comprehensive educational plans.
Demonstrated successful experience providing comprehensive academic, career, transfer, and personal counseling to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and military-connected students from diverse backgrounds.
Demonstrated ability to apply culturally responsive, equity-minded, and trauma informed, and student-centered counseling practices that support veterans and military-connected students transitioning into and navigating higher education.
Evidence of the ability to identify and provide appropriate interventions for students experiencing academic and progress probation.
Evidence of effective oral and written communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to participate actively in the department, division, college-wide, and shared governance activities.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in a community with a similar diversity pattern as is found in the service area for Southwestern College is preferable.
Experience providing counseling services in a community college or other higher education setting.
Experience working with veterans, active-duty military service members, and dependents.
Demonstrated knowledge of Veterans Affairs educational benefits, certification requirements, polices, and procedures and services offered to veterans.
Experience developing comprehensive educational plans, transfer pathways and career and technical education counseling strategies that support student success.
Bilingual skills in English and other languages.

Responsibilities

Provide equity-minded academic, career, and personal counseling to a diverse student population in Veterans Services, including active and prior military service members, and dependents.
Interpret placement/assessment results.
Develop individual academic/educational plans.
Conduct orientation presentations to large groups of new students.
Provide small group advisement prior to registration.
Conduct group counseling.
Provide Fields of Study counseling support.
Follow up on student progress.
Participate in District shared governance and/or other committees when requested.
Assist in the development of programs and services to promote student retention.
Participate in developing curriculum for Personal Development programs.
Instruct Personal Development classes.
Participate in joint projects with instruction.
Serve as liaison to instructional schools.
Participate in partnership activities with feeder school districts, other colleges/universities, and community colleges.