Job Details

Dean of Counseling Services

Position Number: 7088166
Location: Norwalk, CA
Position Type: Counseling

Dean of Counseling Services

Salary: $194,796.00 - $244,488.00 Annually
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: Dean of Counseling - 2026
Closing: 5/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Norwalk, CA
Department: Dean of Counseling - 2026
Division: Counseling

Description

Equity and Diversity
The District is strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal opportunity employment. The District encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, marital status, disability, or sexual orientation in any of its policies, procedures or practices. In fact, the college encourages applications from all segments of qualified people.

Closing Date
This position will close on May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM (or when 150 applications are received, whichever occurs sooner).

College Profile
Cerritos College is ranked 14th among the top 100 schools with the highest Hispanic enrollment in the United States by the United States Department of Education. We are a comprehensive community college for southeastern Los Angeles County. Communities within the college's district include Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Hawaiian Gardens, La Mirada, Norwalk, and portions of Bell Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Santa Fe Springs and South Gate. Cerritos College offers degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas of study in nine divisions. Enrollment currently averages approximately 22,500 students. Visit Cerritos College online at http://www.cerritos.edu.

Department Profile
The Cerritos College Counseling Division focuses on honoring and empowering every student. Under the leadership of the Dean of Counseling, the division provides equitable avenues for discovery, growth, and the achievement of educational goals. It operates on the belief that every student possesses immense potential, offering diverse services to validate and support their unique journeys.

Comprehensive Services & Programs:

Academic Guidance: The division offers personalized Student Education Plans (SEP) through in-person or virtual appointments and quick-access Express Counseling.
Foundational Support: New students benefit from the Falcon Edge Orientation, while Success Workshops assist those navigating academic notice.
Specialized Success Communities: Tailored support is available through the Transfer Center, Career Services, Puente, Umoja, and dedicated counseling for Veterans and Student Accessibility Services (SAS).
Educational Excellence: Faculty lead credit-bearing courses in Career Planning (COUN 110) and College Success (COUN 200) to build lifelong skills.
Whether students aim for a degree, certificate, or university transfer, the Counseling Division serves as a dedicated partner in success. It remains committed to encouraging, inspiring, and empowering the student body throughout every step of the academic path.

Summary
Plans, supervises, assesses, and evaluates counseling programs and services in the Division that meet the needs of a highly diverse urban student population. Manages the matriculation process, educational counseling and consultation, orientation, articulation, transfer, career, and other services. Directs and implements counseling and guidance curriculum. The position also provides complex administrative support to the Vice President of Student Services.

Distinguishing Career Features
The Dean of Counseling Services reports to the Vice President of Student Services and is responsible for the Counseling Services Division, which integrates and provides academic and administrative support that meets the needs of a highly diverse student population. The Dean plans, supervises, assesses and evaluates counseling programs and services in the Division, which includes managing the matriculation process, educational counseling and consultation, orientation, articulation, career, transfer and other services. This leadership position is responsible for the direct oversight, effective operation, and enhancement of the Counseling Department and key student support programs, including athletic counseling, Puente, and Umoja. The Dean supervises the Director of Career and Transfer Services, who oversees the Transfer Center and the Career Center. Together, the Dean and the division work with other Student Services Divisions and Academic Affairs to promote student achievement and lead counseling services effectively. Excellence in leadership, faculty and staff support, and the delivery of comprehensive counseling services are essential qualities for this role.

