Instructor or Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice

Posting Number FAC691P Quick Link for Internal Postings Classification Title Assistant Professor - Practice Working Title Instructor or Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice - Counseling - Department Human Services About WCU Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 "America's Best Employers by State" list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Forbes has also ranked Western Carolina University in the Top 100 of America's Best Midsize Employers for 2023. Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. WCU's main campus is nestled in a beautiful valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 50 miles west of Asheville. WCU is located just 25 miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, one of the nation's most spectacular and most visited national parks. The entire region is known for its excellent quality of life and access to outdoor activities. Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, and free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus. Position Summary The primary location of this position is on the Biltmore Park campus in Asheville, NC. Western Carolina University's (WCU) Department of Human Services invites applications for a 9-month, fixed-term faculty position as Instructor or Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice in Counseling in the graduate Counseling program. Anticipated starting work date is August 1, 2024. The successful candidate will teach, supervise, and advise students in a CACREP-accredited, master's degree program in counseling (school and clinical mental health counseling specialties) at the WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, NC. The teaching load is four courses each semester, with priority being practicum and internship courses. However, in the first year (2024-25), in lieu of a fourth course each semester, the faculty member will teach three courses and be tasked to develop a plan to create a counseling program lab/clinic. If the clinic is approved, faculty may remain on a three-three teaching load with the fourth course load being designated to managing the clinic, developing grant proposals, and managing grant funding for the lab/clinic. They may also teach other counseling courses as needed, such as developmental perspectives, helping skills, group counseling, and option to teach in the summer. Courses are offered to students in day and evening sections with the expectation of faculty working 1-2 nights per semester. The candidate may coordinate field placement and collaborate with area clinical agencies and schools on professional development, site development, and outreach services. They will assist with site and student recruitment activities, review student applications, monitor student progress, and perform other related service duties as requested within the program, department, college, and university. This fixed-term position may be posted as a tenure-track position in the future pending development of a counseling lab/clinic within the next 2 years, and the faculty member may apply. Western Carolina University and the WCU Counseling program holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong. Carnegie statement WCU embraces its role as a regionally engaged university and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a community engaged university. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to public engagement through their teaching, service, and scholarship. The institution has adopted the Boyer model of scholarship as a means of supporting its commitment to the stewards of place model and integrated learning. As such, faculty are expected to practice the scholarship of engagement to enhance student learning. Faculty participate in regional engagement and support the University's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website and read the university vision and details about the QEP. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Minimum Qualifications Education: Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from a CACREP-accredited program PLUS licensed as a clinical mental health counselor/licensed professional counselor, and post-graduate clinical experience. A faculty with a master's degree would be hired as Instructor. OR earned doctorate in counselor education (or ABD with expected completion of doctorate by August 2024), from an accredited institution and CACREP-accredited doctoral program with licensure/license eligibility as a clinical mental health counselor/licensed professional counselor. A faculty with an earned doctorate in counselor education would be hired as Clinical Assistant Professor of Practice. Other: A record of clinical experience Clinical supervisory experience and training Evidence of, or potential for, expertise in master's-level teaching in CACREP core curriculum Experience teaching practicum/internship Interest in field placement coordination Commitment to become licensed as LCMHC in North Carolina, if hired. Experience and commitment to working with diverse populations. Preferred Qualifications North Carolina Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervision licensure or certification Experience facilitating counseling lab/clinics, including understanding compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations, billing, and emergency services Experience in grant development and management Experience with field placement technology management (e.g., Tevera, lab/clinic recording systems) Experience or interest in teaching developmental perspectives, helping skills, group counseling, among other CACREP core courses or self-developed electives Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week Number of Months Per Year 9 Posting Text Open Date 01/30/2024 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Please include cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned and a list references. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree. For questions or additional information please contact Russ Curtis at or Nancy Valverde at Background/E-Verify Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment. Credential Verification All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements. AA/EOE Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call or email at . University Safety The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 ) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 ). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs . click apply for full job details