COUNSELOR - RETENTION, TENURE TRACK

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College Distric; United States; On-site; USD 78,000 - 107,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Job summary

Grossmont College is seeking a full‑time, tenure track, equity‑focused Retention Counselor to support a diverse student population through proactive counseling and outreach. The role emphasizes early engagement and collaboration with faculty and student services to promote persistence and success.

Responsibilities include counseling, teaching counseling courses, leading workshops, and developing programs to close equity gaps. Application deadline is stated with details in the posting.

Qualifications

• Masters in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy or equivalent.
• Experience in educational, career, and personal counseling at a community college, university, or high school.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic, career, and personal counseling with emphasis on early student engagement.
• Teach counseling courses, lead workshops, orientations and seminars.
• Collaborate with faculty and student support programs to support retention and completion.

Skills

Counseling experience

Effective communication

Diversity and equity focus

Technology in counseling

Education

Master's degree in counseling or related field

Job description

Transforming lives through learning isn’t just the vision of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. It happens every day with our 30,000 students who take the first step in their higher education, become trained for a new career, or learn knowledge that transforms their world perspective. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District honors a diverse academic community and fosters equity mindedness across our institutions. As such, the District is committed to eliminating achievement gaps among different student groups by promoting a culture of appreciation for diversity, equity, inclusivity, and social justice, and continuously examining our processes and practices through an equity lens. The District provides an excellent health and welfare benefits package to its employees. We take care of our employees and have continued to offer medical, dental and vision coverage to eligible employees and their dependents at no charge for any of the plans we offer. Become a part of this dedicated team in beautiful San Diego County!

Job Summary Application Deadline: Tuesday, January 26, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. NOTE: Application materials that are submitted on the last day of application and are timed out will not be accepted. Department: Student Services Months worked out of the year: 11 months FTE: 1.00 Starting Salary Range: $77,615 (Class II, Step 6) - $107,156 (VII, Step 10) Annually for an 11-month contract Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2027

Job Description

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Grossmont College honors a diverse academic community and fosters equity-mindedness and anti‑racism practices across our institution. We are a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and we honor the land we occupy originally belonging to the Kumeyaay peoples. As such, Grossmont College is committed to eliminating opportunity gaps among student groups by promoting a culture of appreciation for diversity, equity, inclusivity, and social justice. We are strongly committed to the Vision for Success as outlined by the California Community College system. Grossmont College is seeking a full‑time, tenure track, equity‑focused and anti‑racist faculty member committed to serving its diverse student population. This counseling faculty member will foster an inclusive learning environment through equity‑minded counseling, teaching, leadership, and service to students working toward goals of university transfer, associate degree and certificate completion, career and employment advancement, and personal growth. This counseling faculty member will play a key role in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment through proactive, equity‑minded counseling and intentional outreach designed to connect students with resources, strengthen their sense of belonging, and address potential barriers before they impact academic success. The Retention Counselor will provide academic, career, and personal counseling with an emphasis on early student engagement, proactive support, and ongoing student success. This position will work collaboratively with faculty, counseling colleagues, and student support programs to develop and implement strategies that support students throughout their educational journey. Responsibilities may include proactive outreach to students, identifying and addressing potential barriers to success, connecting students with appropriate resources, supporting early alert initiatives, and providing interventions for students experiencing academic standing. The Retention Counselor will contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of collegewide retention efforts, using student success data and student feedback to inform practices, strengthen student connections, and address opportunity gaps among disproportionately impacted student populations. Through collaboration and intentional engagement, the counselor will help create a culture of student support that promotes persistence, academic achievement, and completion. The Retention Counselor also teaches counseling courses, leads workshops, orientations and seminars. In addition, assists in developing and implementing necessary success programs for disproportionately impacted students to advance the vision of Grossmont College, which is to transform lives through education. Counselors are expected to perform other duties consistent with their faculty job description as stated in the faculty contract, and may include a combination of day and evening assignments. The Retention Counselor assumes responsibility for maintaining currency in the field and for assisting in the development and assessment of student services outcomes; program review and planning and participating in department activities. For a full list of essential duties and responsibilities, please view the job description in its entirety.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters 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, OR the equivalent (NOTE: A bachelor’s degree in one of the listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline.) If you are applying based on “the equivalent”, you will need to complete an Equivalency Determination Form. This form MUST be submitted as part of the application procedures. View the EQUIVALENCY INSTRUCTIONS and the EQUIVALENCY DETERMINATION FORM.

Necessary Qualifications

• Experience and proficiency in educational, career, and personal counseling at a community college, university, or high school.
• Training and experience working with individuals and groups in providing personal and crisis counseling.
• Experience in counseling students on processes related to financial aid, transcripts, and transferring to four-year institutions.
• Experience advising students about certificates, degrees, and transfer requirements.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, gender, racial, sexual orientation, religious, ability, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Commitment to examine, reflect, and modify instructional, relational, classroom and counseling practices to effectively engage and support disproportionately impacted populations with a goal of closing the equity gaps.
• Experience using technology in providing counseling services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Counseling experience at a California Community College.
• Experience providing early intervention and targeted support strategies for academic standing.
• Experience teaching career planning, college success, and other personal development courses at the post-secondary level.

Additional Information

Under Federal Law, employers are required to verify that all new employees are eligible for employment in the United States. Prior to appointment to a position, you must present acceptable proof of your identity and authorization to work in the United States.

GCCCD is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Title IX employer. Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and who require accommodations for completing the application process or interviewing should notify the Human Resources Department by emailing [e-mail].

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful fingerprint clearance. A processing fee plus Live Scan fee will be required.

The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, which includes Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College, is the largest institution of higher education in East County, and has been proudly serving East County for 65 years. Guided by our mission, vision, and values, the District is dedicated to serving nearly 30,000 students each semester. The District has a strong commitment to diversity and equity with a student population representing multiple backgrounds, ethnicities, socioeconomic levels, cultures and abilities. The District strives to provide an educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding, and respect that ultimately also benefits the community. Both colleges offer hundreds of programs and student services tailored to meet diverse needs, while leading the region with the highest transfers to SDSU, and providing premier career and workforce training. Grossmont College has been recognized as a Champion of Higher Education for its Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) program, and offers premier programs such as allied health, nursing, culinary arts, science, fine and performing arts, and drone technology. Cuyamaca College is ranked “Best for Vets” and recognized for excellence in Black Transfer‑level Math Success. Cuyamaca offers over 100 degrees and certificate programs, including innovative programs like water/wastewater technology, automotive technology, engineering, graphic design, ornamental horticulture, and environmental health and safety management.

If you have questions, please email the Human Resources department at [e-mail] or call 619‑644‑7572 during regular business hours (Monday‑Friday, 8:00‑5:00).