Rising Scholars Counselor FT - (Tenure Track)

Solano Community College values the diversity of our community and is committed to honoring and empowering all of our students. We are seeking highly-motivated applicants who excel in their chosen fields and are committed to working with the students from our communities. We invite student-oriented applicants who provide culturally responsive teaching, use a strength-based approach centered on students and are committed to continuous improvement of instructional effectiveness.

Solano Community College District is a single college district that serves one of the most ethnically and racially diverse counties in California. Located on the ancestral lands of the Patwin people, Solano Community College's Fairfield campus is in the heart of Suisun Valley midway between San Francisco and Sacramento.

We also serve students at two centers in Vallejo and Vacaville, at Travis Air Force Base, and at three correctional facilities. Our many innovative programs are supported by state-of-the-art facilities, including a brand-new library and learning center.

Students who attend Solano Community College are dedicated, persistent, and remarkable individuals who deserve the best opportunities a community college can provide. Our students come from both urban and rural backgrounds, from the military, and other diverse backgrounds. We serve students who represent the following cultures Asian American (6%), Black/African American (13%), Filipino/a/x (10%), Hispanic/Latino/a/x (33%), Pacific Islanders (1%), and, White Non-Hispanic (24%). We seek candidates who embrace our community, our student population, and who have an unwavering commitment to equity, especially the elimination of barriers to college access, success, and completion.

Solano Community College is committed to applying promising practices in support of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA). We are cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

We invite you to join us on our journey to provide equitable and anti-racist education honoring and empowering the students of Solano Community College.

ABOUT THE DIVISION:

The Counseling Division includes 10 FT Faculty in general counseling and in each student support program under the Counseling Division: ASC (Accessibility Services Center), EOPS/CARE, and CalWORKs.

Our diverse part-time faculty work in our student support programs and in general counseling. The recommended candidate will work collaboratively with the faculty and staff in these areas, as well as the Career Center and Transfer Center, also under the Counseling Division.

DESCRIPTION:

This position is for counseling and teaching face-to-face, correspondence, or online courses in Solano College's Rising Scholars Program. The Rising Scholars Program provides college courses and academic counseling services to incarcerated students at local prisons and detention facilities within Solano County, California.

The counseling or teaching schedule will include in-person assignments at one or more correctional facilities and may include remote or online counseling or teaching. As a condition of employment, the candidate must be able to pass a background check as required to work in a correctional facility. The assignment is for Fall and Spring with optional summer opportunities.

The successful candidate for the FT Tenure Track Rising Scholars Counselor will be well-qualified to counsel students on: academic planning and completion for graduation to work or transfer, career exploration/planning, personal situations as they impact academic completion, and referrals for on-going mental wellness.  The successful candidate will also be well-qualified to present to groups and teach on topics such as career planning and student life success.  We are specifically seeking a candidate who has the expertise and enthusiasm to work with students impacted by the criminal justice system.

APPLICATION PROCESS DETAILS:

• To be considered for this position, completed applications and supporting materials must be received by the application deadline.

• Meeting the minimum qualifications does not assure the candidate an interview. It is, therefore, important that the application be thorough and detailed.

• Reference checks for the finalists will be conducted.

• Candidates should not expect official notification until the selection of the candidate has been completed.

• The College may re-advertise or delay filling a position.

• First level interviews may be offered remotely.

• Second level interviews may be facilitated in person or remotely. It will be the candidate's choice. Travel costs related to the interview are the responsibility of the candidate.

• Finalists will be invited to a second interview with the Superintendent/President.

In addition to contractual duties, all full-time faculty are expected to participate actively in their disciplines, department activities, and the general intellectual life and governance of the college. Counseling/teaching assignments may be split between day and evening, including weekend days, as well as between the main campus, the Vacaville and Vallejo Centers, Travis AFB, correctional facilities, other off-campus sites, and online. Qualified candidates will demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of Solano Community College students and advance equitable student learning and completion through dedicated, exemplary counseling.

Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Provide academic and career counseling services and/or teach Counseling division courses for the Rising Scholars programs. Conduct scheduled and drop-in individual/group counseling sessions as assigned; maintain informational notes, student education plans, and reports as required by the Dean of External Programs and Dean of Counseling; conduct onsite counseling assignments; assist with student outreach/in-reach presentations on a variety of topics; assist with orientation and recruitment programming; maintain current knowledge of academic and career counseling techniques and information; attend required trainings and professional development; coordinate appropriate student referrals to campus and public service agencies as necessary; serve as liaison to assigned academic divisions, departments, or special areas; utilize a variety of computer software systems for career and academic counseling/teaching; and perform special duties as assigned.