Job Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Oversees the planning, supervision, and evaluation of counseling services and related programs to ensure they operate efficiently and achieve their intended outcomes. Ensures that all services remain focused on supporting students and advancing student success initiatives. Provides guidance, leadership, and advocacy for division staff to foster a collaborative and effective work environment.
Collaborates with administrators, faculty, and staff to develop and coordinate programs and services and provide integrated instructional and student services that meet the needs of a diverse student population.
Provides leadership and direction for the planning, supervision, assessment, and evaluation of the Counseling Department, Puente, and Umoja, including oversight of their programs, services, personnel, interagency reports and contracts, as well as budgets.
Leads integration, adoption, and maintenance of emerging technologies to enhance counseling, student services, and data-informed decision-making.
Leads, trains, supervises, evaluates and provides information to staff to enhance their ability to accomplish the unit's objectives, vision, and mission. Certifies payroll for assigned personnel. Applies the terms and provisions of applicable collective bargaining agreements; state and federal laws; and District Board Policies and Administrative Procedures in personnel matters.
Prepares recommendations and/or contracts as appropriate and submits them to administration and/or Board of Trustees for consideration.
Oversees the preparation of class schedules and teaching assignments; monitors enrollment and class size; consults with faculty on, and approves textbook adoptions and acquisitions.
Works with faculty and staff on the development, implementation, and assessment of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), Service Area Outcome (SAO), and program reviews to consistently improve practices across counseling and student development units.
Participates in recruitment, selection, and hiring processes; recommends qualified candidates in accordance with district policies and legal requirements.
Develops relationships with local high school districts, four-year universities, community service agencies, and business, educational, and governmental organizations as needed to respond to student needs.
Designs and implements tracking and evaluation systems to evaluate student progress; ensures Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) under counseling, transfer, and career services are met.
Organizes and oversees planning for matriculation processes including orientation services, counseling, and advising, and follow-up with targeted students, such as those that are underrepresented, undecided, or on academic/progress probation.
In coordination with Academic Affairs, plans, develops, and implements onboarding, persistence, and retention initiatives to oversee Learning and Career Pathways (i.e., meta majors).
Oversees the Director of Career and Transfer Services and works in collaboration to provide leadership for the Transfer Center and Career Services.
Leads, develops, and implements transfer services to encourage and facilitate student transfer to four-year institutions.
Provides leadership and support for articulation, ensuring agreements with four-year colleges are current, maintained, archived, and communicated to faculty, staff, students, colleges and oversight agencies.
Authorizes grade changes, late withdrawals, credit by examination, late adds, and section changes for students taking Counseling courses, as well as field trips, conference requests, and professional development activity requests for division employees.
Provides leadership in developing and managing local, state and national private and government grants.
Develops and maintains systems for up-to-date student records. Ensures confidentiality and privacy of information.
Develops, monitors, and completes year-end-reports on budgets and maximizes financial resources.
Participates on or chairs committees, task forces, and special assignments.
Ensures accuracy of print and online publications related to the area of responsibility.
Provides guidance and input on assigned sections of the college catalog information.
Authorizes and monitors unassigned time, reassigned time, and changes of faculty assignments.
Provides leadership in space and facilities planning.
Participates in and supports the accreditation processes.
Remains current on legislation and regulations affecting the counseling services division and adjusts programs and services to assure compliance.
Represents the District in advocacy settings.
Participates in community, state, and national organizations and meetings.
Anticipates, prevents, and resolves conflicts and problems under areas of supervision.
Fosters a collaborative, shared governance environment that values participation, communication, and teamwork across all employee groups.
Demonstrates exemplary communication skills, ensuring the timely, effective, and professional dissemination of information through email and other electronic platforms, and fosters clear, responsive correspondence with internal and external stakeholders.
Reviews programs and services to ensure that they are consistent with the college's goals and to ensure diverse ethnic, cultural and gender perspectives are included.
Maintains currency of knowledge and skills related to the duties and responsibilities.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications for Education and Experience

Requires a master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Career Development, or equivalent discipline related to the administrative assignment and a minimum of one year of formal leadership training, or internship, or experience reasonably related to the administrative assignment.

Understanding of and sensitivity to meeting the needs of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic background of the student, community, and employee population.
Preferred Qualifications

Experience in counseling or advising settings at the college level or above.
Experience developing assessment, teaching, and learning processes that enhance student success and outcomes.
Experience Organizing work and building an effective team to meet the needs of the assigned areas.
Ability to blend knowledge of CA Education Code, Title 5 sections, and district policies and procedures into actionable counseling services.
Experience running programs and strategies to promote student success.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge

Theories, principles, and practices associated with higher education counseling, curriculum and instruction, matriculation, and student services.
Development, maintenance and administration of a budget.
Philosophy and objectives of the community college.
Principles of functional leadership, training and performance evaluation.
Pertinent federal and state laws and regulations.
Learning and student success process, assessment, student learning outcomes, learning communities and application of technology.
Strategic planning in organization and management practices, assessment, analysis and evaluation of programs, policies and administrative needs.
Matriculation regulations and articulation agreements.

