Counselor Jobs in Washington

Position Summary

The Opportunity: This position will support student success by advising, guiding, and counseling students to achieve their educational goals. The Counselor will serve students through individual appointments to discuss specific challenges and resources to overcome adversity. This may include referral to community resources or referral to health care services. In addition, the counselor teaches college success course(s) quarterly. Under the guidance of the Vice President for Student Success, the Dean of Student Success, and the Counseling Department Chair, the counselor works to provide programs and workshops that enhance and engage students in behaviors that lead to educational success.

The counselor also serves as a valued member of a larger advising team and works to help lead and support broader faculty advising efforts. This position may also be assigned an advisory role to support associated student body clubs that support diversity, inclusion, and social justice activities. Counselors serve as a supportive resource for and provide consultation to faculty and staff regarding their student-related concerns. This work is performed in accordance with the educational policies and associate degree and certificate requirements as defined by SVC. Attendance at workshops, conferences, and council meetings may also be required, with the goal of enhancing service to students and developing student services programs and resources.

This is a full-time (9-month, 35 hours per week, plus an additional 3-week contract prior to Fall quarter) tenure-track faculty position, expected to begin in Fall Quarter, September 2026. The College may assign additional contract days to cover high-need periods during the year, such as breaks between quarters and during the summer period, to be determined by the Vice President for Student Success, the Dean of Student Success, and the Counseling Department Chair.

This position is based primarily at the Mount Vernon Campus; however, Counselors may be called upon to work at the Whidbey Island Campus located in Oak Harbor.

SVC welcomes faculty with a commitment to excellence in teaching and the success of all students. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for non-native English speakers and other diverse groups. In so doing, we offer our students and community not only the opportunity to learn about varied disciplines but to engage with diverse perspectives and ways of knowing and learning. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelor’s degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTC’s Vision statement; “Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.”

SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity-minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish People’s, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe, and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Guiding Principles: Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration, and Compassion.

SVC welcomes faculty with a commitment to excellence in teaching and the success of all students. We are committed to cultivating a welcoming and supportive learning environment for non-native English speakers and other diverse groups. In so doing, we offer our students and community not only the opportunity to learn about varied disciplines but to engage with diverse perspectives and ways of knowing and learning. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Did You Know: Skagit Valley College is an innovative community college committed to offering inclusive access to educational opportunities, supporting student achievement, and engaging our community. SVC is nationally known for learning communities and support for high-impact teaching practices that improve the lives of our students. We are committed to creating student learning experiences that foster equity and diversity to strengthen our local and global communities. We practice a high degree of collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators to lead initiatives that advance student success and strengthen our increasingly diverse district. We value student and colleague engagement in creating an equitable, diverse, innovative, learning-centered environment.

Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban, and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits include competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Incorporate an equity-minded approach to teaching and learning;
• Conduct ongoing development, assessment, and revision of curriculum that reflects innovative and inclusive pedagogy and advances in student retention.
• Work collaboratively with SVC faculty from other fields to develop appropriate curricula that reflect the diversity of student experience;
• Create a positive learning environment for students using diverse teaching methods to support and enhance student success;
• Collaborate with other disciplines to increase enrollment and support student retention in the program with a focus on ameliorating equity gaps;
• Develop, monitor, and assess student learning outcomes and fully participate in the college’s program review process;
• Develop, assess, and analyze program outcomes for the purpose of program improvement and enhanced student learning;
• Conduct program outreach by leading program briefing sessions for prospective students, assisting with marketing and recruitment activities, and leading student application reviews;
• Collaborate, facilitate, and participate in advisory board meetings;
• Participate in unit, department, and other College activities, including College governance;
• Teach online, hybrid, or classroom-based classes as required;
• Work collaboratively as part of the Counseling department team; Practice multicultural understanding and foster equity;
• Participate in division/department and other College activities, including College governance;
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Student Counseling and Advising

• Offer individual vocational, academic, personal, and group counseling services to students;
• Provide career planning and advising to students by assisting students with career exploration and decision-making;
• Develop, implement, and monitor strategies/practices for increasing student success and retention by developing workshops and programs that facilitate college success;
• Serve as an Academic Advisor using best practices in appreciative advising and holistic student development theories;
• Serve as lead in an academic hub, provide training in advising practices to faculty as well as academic programming for students;
• Contribute to overall College advising efforts by participating in educational planning and monitoring individualized educational plans addressing students' vocational, academic, financial, and support service needs;
• Work within the TargetX Customer Relations Management platform to access student information, document advising interactions, and create/monitor reports as part of broader Student Achievement Strategy efforts;
• Adhere to the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the state of Washington ethical and legal standards;
• Act as an advocate of student rights and grievances by providing information on College policies and resources; assisting with investigative activities; and serving as a neutral/impartial resource;
• Evaluate each student's situation and make referrals as appropriate to community resources or healthcare services;
• Support new student registration and orientation activities and events;
• Provide support as needed, in accomplishing and completing departmental goals as they align with the Mission, Vision, and values of the College;
• Perform duties and special projects as assigned.

