Career Technical Education (CTE) and Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) Counselor

Counselor, Non-Tenure Track

Priority Application Deadline: June 29, 2026 (or until position is filled)

The District seeks a full-time non tenure track 10-month temporary non-tenure Counselor, Career Technical Education (CTE) and Math, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA) to work with Taft College students.

About Taft College:

Taft College is a student-centered institution committed to academic excellence, innovation, and equity. As a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution located in the heart of California's Central Valley, we serve a diverse student body and work closely with our community partners to prepare students for meaningful careers and lifelong learning.

The Position:

Taft College has an immediate opening for a motivated, student-centered professional to serve as a CTE (80%) and MESA (20%) Counselor. Under the guidance of the assigned Dean, you will play a vital role in supporting students' career exploration, educational planning, successful transition into high-demand Career and Technical Education and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) pathways. In this impactful position, you will provide individualized counseling, develop and coordinate STEM and career-focused programming, and collaborate closely with faculty, employers, and community partners to align education with workforce needs. Your expertise will support data-informed guidance, program development, and outreach efforts that promote student success, retention, and completion. If you are passionate about empowering students and strengthening career pathways in a dynamic educational environment, we encourage you to apply.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct general information sessions about CTE and STEM program offerings

• Promote MESA Program to prospective eligible students

• Assessment (Dental Hygiene application, Medical Assisting application, future Allied Health program application, course placement, transcripts, prerequisite clearance, CVC)

• Assist students with degree audits and applications for certificates and degree awards

• Provide student referrals for other counseling, advising, and student support services (DSPS, EDC, EOPS, CalWORKs, Student Success Center, etc.

• Complete Student Educational Plan that designates a clear curricular pathway, reduces unit accumulation and minimizes the amount of time necessary to transfer and complete their calculus-based STEM degree

• Meet with students at least once each semester to monitor progress and update academic plans

• Schedules (clusters) MESA students together in classes, labs, and workshops, whenever possible to increase sense of community and belonging

• Establish an early alert system that identifies MESA students who are experiencing academic difficulty, and provide effective intervention strategies to ensure that these students succeed

• Coordinate efforts with the campus Matriculation and Articulation Officers and Transfer Center Counselor in order to facilitate community college MESA student transfers to four-year institutions

• Coordinate efforts with the MESA Program Director to support the MESA Orientation sessions and program activities.

The delivery of core services should occur via multiple modalities: in-person, online, individual and group meetings, workshops and other innovative ways.

Assist CTE and MESA program students in clarifying academic goals and selecting a major and maintaining enrollment. Work collaboratively with the Dean of CTE, MESA Director, division chairs and coordinators, the Counseling Division, and the Office of Outreach. Develop other relevant liaisons and networks with on- and off-campus programs and agencies. Monitor and track students' academic progress to ensure attainment of educational goals. Facilitate small and large-group workshops to explain CTE and STEM degrees. Review and approve CTE and STEM program students' applications for certificate and associate degree awards. Provide CTE and MESA program students with general information about available associate degree programs, the transfer process, and GE Certification.

The counselor will support students enrolled in career technical education (CTE) and STEM programs housed in various divisions. The candidate must have the

ability to be culturally responsive educator who knows how to leverage students'' unique skills, interests, and learning styles to create a learning experience that unequivocally includes and empowers each and every student.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Environment:

Indoor, office environment.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively with and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with students, staff, and managers.
• Provide diverse counseling services to a diverse student population in areas of academic, career, and personal counseling.
• Work independently, identify and solve problems.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Practice active and empathic listening.
• Maintain empathy and a sincere desire to help others.
• Maintain flexibility with regard to responding to situations requiring tact, discretion, sensitivity, and creativity with respect to providing services to students on an individual basis.
• Process large amounts of information and disseminate information accurately and clearly.
• Utilize a variety of computer software.
• Apply an equity-minded framework and ensure programs, services and processes are designed and delivered to meet the varying needs of all constituents.
• Interact and work effectively with a diverse population utilizing exceptional interpersonal and intercultural skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, cultural, disability, religious background and sexual orientation of community college students.
• Master''s degree in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, or career development, marriage and family therapy, or marriage, family and child counseling from an accredited college or university OR Bachelor's degree in one of the above listed degrees AND a California license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) or equivalency

NOTE: Official Transcripts verifying qualifications will be REQUIRED prior to an offer of employment. Applicants who have international transcripts must obtain transcripts that are evaluated by an independent educational-equivalency evaluation company and obtain an English translation (if necessary). These services are to be done at the applicant's expense.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with and/or knowledge of CTE and STEM programs and services in California Community Colleges
• Ability and willingness to work with students pursuing career technical education (CTE) and STEM programs, including Special Populations and other underrepresented student groups.
• Knowledge of the full spectrum of CTE and STEM program offerings and associated occupations aligned with these programs.
• Spanish speaking

HOURS/DATES: 35 hours per week.

SALARY: Actual placement is based on applicant's verified education and experience. $88,156-$142,059

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Initial salary range for the position is $88,156 - $142,059 per year. This is a 10-month, non-tenure track counseling position. This position is eligible for participation in West Kern Community College District''s comprehensive fringe benefits programs that includes District paid medical, dental and vision coverage for employees and their dependents. Employees are eligible for membership in the appropriate California employee retirement systems.

If you wish to request equivalency for this position (if you believe you do not meet minimum qualifications), you may submit the Request for Equivalency form. This form will need to be submitted with your application packet. You may either scan a hard copy of this form with your application packet or submit it as a Word document with your application packet. https://www.taftcollege.edu/about/offices-departments/human-resources/_files/docs/Equivalency%20Request%20Form%205-15-24-2.pdf

Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to complete the employment process must notify Employment Services.

• The continuation of this position is dependent upon future funding for the programs.