What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counselor Full-Time Tenure Track (2 Positions) position at Cuesta College?
Cuesta College
Salary: $6,066.33 - $9,403.08 Monthly
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FY2425-00126
Location: All Campuses and Distance Education, CA
Department: Student Success & Support Programs
Closing: 4/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description Summary
DEFINITION
Under the direction of assigned educational administrator, General Counselor provides personal, career and academic counseling to a diverse student population to achieve their educational goals. The Counselor is expected to provide support for students throughout their time at the college. including identifying an area of study, entry, progress, and completion. Interventions shall include activities supporting the matriculation process, orientation, retention and persistence, classroom presentations, outreach activities, completion efforts, also provide leadership in areas of student intervention strategies and working with academically challenged students. This position includes participation in department, division, and college committees. The assignments may be at any of our campus locations, day, evening, weekend, online, or off-campus and are subject to change as needed.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents in this position support our Guided Pathways Framework, student learning outcomes, and institutional effectiveness by encouraging and motivating students of diverse backgrounds, learning abilities, and socioeconomic levels to attain the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their educational goals.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.
Who We Are
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.
Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html
Essential Functions & Qualifications
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide innovative approaches while engaging in the recruitment, orientation, registration, and retention of students, informing them of Cuesta College's degree, certificate, vocational, and transfer opportunities;
Provide students culturally competent academic and personal counseling that will stimulate growth in the understanding of self and others, preparing them to become engaged workforce participants;
Maintain currency in the proper use of various counseling assessment techniques;
Assist with tracking, scheduling and follow-up of required student contacts, including but not limited to maintaining documentation of counseling-related activities;
Support students to identify and clarify their educational goals and provide guided exploration and pathway maps to those goals;
Utilize degree audit system, other appropriate technology, and websites when counseling students and developing Student Education Plans (SEP);
Provide referrals to academic and student support services;
Provide follow-up and support to students with unsatisfactory academic progress;
Continually improve counseling skills, maintain currency with transfer articulation agreements, transfer policies, and technology tools;
Establish and maintain a schedule of regular counseling opportunities for students (i.e.: individual, in-person, group, hybrid, and on-line);
Demonstrate proficiency and assist students with counseling resources;
Participate in accreditation, program review, and processes for institutional planning, including but not limited to the support of Counseling Department Student Service Outcomes (SSO) development and assessment;
Collaborate with college departments across campus to stay current in specific information relevant to Area of Studies requirements;
Develop working relationships with and communicate information to counseling personnel, academic departments, local area high schools, and the community;
Assume the responsibility as a faculty member for accomplishing the goals of Cuesta College in participating in outreach, in-reach and enrollment management activities;
Support the mission, goals, and objectives of Cuesta College, using them as broad guidelines in counseling and assisting students;
Participate in ongoing professional development activities related to the field of counseling in the California Community College system;
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college faculty, staff and students;
Adhere to the regularly scheduled work week as established by the administration and in alignment with the Collective Bargaining Agreement; and
Assignments may include day, evening, weekend and/or online at all Cuesta College campus locations and modalities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Recent/ and relevant experience providing academic counseling at the Community College level;
Experience counseling underrepresented community college students during the last four years;
Professional work experience in the field of counseling, including evaluation of transcripts, research and articulation;
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students;
Understanding of Guided Pathways framework for student success;
Understanding and working knowledge of California Community College policies and regulations, collegiality and innovation to enhance counseling and promote student success and completion;
Ability to cooperate and collaborate in a way that reflects cultural sensitivity; and
Knowledge of technology in counseling, including online counseling.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Cuesta College and the Student Success and Support Programs value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Cuesta College employees value diversity, the principles of equity-focused practice, the importance of inclusion in a professional educational community, and the value of equity-mindedness. Counselors are committed to collaborating with faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners committed to closing equity gaps. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:
Understand the importance of holding oneself accountable for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive;
Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives; and
Knowledge of the policies and regulations of California Community College counseling.
To be considered for the General Counselor discipline:
At least 3 years of community college counseling experience (either full-time or the equivalent to full-time), within the last six years;
Knowledge of counseling and guidance principles, techniques and procedures; academic requirements for community college and transfer to four-year Institutions; community college onboarding processes, job market, career trends and requirements, electronic data entry and record-keeping practices;
Experience counseling historically underrepresented community college students within the last four years;
Willingness to examine and revise one's counseling practices to more effectively engage and support racially minoritized and other disproportionately impacted students;
Experience and skill in addressing inequity;
Experience and expertise in culturally responsive counseling;
Demonstrated ability to address equity gaps;
Demonstrated knowledge of the implications of the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation for institutional, departmental, and instructional practices;
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals and in making presentations to groups;
Awareness of the philosophy and objectives of California Community Colleges.
Additional Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.