Teaching

• Teach student success courses, including developing the curriculum in accordance with College standards, providing classroom instruction, and evaluating student performance;
• Lead and participate in relevant curriculum development activities using measurable learning outcomes.

Campus Service

• Participate in department and College activities and committees as required;
• Contribute to the College's strategic initiatives, including a dedicated commitment to equity;
• Latinx outreach, supporting non-traditional age student populations, and inclusive excellence.

All faculty at SVC are expected to meet the following faculty competencies:

• Instructional Excellence: Demonstrates (and sustains through professional development) instructional excellence by incorporating high-impact practices and subject matter expertise and drawing on college resources including technology, to create a learning environment that supports student achievement.
• Student Learning Assessment: Provides consistent, timely formative and summative performance assessment, promotes student self-assessment, and creates opportunities for student feedback to support student achievement and engagement.
• Program and Course Assessment: Contributes to ongoing program and course assessment activities and to the related development and revision of curriculum.
• Advising: Fosters relationship-based advising connections with students in support of student’s academic and career aspirations.
• Service to the College: Participates in college governance, campus life and/or community relations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain partnerships and interagency community connections;
• Engage students through innovative instructional approaches such as service learning projects, and contextualized learning;
• Demonstrate commitment to equity-minded approaches to teaching and learning;
• Practice and adopt a variety of active learning strategies that facilitate student learning and that are inclusive of all cultures and backgrounds;
• Support students in accessing appropriate instructional and non-instructional services to facilitate student retention, completion and academic success for all students;
• Adapt to a variety of teaching situations, including interdisciplinary learning communities, and online and hybrid modalities;
• Express appropriate awareness of the history of underrepresented groups to promote an equitable work and learning environment;
• Recruit and inspire diverse student populations to embrace learning and facilitate completion;
• Work and interact effectively with colleagues, staff, students, administrators and other various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in support of SVC's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Act according to principles of integrity, respect, open and honest communication, collaboration, and compassion.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, or related field;
• Graduate program work, which includes at least two (2) quarters (or equivalent) of supervised counseling practicum or clinical work;
• Licensed or eligible to be licensed prior to employment as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in the State of Washington. Note: Associate licenses with the intent and goal to become fully licensed within three (3) years are acceptable;
• Experience in suicide prevention and/or crisis counseling;
• Experience promoting equitable access and educational achievement for diverse students, including expertise, experience with, and affinity for providing culturally responsive and affirming services to historically marginalized groups including, students of color, LGBTQIA+/gender nonconforming populations, and students of all abilities;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience in the field;
• Ph.D. in a relevant field;
• Experience training or teaching adults;
• Experience teaching online using an industry-standard LMS such as Canvas;
• Previous multicultural experience working with and across distinctive populations simultaneously;
• Background working with the Latinx community to foster opportunity and educational achievement;
• Experience counseling in a higher education/community college setting, including experience with multi-ethnic and disadvantaged populations.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC

Salary and Benefits:

• Initial base annual salary placement for 2025-2026 ranges from $75,003 - $100,004, for a standard 172-day contract. The College has a negotiated faculty wage scale in which placement on the salary structure is in accordance with the SVC Federation of Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• A standard 172-day contract is written annually for the period of September to June. Late contracts will be prorated on the basis of work days remaining in the contract year.
• This position is exempt from the overtime pay requirements of The Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This is a union-represented position subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement. The College has a negotiated faculty wage scale in which placement on the salary structure is in accordance with the SVC Federation of Teachers Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe, and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.

Application Procedure:

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

1. Meet the minimum qualifications and;
2. Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.edu that includes the following:
3. The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
4. A current Curriculum Vitae; (Attachment: Curriculum Vitae)
5. A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after April 30, 2026. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.

Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.

Priority Screening Date: April 30, 2026

Interviews with Committee: TBD

Finalist Interviews: TBD

Anticipated Start Date: September 2026

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date. Information on SVC's Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.

For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.

SVC Annual Security Report: The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at: https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/

Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu. For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu. Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. All faculty and staff hired at Skagit Valley College are encouraged to embrace, continually support, and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community. Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination.