Mental Health Counselor (Veterans)

This position may include a combination of day, evening, weekend, and extension site assignments. Successful candidate may be assigned to any of the campus sites (Chula Vista, National City, Otay Mesa, and/or San Ysidro). Southwestern Community College District is seeking a full-time, tenure-track, equity-focused counseling faculty member committed to serving its culturally diverse student population. Southwestern Community College District seeks counseling faculty who will foster an inclusive learning environment through equity-minded counseling, teaching, leadership, and service to students working toward goals of university transfer, associate degree and certificate completion, employment advancement, and personal growth.

THE COLLEGE

Southwestern Community College District (SWCCD) is not just a college district; it is a vibrant hub of higher education serving the diverse communities of Chula Vista, San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, National City, and Coronado. Our strategic location in south San Diego County places us in a unique position to provide exceptional services to a binational community along the United States-Mexico International Border. As a proud Hispanic Serving Institution and eligible Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (ANNAPISI), SWCCD places immense value on equity, inclusion, diversity, and culturally responsive classroom instruction and support services. We understand that each employee and student bring a unique set of experiences and perspectives to our campus, and we are committed to creating an environment that welcomes and celebrates this diversity. The College is dedicated to providing quality academic programs, comprehensive student support services that ensure equitable access, and clear pathways to student success. These efforts include professional development opportunities, employee-led affinity groups, proud commitment to DACA students, and supportive employee onboarding practices.

OUR STUDENTS

SWCCD currently enrolls approximately 32,000 students annually. SWCCD is a very diverse college with an ethnicity/race make up of 58% Hispanic students, 19% Caucasian students, 6% Filipino students, 5% African American students, 2% Asian students and 3% multi-ethnicity. Approximately 56% of the college’s students are under the age of 24 with 28% ages 25 to 39. Approximately 53% of students receive some form of financial aid, 39% are full-time students and 61% part-time students. The college has approximately 1,500 employees.

OUR VALUES

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, academic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. We seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. Successful candidates will be expected to exhibit responsiveness and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, religious, and ethnic and racial backgrounds of community college students and employees, and successfully foster and support an inclusive educational and employment environment. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to: Critically self-assess their individual impact, through teaching practices and student engagement, on closing equity gaps and holds themselves accountable to upholding and delivering equitable practices. Reframe deficit language and take individual and collective responsibility to look at their own practices as a vehicle to eliminate inequities. Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human differences. Strategically encourage and build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity efforts.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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 possession of a valid California Community College Credential in 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.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Licensure in California as a Psychologist, Clinical Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist, or Professional Clinical Counselor. Additional assessment is required for applicants with foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States. Applicants must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and must submit a copy of the evaluation with the application.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Mental health counseling experience, preferably involving experience working with underprepared and at-risk students as well as individuals with disabilities. Experience working in a community with a similar diversity pattern as is found in the service area for Southwestern College. Bilingual skills in Spanish/English and other languages. 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. A short teaching demonstration may be required of those invited for an interview.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: Diverse student populations. Counseling principles, practices, and techniques. Applicable policies, procedures, goals, and objectives of a student mental health program. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Effective and appropriate communication skills. Principles and procedures of record keeping and report preparation. English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy. Oral and written communication skills. Ability to: Provide a full range of mental health counseling services to a diverse student population. Evaluate, treat, and manage acute and serious psychological disorders. Exercise critical and independent judgment. Maintain accurate and complete records and prepare clear and concise reports. Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and District policies, laws, and regulations including to apply legal and ethical standards of licensed mental health professionals. Effectively utilize applicable computer software applications. Work with and exhibit sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse racial, ethnic, disabled, sexual orientation, and cultural populations of community college students. Establish collaborative relationship with local mental health agencies. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Mental Health Counselor Under the direction and leadership of the Director of Student Development and Health Services, the Mental Health Counselor assigned to supporting veterans of the military ideally will have knowledge of the lived experiences of veterans. The Mental Health Counselor will provide brief, mental health interventions to students enrolled at Southwestern College to promote emotional health, student success, and retention. These services include psychological assessment, crisis intervention, personal counseling/psychotherapy, case management, wellness workshops, referrals to community services, student, faculty/staff consultations, and staff development activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Plan, develop, and implement the delivery of psychological/mental health services to a culturally and ethnically diverse campus community. Provide psychological services and mental health counseling to students including psychological assessment and brief psychotherapy in support of student academic success and retention. Provide referral services to students in need of psychological resources beyond those offered on campus. Serve as a consultant to faculty, staff, and administration on psychological/mental health matters that may influence the student behavior, motivation, and learning process issues including serious mental illness, thoughts of harm to self or others, domestic and relationship violence, stalking, and substance/alcohol abuse. Provide crisis intervention to students as needed. Provide professional development training; distribute resources to staff and faculty. Develop workshops and programs that enhance students’ abilities to benefit from college including anger management, conflict resolution, domestic violence, and communication skills. Collaborate with student campus community members in designing innovative programs to enhance student success. Maintain collaborative relationships with local mental health agencies; maintain database of community resources. Maintain confidential counseling records. Provide a safe and confidential environment conducive to effective interactions.

SALARY SCHEDULE

Academic Contract 11-Month. Upon initial employment, full-time faculty members are placed on the salary schedule based upon years of experience and education. Initial salary placement for experience can range from $77,303.00-$116,316.00 per year. Faculty members are encouraged to continue their professional development through additional study qualifying them for advancement on the salary schedule. Academic employees participate in the State Teachers’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This is a non-telecommuting position. Environment: Office environment with constant interruptions. Physical Abilities: Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone and to make presentations. Seeing to read and verify data and prepare various materials. Sitting or standing for extended periods of time. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate office equipment including a computer keyboard and peripheral equipment. Hazards: Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals. All application materials must be received in the Human Resources Office. Position is open until filled. Applications received by the first screening deadline of 11:59 p.m. on June 28, 2026 are guaranteed to be reviewed by the selection committee. TENTATIVE TIMELINE (Subject to change): Any application received after the initial screening deadline is not guaranteed a review. #J-18808-Ljbffr Southwestern Community College District