Cover letter;
Resume;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Unofficial transcripts (see further instructions below);
Counseling Philosophy/Diversity statement (see further instructions below). Counseling Philosophy/Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community. In order to best prepare your diversity statement for this application, please review our Academic Senate approved Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rubric, please visit our Equal Employment Opportunity Page: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/eeo/index.html
Write a reflective essay (500 words or less) detailing your approach to counseling and your commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Consider how your personal values align with the principles of Cuesta College Mission Statement . Additionally, discuss specific strategies and best practices you would employ when counseling students that includes racially-minoritized and underserved individuals. How do you envision contributing to Cuesta College's mission and goals related to equity and inclusion?
Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.
Unofficial Transcript Instructions: Transcripts need to show that you meet the minimum qualifications (with degree conferred) and/or have a foreign degree evaluation completed if the degree you hold is from outside of the US. If the titles of your degrees on your transcripts do not show that you meet the minimum qualifications as written above, it is necessary to submit an equivalency petition with your application. See below for more information about equivalency.
Equivalency Petition Process Information: Faculty shall meet the minimum qualifications established by the Board of Governors, or shall possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications set out in the regulations of the Board of Governors. If a candidate's earned degrees do not exactly match the minimum qualifications, they can submit a Petition for Equivalency form in order to apply for equivalency. For more information on the process, please review the links below.
Equivalency Process (AP 7211) (Download PDF reader)
Petition for Equivalency Form
Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position . LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Please contact HR to ensure all documents have been uploaded and your file is complete up until 72 hours before the closing date.
SALARY SCHEDULE
Salary is determined by education and experience. More information regarding our current salary schedules can be found on the following link: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.
San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address:
https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act
Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html
Interview Process Information
Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Tuesday, April 29 or Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Second interviews will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The selected applicant will begin their full-time counseling assignment for the 2025-2026 school year on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta
The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.
jeid-1883c4f09902e646873aea3122e7a0b7
Salary: $6,066.33 - $9,403.08 Monthly
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FY2425-00126
Location: All Campuses and Distance Education, CA
Department: Student Success & Support Programs
Closing: 4/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific
Job Description Summary
DEFINITION
Under the direction of assigned educational administrator, General Counselor provides personal, career and academic counseling to a diverse student population to achieve their educational goals. The Counselor is expected to provide support for students throughout their time at the college. including identifying an area of study, entry, progress, and completion. Interventions shall include activities supporting the matriculation process, orientation, retention and persistence, classroom presentations, outreach activities, completion efforts, also provide leadership in areas of student intervention strategies and working with academically challenged students. This position includes participation in department, division, and college committees. The assignments may be at any of our campus locations, day, evening, weekend, online, or off-campus and are subject to change as needed.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Incumbents in this position support our Guided Pathways Framework, student learning outcomes, and institutional effectiveness by encouraging and motivating students of diverse backgrounds, learning abilities, and socioeconomic levels to attain the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve their educational goals.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
Where You Will Work
Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.
Who We Are
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.
Additional information about the college can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html
The college planning documents can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html
Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html
We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html
Essential Functions & Qualifications
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Provide innovative approaches while engaging in the recruitment, orientation, registration, and retention of students, informing them of Cuesta College's degree, certificate, vocational, and transfer opportunities;
Provide students culturally competent academic and personal counseling that will stimulate growth in the understanding of self and others, preparing them to become engaged workforce participants;
Maintain currency in the proper use of various counseling assessment techniques;
Assist with tracking, scheduling and follow-up of required student contacts, including but not limited to maintaining documentation of counseling-related activities;
Support students to identify and clarify their educational goals and provide guided exploration and pathway maps to those goals;
Utilize degree audit system, other appropriate technology, and websites when counseling students and developing Student Education Plans (SEP);
Provide referrals to academic and student support services;
Provide follow-up and support to students with unsatisfactory academic progress;
Continually improve counseling skills, maintain currency with transfer articulation agreements, transfer policies, and technology tools;
Establish and maintain a schedule of regular counseling opportunities for students (i.e.: individual, in-person, group, hybrid, and on-line);
Demonstrate proficiency and assist students with counseling resources;
Participate in accreditation, program review, and processes for institutional planning, including but not limited to the support of Counseling Department Student Service Outcomes (SSO) development and assessment;
Collaborate with college departments across campus to stay current in specific information relevant to Area of Studies requirements;
Develop working relationships with and communicate information to counseling personnel, academic departments, local area high schools, and the community;
Assume the responsibility as a faculty member for accomplishing the goals of Cuesta College in participating in outreach, in-reach and enrollment management activities;
Support the mission, goals, and objectives of Cuesta College, using them as broad guidelines in counseling and assisting students;
Participate in ongoing professional development activities related to the field of counseling in the California Community College system;
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college faculty, staff and students;
Adhere to the regularly scheduled work week as established by the administration and in alignment with the Collective Bargaining Agreement; and
Assignments may include day, evening, weekend and/or online at all Cuesta College campus locations and modalities.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Recent/ and relevant experience providing academic counseling at the Community College level;
Experience counseling underrepresented community college students during the last four years;
Professional work experience in the field of counseling, including evaluation of transcripts, research and articulation;
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students;
Understanding of Guided Pathways framework for student success;
Understanding and working knowledge of California Community College policies and regulations, collegiality and innovation to enhance counseling and promote student success and completion;
Ability to cooperate and collaborate in a way that reflects cultural sensitivity; and
Knowledge of technology in counseling, including online counseling.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:
Cuesta College and the Student Success and Support Programs value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Cuesta College employees value diversity, the principles of equity-focused practice, the importance of inclusion in a professional educational community, and the value of equity-mindedness. Counselors are committed to collaborating with faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners committed to closing equity gaps. An equity-minded individual is a person who already does or has demonstrated the desire to:
Understand the importance of holding oneself accountable for closing equity gaps and engaging in equitable practices;
Reframe inequities as a problem of practice and view the elimination of inequities as an individual and collective responsibility;
Encourage positive race-consciousness and embrace human difference;
Reflect on institutional and teaching practices and aim to make them more culturally responsive;
Strategically build buy-in and participation among colleagues for equity-related initiatives; and
Knowledge of the policies and regulations of California Community College counseling.