Skills

Developing assessment, teaching, and learning processes that enhance student success and outcomes.
Organizing work and building an effective team to meet the needs of the assigned areas.
Oral and written language sufficient to prepare reports and professional correspondence.
Human relations/interpersonal skills to conduct performance reviews, deliver presentations, and convey technical information to a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to blend knowledge of CA Education Code, Title 5 sections, and district policies and procedures into actionable counseling services.
Experience running programs and strategies to promote student success.

Abilities

Develop and implement a plan of accountability for counseling and matriculation services.
Be a fair-minded, ethical, and honest leader.
Learn, interpret, and ensure compliance with state and federal laws, Title 5, and other federal and state regulations as related to the responsibilities of the position.
Be open to change and new methods in the assigned area of responsibility.
Continuously engage in learning and self-improvement.
Meet change with innovation to promote and meet the college mission.
Organize, plan, develop, and write new programs, develop new concepts, analyze outcomes, and prepare clear and concise reports.
Guide and direct others in goal achievement.
Direct and facilitate development of personal and team perspectives, and develop and deliver training programs.
Develop and monitor budgets and maximize financial resources.
Work cooperatively and productively with internal and external constituencies.
Advocate for shared governance, collegiality, staff cohesiveness and for the core values of the institution.
Foster a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and innovation.

Physical Abilities
This position requires the physical ability to:

Function in an office environment performing work of primarily a sedentary nature with some requirement to move about campus and to off-campus locales.
The person in this position frequently communicates with members of the campus community through various modalities. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Must be able to recognize printed material (printed or online) for more than 50% of the expected work time.
Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machines, and computer printer.
Requires the ability to lift, push, and pull objects of medium weight (less than 30 lbs.) on an occasional basis with or without accommodation.
Work a flexible schedule which may include evenings, weekends, and split schedules..

Licenses and Certificates
May require a valid driver's license.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist.
Salary/Fringe Benefits
Grade 42 on District Management Salary Schedule ($16,233 - $20,374/month).
Health and welfare benefits include District contribution for medical/dental/vision benefits and employee life insurance ($50,000). (Cash in lieu option available on medical insurance.)

Participation in the Public Employee's Retirement System that is also integrated with Social Security or State Teacher's Retirement System.

22 days annual vacation.

An annual stipend of $4,069 shall be provided to management employees with an earned doctorate degree.
Selection Procedure
Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants in the competitive group who best meet the qualifications for the position. Interviews will then be conducted by the selection committee, tentatively on June 12, 2026. Finalists will then be recommended to the President-Superintendent for further consideration, with final selection and recommendation for employment anticipated on July 19, 2026. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

Conditions of Employment
This is a full-time 12-calendar month Academic Management position.

This position generally operates from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. However, there may be activities requiring participation in weekends or evenings.

Employment is to be effective as soon as possible following completion of the selection process.

Individual who is offered employment shall be required to obtain fingerprints for a criminal history clearance through the State Department of Justice and remit the required fee for processing the fingerprints, Federal Bureau of Investigation (no fee if obtained at Cerritos College Campus Police Station), produce an original social security card, and submit negative TB test results (must be within the past four years or within the last 60 days if not previously employed in a school district in California) before employment.

Candidates must be available to work on site and be able to provide proof of California residency prior to employment.

** Please note - the District does not provide for immigration sponsorships such as H1B Visas.
Application Procedure
Application materials must be submitted by the closing date. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible application process. If you require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview due to a disability, please contact Human Resources at hr@cerritos.edu as early as possible. While advance notice (ideally at least 72 hours before the application deadline or scheduled interview) helps ensure we can meet your needs, we will make every effort to accommodate requests made at any time.

It is the applicant's responsibility to provide copies of all transcript(s) verifying all educational degree(s) and/or coursework required for the position.
Transcripts must be from regionally accredited institutions. A foreign transcript must be evaluated by a NACES certified agency. The website address is www.naces.org.

As these are highly competitive positions, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. If you have questions or would like to follow-up regarding your application, please contact Human Resources at HR@Cerritos.edu as search committee members are unable to discuss specific recruitments.

Required Documents

Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Copy of Transcripts

To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/cerritosedu/jobs/5286995/dean-of-counseling-services

The District ensures that all qualified applicants for employment and employees have full and equal access to employment opportunity, and are not subjected to discrimination in any program or activity of the District on the basis of national origin, religion, age, sex or gender, race, color, medical condition, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or because he or she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. .