Personal and Success Counselor

Position Title : Personal & Success Counselor

Department : Personal & Success Counseling (PES)

Division : Dean of Students (DOS)

Employee Status : Full Time

Group : Professional Staff Association (PSA)

Grade : M

Salary : ($58, - $60, annually)

Hours : General hours Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

FLSA : Professional / Technical

HIRING FOR TWO*

Reporting Relationships

Reports to : Dean of Students

Supervision Exercised : None

Job Summary

Assist the Rock Valley College community in the development and implementation of a student counseling center that provides programming that is responsive to student needs, enhances student development and supports the Illinois Mental Health Early Action Act.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Related duties may be assigned.

1. Work with students in the development of educational goals and the implementation of plans to meet those goals.

2. Assist in the student academic advisement process.

3. Provide personal / social counseling and referral services to students for students through appropriate delivery systems.

4. Provide wellness programming, and drug, alcohol, and violence prevention education to the RVC campus community.

5. Work with Dean of Students office to reduce negative health and safety consequences as a result of alcohol, drug, and violence.

6. Be available to faculty, staff and students for consultation, walk-ins, and psycho-education counseling regarding student mental health issues.

7. Assist students dealing with crisis situations and make appropriate referrals when needed.

8. Actively participate on the Behavior Intervention Team.

9. Provide direct support, programming, and guidance to the College’s effort to support students on Academic Alert, Academic Probation and Standards of Academic Progress Financial Aid Appeal.

10. Compile and distribute current academic and social information pertinent to the growth and development of college students.

11. Stay apprised of current legal and ethics issues in counseling and higher education.

12. Regular attendance is expected.

13. Using tact and courtesy, the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with persons contacted in the course of work.

14. Serve as the College Homeless Student Liaison to provide support and advocacy for students in emergency, transitional, and permanent housing needs. Meet regularly to help

create plans to achieve student-directed goals in order to decrease housing insecurities and increase success in their education journey.

15. Coordinate / collaborate frequently with the Continuum of Care (Rockford Housing Authority, NIReACH, Rockford Rescue Mission, etc.

to maintain best practices and information on community resources related to housing.

16. Work closely with the Rock Valley College Foundation and Executive Director of Grants to explore grant opportunities and identify students in need.

Requirements

1. Master’s degree from an accredited institution is required.

2. Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Counseling, Educational Counseling or Counseling Psychology is preferred.

3. Licensure related to counseling or social work (LSW, LPC, LCSW, LCPC) is preferred

4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.

5. Experience in crisis response or crisis counseling is necessary.

6. Experience in counseling within a college or university counseling center setting is preferred.

7. Experience in community college education is desirable.

8. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students, faculty and staff is necessary.

9. Bi-lingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable.

10. Basic computer skills in word processing, data base management, and Internet usage also required.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and / or abilities required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

Master’s degree from an accredited institution is required. Master’s degree in College Student Personnel, Counseling, Educational Counseling or Counseling Psychology is preferred.

Possession of State Counseling or Social Work Licensure is required within 1 year of starting the position. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills also required.

A demonstrated ability to work as a member of team is also required. Three to five years’ experience in post-secondary education or other student personnel work is necessary.

Experience in crisis response or crisis counseling is necessary. Experience in counseling within a college or university counseling center setting is preferred.

Experience in community college education is desirable. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse students, faculty and staff is necessary.

Bi-lingual proficiency (Spanish) is highly desirable. Basic computer skills in word processing, data base management, and Internet usage also required.