To be considered for the General Counselor discipline:
- 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, from an accredited institution;
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in one of the listed degrees AND a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT);
- The equivalent. (Candidates applying on the basis of equivalency must submit all materials requested for an equivalency judgment. For directions on what is an acceptable equivalency argument please review the requirements listed on the HR Website or see further information on Equivalency Petition Process Information below.)
- A valid Community College credential in the discipline (If received prior to 1990, as the credential is no longer being issued).
- Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
At least 3 years of community college counseling experience (either full-time or the equivalent to full-time), within the last six years;
Knowledge of counseling and guidance principles, techniques and procedures; academic requirements for community college and transfer to four-year Institutions; community college onboarding processes, job market, career trends and requirements, electronic data entry and record-keeping practices;
Experience counseling historically underrepresented community college students within the last four years;
Willingness to examine and revise one's counseling practices to more effectively engage and support racially minoritized and other disproportionately impacted students;
Experience and skill in addressing inequity;
Experience and expertise in culturally responsive counseling;
Demonstrated ability to address equity gaps;
Demonstrated knowledge of the implications of the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation for institutional, departmental, and instructional practices;
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals and in making presentations to groups;
Awareness of the philosophy and objectives of California Community Colleges.
Additional Information
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY
Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.
Cover letter;
Resume;
Reference List (see further instructions below);
Unofficial transcripts (see further instructions below);
Counseling Philosophy/Diversity statement (see further instructions below). Counseling Philosophy/Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community. In order to best prepare your diversity statement for this application, please review our Academic Senate approved Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Rubric, please visit our Equal Employment Opportunity Page: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/eeo/index.html
Write a reflective essay (500 words or less) detailing your approach to counseling and your commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. Consider how your personal values align with the principles of Cuesta College Mission Statement . Additionally, discuss specific strategies and best practices you would employ when counseling students that includes racially-minoritized and underserved individuals. How do you envision contributing to Cuesta College's mission and goals related to equity and inclusion?
Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.
Unofficial Transcript Instructions: Transcripts need to show that you meet the minimum qualifications (with degree conferred) and/or have a foreign degree evaluation completed if the degree you hold is from outside of the US. If the titles of your degrees on your transcripts do not show that you meet the minimum qualifications as written above, it is necessary to submit an equivalency petition with your application. See below for more information about equivalency.
Equivalency Petition Process Information: Faculty shall meet the minimum qualifications established by the Board of Governors, or shall possess qualifications that are at least equivalent to the minimum qualifications set out in the regulations of the Board of Governors. If a candidate's earned degrees do not exactly match the minimum qualifications, they can submit a Petition for Equivalency form in order to apply for equivalency. For more information on the process, please review the links below.
Equivalency Process (AP 7211) (Download PDF reader)
Petition for Equivalency Form
Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position . LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Please contact HR to ensure all documents have been uploaded and your file is complete up until 72 hours before the closing date.
SALARY SCHEDULE
Salary is determined by education and experience. More information regarding our current salary schedules can be found on the following link: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.
San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.
In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address:
https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act
Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html
Interview Process Information
Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview on Tuesday, April 29 or Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
Second interviews will be held via Zoom on Friday, May 2, 2025.
The selected applicant will begin their full-time counseling assignment for the 2025-2026 school year on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cuesta
The San Luis Obispo County Community College District promotes inclusiveness, prohibits discrimination, and encourages all qualified persons to apply. As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, Cuesta College actively seeks candidates with diverse backgrounds to assist students, staff, and faculty. For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) assistance with the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office: (805) 546-3129.
jeid-1883c4f09902e646873aea3122e7a0b7
Salary : $6,066 - $9,403
