Mental Health and Academic Advising Counselor

Centralia College is on a 30-acre campus of modern buildings set among walking paths, lawns, and native plantings just a few blocks from the heart of Centralia, Washington. The college has served students in the Lewis County region since 1925 and is the oldest continuously operating community college in Washington State. The city of Centralia is a historic railroad and river shipping hub with a vibrant downtown and railway station.

As a comprehensive community college, Centralia College offers academic transfer and workforce programs, as well as adult basic education, English as a Second Language (ESL), and personal enrichment classes. The college also offers five Bachelor of Applied Science degrees.

In addition to the main campus in Centralia, Centralia College East in Morton is a smaller site that serves the needs of students in east Lewis County. Centralia College is committed to the success of all students, and thus also provides educational programs at two corrections centers in southwest Washington and one juvenile facility. In total, the college serves more than 4,800 students annually. For nearly 100 years, several generations of Lewis County residents have looked to Centralia College for their education and training needs.

Centralia College is committed to student success, academic excellence, and enhancing and supporting our diverse community in an inclusive and equitable learning environment. We encourage applicants with demonstrated experience collaborating with, and serving, people from a wide range of backgrounds.

For more information on Centralia College and the Centralia area, call 360-736-9391 or visit www.centralia.edu.

Centralia College is dedicated to fostering student success, academic excellence, and community support within an inclusive and equitable learning environment. In the Advising Center, this faculty position primarily provides mental health and academic counseling to students, both individually and in groups. The role offers immediate, short-term assistance to students facing personal, social, emotional, physical, psychological, and behavioral challenges that may hinder their academic success. Additionally, this position will focus on promoting campus wellness initiatives to create a trauma-informed and healing-centered environment.

This is a full-time position, contracted for 177 days, spread across the summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters, with a significant commitment during the summer.

Mental Health Counseling

• Conduct short-term goal-oriented counseling sessions with targeted interventions focused on achieving stability, enhancing coping skills, personal empowerment, and safety.
• Provide crisis counseling to students (individuals and groups) on a wide range of concerns (e.g., anxiety, depression, grief, substance abuse, etc.) that may interfere with their ability to succeed in college.
• Act as a liaison with community organizations regarding local area resources, referrals, and related collaborative efforts.
• Provide group facilitation or leadership for support groups or special interest groups.
• Provide classes, workshops, and related activities to educate campus community about counseling services, mental health topics, etc.
• Provide consultation to faculty, staff, and community regarding how to assist students with personal difficulties, problems, and concerns.
• Use culturally responsive counseling modalities when working with historically underrepresented student populations, at-risk students, and other marginalized student populations.
• Adhere to ACA (American Counseling Association) and State of Washington ethical and legal standards

Academic Counseling:

• Serve the needs of students who represent a broad spectrum of ages, abilities, ethnicities, and educational and cultural backgrounds; infuse multicultural perspectives into course content and delivery.
• Participate in planning and assessment activities
• Guide students, primarily Running Start students, through various college processes to be successful.
• Advise students on a quarterly basis and track student progress throughout program completion.
• Serve as a primary intake advisor for the Advising/Counseling Center.

Co-manage campus early alert system with Dean of Students

• Other duties as assigned:
• Serve on college committees.
• Participate in annual planning and assessment activities.

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or closely related field.
• Licensed or eligible to be licensed prior to employment as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor or Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Washington.
• One year or more post master's degree counseling experience.
• Experience developing and conducting classroom or group presentations for adults.
• Experience using short-term, evidenced-based therapeutic techniques.
• Experience working with individuals in one-on-one and group settings.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Experience working collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Previous counseling experience working with adults in an academic, vocational, or mental health setting.
• Understanding of and commitment to the mission of a community college.
• Teaching experience
• Demonstrated commitment to promote equitable access and educational achievement for diverse students
• Demonstrated strong knowledge and application of the principles and practices of counseling, advising, and student success.
• Experience counseling diverse and minoritized student populations including students with disabilities and BIPOC and Latinx, LGBTQ , veteran, international, undocumented students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge

• Counseling Theories & Techniques - Understand psychological theories, intervention methods, and counseling strategies.
• Mental Health Disorders - Knowledge of common mental health conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD) and treatment approaches.
• Academic Advising - Familiarity with educational pathways, degree requirements, learning strategies, and student success programs.
• Crisis Intervention - Knowledge of techniques to manage crises, including suicide prevention and de-escalation strategies.
• Ethical & Legal Standards - Understand confidentiality (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA), mandatory reporting laws, and professional ethics.
• Diversity & Inclusion - Awareness of cultural competencies, neurodiversity, and strategies for working with diverse populations.
• Substance Abuse & Addiction - Understand addiction counseling principles and recovery resources.
• Psychological Assessments - Knowledge of standardized testing, learning disabilities, and screening tools.
• Educational Psychology - Understand how psychological principles impact learning, motivation, and student performance.

Skills

• Active Listening - Ability to fully engage with clients, understand their concerns, and provide thoughtful responses.
• Empathy & Compassion - Ability to build trust and rapport with clients, offering a supportive and nonjudgmental space.
• Problem-Solving - Ability to assess students' challenges and develop action plans for academic and personal success.
• Crisis Management - Skilled in handling emergency situations and providing appropriate interventions.
• Time Management - Balancing multiple students, case files, and responsibilities effectively.
• Collaboration - Ability to work with educators, mental health professionals, and administrative staff to support students.
• Conflict Resolution - Helping students navigate interpersonal and academic conflicts constructively.
• Adaptability - Ability to adjust counseling techniques to meet diverse student needs and circumstances.
• Technology & Record-Keeping - Proficiency in counseling software, virtual sessions, and maintaining accurate documentation.

Abilities

• Assess Student Needs - Ability to evaluate academic, emotional, and social challenges impacting student success.
• Develop Personalized Plans - Create tailored academic and mental health strategies to help students achieve their goals.
• Maintain Confidentiality - Ensuring ethical standards and legal requirements are met in all interactions.
• Motivate & Empower Students - Encouraging self-efficacy, resilience, and personal growth.
• Recognize Warning Signs - Identifying students at risk of academic failure or mental health crises and intervening appropriately.
• Educate & Advocate - Providing workshops, resources, and advocacy for student well-being.
• Refer to External Resources - Connecting students with additional support such as therapists, tutoring centers, or financial aid.
• Foster a Supportive Environment - Creating a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for all students.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to stand and/or walk for over 30% of the work day; bend; stoop and twist at the waist frequently; reach from knees to shoulder-level frequently and above shoulder-level occasionally; perform repetitive arm/hand motion constantly; occasional handling and/or grasping; hearing should be within normal limits to be able to communicate with students and staff; and must have clear vision, with or without correction to constantly notice details.

This is a full-time, tenure track faculty appointment with employment expected to begin Fall Quarter 2025, subject to state legislative funding. The State of Washington provides a comprehensive benefits package for all state employees.

Centralia College faculty are represented by the Centralia College Federation of Teachers, Local No.4469, AFT/AAFL-CIO.

DEADLINE: Priority screening will begin their review on April 21, 2025. Position is open until filled.

Compensation
Placement on the established faculty salary schedule is dependent upon education and teaching experience. The salary range for a 177-day contract is $71,162 - $106,711.

Application Process
Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Online Application
• Cover Letter that addresses your interest in the position and ability to perform the responsibilities described in this announcement.
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• List of at least three professional references with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

If you are hired, you will need proof of identity, and documentation of U.S. citizenship or legal authorization to work.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Centralia College has a strong institutional commitment to the principles of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we strongly urge all qualified applicants, especially people of color, persons of disability, women, and disabled and Vietnam era veterans, to apply. Centralia College is an Equal Opportunity employer.

It is the policy of Centralia College to assure equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age (over 40), religion, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran.

Centralia College does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Designated Title II, VI, VII, IX, Section 504, ADA compliance officer: Vice President for Human Resources and Equity, Hanson Hall Room 101, Centralia College, 600 Centralia College Blvd, Centralia WA 98531-4099, (360)623-8943.

The Human Resources Office is accessible for persons with disabilities. Those who need disability accommodation in the application/employment process, please call (360)623-8943.

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report-Centralia College's Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-623-8947.

Centralia College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Title IX.