| Location | Phoenix, AZ |
The Spring 2027 Counseling Faculty position provides comprehensive academic, career, and personal counseling services that promote student success, retention, persistence, and educational achievement at South Mountain Community College. Primary responsibilities include counseling, educational and career planning, crisis assessment and intervention, student advocacy, and coordination of campus and community resources to address barriers to academic and personal success. The faculty member collaborates with academic advisors, instructional faculty, student services personnel, and community partners to strengthen student support and improve educational outcomes. The position may also include teaching First-Year Experience (FYE), Counseling, or Personal Development courses within the regular faculty load when counseling service needs have been met and the assignment is approved, or as an authorized overload assignment. Additional responsibilities include professional development, program assessment, institutional service, and initiatives that advance student success and the mission of South Mountain Community College.
Essential Functions
40% Academic, Career, and Personal Counseling
Provides comprehensive individual and group counseling services to support students with academic decision-making, educational planning, career exploration, personal development, adjustment to college, and challenges affecting academic performance and well-being. Applies appropriate counseling theories, evidence-informed interventions, culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices, and professional judgment to help students identify concerns, establish goals, develop coping strategies, and make informed decisions. Administers and interprets appropriate educational and career assessments within professional qualifications and assists students in evaluating academic pathways, occupational options, and educational transitions. Supports student autonomy, personal growth, persistence, and achievement while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
20% Crisis Assessment, Intervention, and Student Safety
Assesses and responds to students experiencing emotional distress, psychological crises, suicidal ideation, or other urgent behavioral health concerns. Conducts appropriate risk and safety assessments, provides crisis intervention within professional scope, and coordinates individualized safety planning, consultation, emergency response, and referrals when indicated. Collaborates with appropriate campus personnel, crisis response teams, and community behavioral health providers to address immediate safety concerns and facilitate continuity of support. Maintains accurate documentation, professional boundaries, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable ethical, legal, and institutional protocols.
15% Student Retention, Collaboration, Consultation, and Referral Coordination
Identifies and addresses academic, personal, social, and environmental barriers that interfere with student engagement, persistence, retention, and educational achievement. Develops individualized counseling interventions and collaborates with academic advisors, instructional faculty, student services personnel, administrators, and community organizations to coordinate comprehensive student support. Provides professional consultation, facilitates appropriate campus and community referrals, and advocates for student access to educational resources and support services. Implements student-centered strategies that promote academic progress, successful educational transitions, retention, and completion while safeguarding confidential student information and respecting professional and institutional boundaries.
15% Counseling Programs, Student Outreach, and Conditional Instruction
Develops and facilitates counseling-related workshops, orientations, presentations, and student engagement activities addressing academic success, career development, college transitions, stress management, coping strategies, and personal development. Supports prevention, outreach, and educational initiatives that promote student connection, informed help-seeking, and effective use of campus resources. When counseling service needs have been met and an instructional assignment is approved, may teach First-Year Experience (FYE), Counseling, Personal Development, or other appropriately credentialed courses within the regular faculty load. May also teach approved courses as overload in accordance with applicable MCCCD workload, compensation, and approval requirements. Assigned instructional responsibilities include developing course materials, implementing student-centered and trauma-informed instructional strategies, assessing student achievement, and maintaining required academic records. Instructional assignments must not compromise the delivery of essential counseling services.
10% Counseling Program Assessment, Professional Development, and Institutional Service
Participates in the assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement of counseling services, student support initiatives, and related program outcomes. Uses relevant data, student feedback, professional standards, and assessment findings to identify service needs, strengthen counseling effectiveness, improve access to resources, and support institutional student success goals. Maintains current knowledge of counseling theories, evidence-informed practices, crisis intervention, student development, applicable legal and ethical requirements, and emerging higher education trends through professional development and continuing education. Participates in division, college, and District meetings, committees, shared governance, faculty collaboration, and assigned institutional initiatives. Demonstrates professional integrity, sound judgment, accountability, confidentiality, and commitment to the educational mission of South Mountain Community College.