What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Chair_Core Faculty, Counseling Department position at Pacifica Graduate Institute?
Description
The Counseling Psychology Department at Pacifica Graduate Institute is comprised of two depth psychologically focused graduate degree programs, an MA and a PsyD, centered on the preparation of students for licensure as an LMFT and/or LPCC (MA program) or as a Psychologist (PsyD program). The department values a collegial and interpersonal approach to teaching and learning, with a focus on pursuit of licensure and students’ professionalization, where faculty, staff, and students work collaboratively to support student success.
At Pacifica, Program Chairs are considered full-time faculty members with all the rights, responsibilities, and collegial status of our full-time faculty community. The candidate for a core faculty role will be a fully licensed clinician with a passion for teaching, student support, and participating in collaborative department and institutional pedagogical work from a depth psychological lens. In addition to their faculty role, Chairs take on program leadership responsibilities that align with their position as academic administrators. Given the dual nature of this role, below you will find two links for the full job descriptions associated with this position—one outlining the expectations and responsibilities of faculty members at Pacifica, and the other detailing the additional governance, oversight, and administrative duties specific to serving as Chair.
Contracting for the role will begin in September 2025. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest, CV, and three letters of recommendation electronically.
Counseling Psychology Core Faculty.docx
2025 Counseling Chair.docx
Examples of Duties
The Chair position is primarily an administrative role, the Program Chair has the option to teach, but there is no expectation or requirement to do so. The Chair is responsible for academic leadership, faculty supervision, curriculum oversight, student success initiatives, and program accreditation compliance.
The Chair provides leadership in all academic and administrative aspects of the Counseling Psychology program.
RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (Click for Program Chair Job Description):
- Overseeing daily operations and academic programming in alignment with BBS (MA), BoP (PsyD), WSCUC, and DOE standards.
- Managing program governance with the Department Management Council, which includes both Full Time and Adjunct Professors, Departmental Directors.
- Representing the Counseling Psychology program within the institution and at external events.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (CORE FACULTY)
COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT
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Attend all departmental meetings, including:
- Quarterly Faculty & Staff Council Meetings
- Quarterly Department Management Council Meetings
- Department Trainings, Gatherings, and Retreats
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Attend departmental student events, including:
- Student Orientations in Fall Quarter, and as directed in other quarters
- Closing Dinners for all cohorts
- Summer Barbeque events for all cohorts
- Thesis Presentation Day
- Dissertation defenses for committees on which core faculty member serves.
- Contribute to departmental planning and evaluation activities, including curriculum review, faculty search, program evaluation processes, creation and revision of departmental documents.
- Faculty must be able to come to campus for academic sessions, community events, and faculty related meetings.
INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT & DEVELOPMENT
- Attend Commencement ceremonies
- Attend institutional events and gatherings as directed
- Participate in institutional faculty governance and committee work as directed
TEACHING
- Teach the equivalent of 18 units per year in the MA and/or PsyD Counseling Psychology programs (unit release may be accounted for in addendum contracts).
- Support departmental development of curriculum and pedagogy in the MA and/or PsyD Counseling Psychology programs.
- Provide substantive feedback on student papers, providing written feedback throughout the paper and at its end, including a written assessment and justification of the final grade. If a TA is utilized, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to review the TA’s work and ensure that they support comments and final grade.
- Prepare and submit all course materials in established timeframe, including course syllabi, reading list (with clarity on sources and editions), online content creation/review, and back-up plans for coursework to fulfill emergency planning needs.
- Incorporate cross-cultural perspectives and address relevant issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the treatment of course subject matter.
ADMISSIONS ACTIVITIES
- Participate in 2 program breakout information sessions for the MA and/or PsyD Counseling Psychology programs at Pacifica Experience Days each year.
- Participate in 3 months of admissions file review for the Counseling Department each year.
- Participate in 4 scheduled Interview Days for the Counseling Department each year.
- Support departmental admissions processes and developments.
STUDENT SUPPORT
- Respond to all student inquiries within 72 hours, per the Student and Faculty Handbooks
- Be available for student meetings during all academic sessions.
- Post office hours which are the equivalent of one day per week, during which time students may meet in person or electronically.
- Serve as faculty mentor to students as assigned by Department Chair. Reach out to advisees and proactively assist them in completing the program in a quality way, making certain that they understand PGI policies and abide by them.
STUDENT REVIEW & EXAMINATIONS
- Administer 10 Oral Examinations for the MA Counseling Psychology Program OR 10 Comprehensive Examinations for the PsyD Counseling Psychology Program
- Administer Annual Assessments to PsyD Counseling Psychology students as assigned by Department Chair.
STUDENT RESEARCH
- Serve as Portfolio Thesis Advisor for 10 MA Counseling Psychology program students OR provide 10 PsyD Counseling Psychology dissertation commitments (a commitment equals one chair appointment or two reader appointments) OR an equivalent combination across the two program.
ASSESSMENT & ACCREDITATION
- Support departmental assessment and accreditation activities as directed.
- Abide by all BBS (LMFT and LPCC) and BOP (Licensed Psychologist) guidelines and regulations.
- Participate in WSCUC visit and reporting activities as directed.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Maintain active LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or Psychologist licensure.
- Report any concerns or infractions regarding professional licensure to Department Chair immediately.
- Participate in research, writing, publication, and continuing education activities.
INSTITUTIONAL CITIZENSHIP
- Claim one's fair share of the collective work of the academic unit as a fully engaged faculty citizen of the Institute.
- Use one's professional agency to enhance the effectiveness of colleagues within and across the academic program(s) to achieve the work of the unit and institutional health.
- Participate in Chair-directed activities required to create, maintain, and improve the infrastructure that sustains the program and the institute as an effective social institution.
The preceding duties and responsibilities are subject to review and possible revision in conjunction with the annual evaluation process.
Typical Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform the job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above and below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, correspondence and data; strong organizational, administrative, and time-management skills; strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to identify issues and creatively problem-solve on a variety of issues; effective presentation and interpersonal skills; strong ability to exercise sound and experienced judgment based on a thorough knowledge; and ability to engender respect from staff.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Psy.D., Ed.D., or Ph.D. in related discipline required for the doctoral program; minimum M.A. (doctoral degree preferred), in related discipline for the master’s program.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
Current active licensure required as an LMFT, LPCC, LCSW, or Psychologist.
LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to read, write, speak, and receive instruction in English. Intermediate math required.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to mediate and resolve issues; ability to determine issues and creatively problem-solve; ability to engage other departments in meaningful dialogue and articulate issues faced by the department; and ability to analyze the complex and make simple.
COMPUTER SKILLS
PC literate; MS Office (including Word and Excel).
General Office equipment.
PowerCampus experience preferred.
D2L experience preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Ability to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms and talk and hear. Sometimes required to sit, climb and/or balance and stoop, kneel, and crouch. Close- and long-range vision and ability to lift 20 lbs.
MISSION
Contributes to personal, cultural, and planetary concerns of this era through individual and/or collective activities and shepherd’s students in attainment of their educational goals.
Supplemental Information
Pacifica Graduate Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer advancing inclusive excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by nondiscrimination policy.
