Counselor: Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSP&S)

Counselor Position at Ventura College

Under the general supervision of a dean, a Counselor provides comprehensive counseling, career guidance, and advisement services to students from diverse backgrounds for the purpose of developing and facilitating the attainment of their academic, vocational and personal objectives. There is one full-time, tenure-track position at Ventura College that will begin during the Fall 2026 semester, pending board approval. Please note that all academic employees of the District are scheduled depending upon staffing needs as defined within the terms of the VCCCD/AFT Agreement. Nontraditional assignments such as evening, weekend, or off-site assignments may be made with consent of faculty member, management or when special conditions exist on a campus as defined.

Established in 1925, Ventura College was one of the first community colleges in California and currently has an enrollment of 14,500 students. Located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara, the 112-acre campus is set in the rolling hills of Ventura – so close to the ocean that there is a clear view of the Channel Islands from several spots on campus.

The Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD) is a public community college district serving residents throughout Ventura County. VCCCD's three colleges - Moorpark College, Oxnard College, and Ventura College - offer programs for transfer to four-year colleges and universities; career technical training, basic skills instruction; as well as community service, economic development, and continuing education for cultural growth, life enrichment, and skills improvement.

The Ventura County Community College District recognizes that a diverse community of faculty, staff, and administrators promotes academic excellence and creates an inclusive educational and work environment for its employees, contractors, students, and the community it serves. With the understanding that a diverse community fosters multi-cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides role models for all students, VCCCD is committed to recruiting and employing a diverse and qualified group of administrators, faculty, and staff members who are dedicated to the success of all college students.

The Ventura County Community College District does not engage in any employment practice that discriminates against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of ethnic group identification, race, color, language, accent, immigration status, ancestry, national origin, political beliefs, age, gender, sex, religion, transgender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, and/or physical or mental disability.

Representative Duties

Provide comprehensive academic, personal and vocational counseling to students; assist students in developing their educational plans and acquisition of college survival skills; foster academic success to retain students; assist students in the selection of a course of study, major, or certificate program. Refer students to appropriate support services, programs, resources, and other professionals based on need and eligibility for assistance; monitor academic progress; and counsel students on academic probation. Develop individual plans with students preparing to enter the labor market; identify skill training needs and opportunities for student internship, job search, work experience/work-study and employment. Counsel students regarding career choices, goal setting, and decision making; provide information on the matriculation process and program requirements at other colleges or universities. Assist in the development of outreach activities to identify and recruit eligible students and facilitate their enrollment in the college. Conduct orientation events to familiarize students with the location and function of college programs and services, including the application and registration process, academic and grading standards, college terminology, course add and drop procedures and related rules, and financial aid application procedures. Maintain current, accurate records of counseling sessions; assist in compiling statistical data and prepare reports related to program operations, activities, and progress. Assist in the preparation of counseling-related publications and presentation of workshops for targeted populations. Advocate for students with special needs and collaborate with college instructors, counselors, and other campus and community resources to assist students in the pursuit of their educational goals. Assist in the development and implementation of programs focusing on access and retention for targeted populations. Provide work direction to others. Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must possess the minimum qualifications for the discipline as approved by the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and defined in the Minimum Qualifications for Faculty and Administrators in California Community Colleges handbook. Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling OR Master's degree in counseling, guidance counseling, student personnel, clinical or counseling psychology, education counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy, marriage, family and child counseling, OR a Bachelor's degree in marriage and family therapy or in marriage, family and child counseling AND possession of a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT); AND either 15 or more semester units in upper division or graduate level course work related to people with disabilities, OR completion of six semester units, or the equivalent of a graduate-level counseling practicum or counseling field work courses, in a post-secondary Disabled Students Programs and Services program or in a program dealing with people with disabilities, OR two years of full time experience, or the equivalent, in one or more of the following: (A) Counseling for students with disabilities; or (B) Counseling in industry, government, public agencies, military or private social welfare organizations in which the responsibilities are for persons with disabilities OR the equivalent. All coursework must be from a recognized accredited college or university. If you have completed your education at an institution outside of the United States, please see the section below titled "Foreign Transcripts" for additional information.