The Counseling Division provides counseling/teaching to a variety of facilities with incarcerated and justice-impacted students. Counseling is provided in-person and through video/online counseling appointments with extensive email and phone communication with the education coordinators at each facility to schedule appointments, receive additional educational information and documents to prepare comprehensive education plans, follow-up on needed academic waivers and petitions, provide information to students in-between appointments for academic success, and answer questions from the education coordinators or students.

Teaching incarcerated students is conducted in-person. Counseling/Teaching assignments for incarcerated students are by agreement with the Dean of External Programs and correctional facilities personnel and are based on successful background clearances needed for any facility.

Provide instruction in accordance with established course outlines and requirements; inform students about course requirements; prepare and grade assignments and examinations; meet administrative timelines and submit completed and required documents, learning outcome assessments, and reports; and maintain required student attendance and scholastic records.

Online teaching assignments require successful completion of approved Distance Education training and correctional facility training and approval.

Academic, Career, and Personal Counseling: Conduct individual/group counseling sessions or workshops/information sessions as assigned; provide counseling for issues impacting retention, persistence, and academic success of diverse populations; prepare and maintain counseling records in current systems; develop, update, and evaluate student education plans using current technology; assist students in exploring four-year college transfer options and understanding transfer agreements and transfer degrees; assist students to clarify life and career goals; utilize and interpret appropriate career assessments, (when certified, if needed); use technology in the counseling/academic environment to enhance student retention and academic completion; maintain current knowledge of academic and career counseling techniques and information; provide triage counseling to students, as appropriate; provide appropriate consultation and student referrals to campus and public service agencies as necessary. Bring a student-focused presence to day-to-day actions.

Specialized Programs: Engage in department/program improvement initiatives; participate in specialized program case management support teams, especially equity, retention, and completion-focused, as needed; participate in program development for specific student and/or prospective student populations, as requested; coordinate activities of specialized programs, as requested; evaluate activities of specialized programs, as applicable.

College-wide Service: Prepare reports as required by the Dean of External Programs or Dean of Counseling; attend and actively participate in scheduled Division meetings and required trainings/professional development; serve on committees as assigned by the Dean of External Programs and Dean of Counseling; participate in Program Review (academic and non-academic); participate in college governance and decision-making; utilize this knowledge to improve Division outcomes and assist students in meeting their educational and career goals; collaborate with colleagues (faculty and classified) to assist the college in fulfilling its obligation to students consistent with the State and campus plans and goals;  maintain appropriate standards of professional conduct and ethics; maintain effective communication with peers, staff, students, and administrators; work collegially with others.

Teaching: As opportunities arise, assigned by Dean of Counseling and the Dean of External Programs.

Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of External Programs or Dean of Counseling.

Candidates must possess: a commitment to encouragement of learning and an enthusiastic attitude toward counseling/student learning; sensitivity to counsel students from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds who may have wide ranges of abilities.

AND

Master's 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 the equivalent 

(NOTE: A bachelor's degree in one of the listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline.)

If you do not meet the minimum qualifications exactly as stated above, you must request an equivalency review and submit conclusive supporting documents at the time of application. Equivalency is defined as possessing the general education for the degree and the major coursework for the degree.

The equivalency request form can be downloaded here. All degrees must be from accredited institutions.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience counseling/teaching at-risk populations and/or under-served populations, including incarcerated or justice-impacted students

• Experience counseling/teaching related to career planning and college success

• Commitment to professional growth and development and to continued innovation and improvement of counseling/ teaching.

• Familiarity and comfort utilizing technology for counseling/teaching

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to use a variety of counseling techniques and strategies to provide academic and career counseling/presentations/instruction.

• Knowledge of current academic and career theories, interventions, and information to assist students in career exploration, major/career decision-making, and academic goal completion.

• Ability to meet administrative deadlines for assignment responsibilities.

• Ability to learn and use computer software and access websites for academic and career counseling/presentations/instruction.

• Knowledge regarding trends and challenges facing diverse community college students.

WORK ENVIROMENT:

The recommended candidate(s) will work in various correctional facilities, often in a small office or larger room with multiple people, in a primarily sedentary nature, either sitting or standing. This role will require significant technology use, including long periods of looking at technology screens and entering information using a keyboard and/or mouse device.

 Interruptions are likely in large room settings and in small office settings.  Frequent use of online meetings technology with webcam on, phone, and email will be required to communicate with all campus communities.