Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) is a department within Student Affairs & Strategic Enrollment Management that provides a variety of culturally responsive services to help enrolled students understand themselves, enjoy satisfying relationships, achieve academic success, and make effective life choices. CAPS promotes the development of holistic student emotional health and serves the campus through advocacy and the provision of confidential, accessible services. Additionally, CAPS provides outreach, educational services, and campus consultations.

This position supports the mission of Counseling & Psychological Services and Campus Health & Wellbeing through the provision of individual, couples, and group counseling, crisis intervention, outreach, consultation, and prevention education as a member of the CAPS team within Campus Health & Wellbeing located at the Solano Campus primarily serving Cal Poly Maritime Academy students. It also includes crisis intervention and work with serious presenting concerns, requiring the ability to conceptualize cases and provide diagnoses within sociocultural context.

This position is in person, time-limited, and part time.  The position will start in January 2026 and end on or before May 1, 2026.  Work hours will be between 15 and 19 hours per week on a set schedule primarily between 8 am and 7 pm, as negotiated with the Director of CAPS. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated competence with diversity and intersectionality, and experience addressing the mental health needs of students including those with historically marginalized identities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of FERPA, HIPAA, and the California Medical Information Act as it relates to the provision of psychotherapy in a university counseling center and confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to speak publicly, provide training to, and consult with the campus community regarding mental health topics.
• Demonstrated experience providing brief individual and group psychotherapy to late adolescent and young adult populations including DSM diagnosis.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage clinical crisis situations, including hospitalizations.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an APA Accredited/BBS-approved graduate training program.
• Training and experience in college counseling center.
• Experience in providing outreach and psychotherapy to historically marginalized populations.
• Ability to provide clinical services in a language other than English.
• Demonstrated specialized training and/or clinical expertise applicable to the university counseling environment.
• Ability to share knowledge in accessible and applicable ways to teammates and the campus community.
• Experience in integrated health and counseling settings.
• Experience working with electronic system for scheduling and casenotes.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• Possession of a Master’s degree in appropriate field and current licensure in the State of California as LPCC, LCSW or LMFT.

OR

• Possession of doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology and current licensure in the State of California as a Psychologist. 

(Note that hiring level will be commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate.)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, DEGREES, CREDENTIALS:

• Current California psychologist, LPCC, LCSW, or LMFT license that is free of active disciplinary action. 

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Anticipated Hiring Range:  $7,481/month prorated by hours per week

Classification Range:  Factors in determining the appropriate compensation for a role include experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. The Anticipated Hiring Range referenced in the job posting is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position. The Classification Range may be broader than what the University anticipates paying for this position, based on internal equity, budget, and collective bargaining agreements (when applicable).

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

Must be able to respond to campus situations calling for Counseling & Psychological Services presence (i.e. campus crises, student death, etc.) after normal business hours, or on weekends.  Occasional holiday work and adjustment to normal working hours to meet special jobs may be required. 

This position classification has been defined as "Exempt" and is not subject to the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

All CSU employees are designated "mandated reporters" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. As a condition of your employment, you will be required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 and any subsequent amendments.

This is an on-campus position. Based on operational need at this time, remote work may be required for a portion of the work week.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: Cal Poly cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to Cal Poly or individuals in the university community.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU related work outside of California. It is also expected that faculty establish an on-campus presence to fulfill their responsibilities.

For health and well-being, Cal Poly is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must attach:

1. To apply, please attach (1) a cover letter illustrating how you meet the requirements of the position, particularly regarding your experience in integrated health and counseling settings, (2) curriculum vitae (CV), (3) unofficial transcripts to your online application, and (4) a copy of license (as applicable). The application requires contact information including email addresses for a minimum of three professional references; please include your current/most recent supervisor as one of these three. Official transcripts of highest degree will be required of finalists.