Educational Counselor/Assistant Professor

Job no: 497439

Work type: Faculty - Temporary & Continuing

Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307

Categories: Faculty

Position Title:

Educational Counselor/Assistant Professor (12 mos. Tenure-Track)

Location:

Big Rapids (Main Campus)

Department:

Disab & Accessibility Resource Ctr

Advertised Salary:

$70,000 - $75,000; Salary commensurate with qualifications pursuant to the FFA Agreement.

Benefits:

Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.).

Faculty Health Benefit Plans

FLSA:

Exempt

Temporary/Continuing:

Continuing

Part-Time/Full-Time:

Full-Time

Union Group:

Ferris Faculty Association (MEA-NEA)

Term of Position:

12 Month

At Will/Just Cause:

Just Cause

Summary of Position:

The Educational Counselor's primary duties are educational counseling including academic support programming, disability and accessibility accommodations processes, and general academic support for students. This position is primarily located in Big Rapids. The focus of the position is on health profession areas including the College of Pharmacy and Michigan College of Optometry, Kendall College of Art and Design students in Grand Rapids and Big Rapids, and as time permits, other students of the university in concert with colleagues in the Disability and Accessibility Resource Center (DARC).

The position will include occasional travel to other campus locations.

The position works closely with the College of Pharmacy Assistant Dean of Student Success (ADSS) to help ensure compliance with all accreditation standards related to student services. This position assists with key student experiences such as recruitment events, orientation, career fairs, ceremonial events (ex: White Coat Ceremony, Doctoral Hooding Ceremony).

In addition, it is expected that a collaborative work environment with College and University faculty, staff, and administration, as well as College committees, will be established.

Pursuit of research/scholarly activities is encouraged.

This is a 12-month tenure-track appointment. Rank is assistant professor.

The anticipated start date of this position is January 2026; however, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed.

Position Type:

Faculty - Temporary & Continuing

Required Education:

Master's Degree in Guidance/Counseling, Master's in Social Work, or Master's in Counseling Psychology or Rehabilitation Counseling.

Required Work Experience:

Two years of demonstrated post-degree work experience within the area(s) of disability accommodations, or educational counseling, or relatable experience(s).

Required Licenses and Certifications:

Ability to meet and maintain State of Michigan licensure requirements in one of the following areas: Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Limited Licensed Master's Social Work (LLMSW), Licensed Master's Social Work (LMSW), Limited Licensed Psychologist (LLP), Licensed Psychologist (LP), or Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).

Physical Demands:

• Office Environment
• Bending
• Carrying
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Twisting
• Driving
• Repetitive movement

Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered:

Demonstrated post-degree work experience as an educational and career counselor in a higher education institution. Knowledge of the ADAAA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and WCAG 2.0. Knowledge of career assessment tools.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Provide individual and group, educational counseling services to students.
2. Interact with persons with disabilities to assess needs and determine reasonable accommodations.
3. Make recommendations to Ferris ADA coordinator if deemed necessary to determine when conditions represent ADA qualified disabilities.
4. Implement effective accommodation strategies that enable persons with disabilities to meet essential functions in academic setting.
5. Assist students on the selection and usage of appropriate compensatory strategies and assistive technology where relevant.
6. Provide consultation and disability advocacy with faculty and staff regarding individual accommodation needs.
7. Make referrals to appropriate campus and community resources.
8. Maintain a high level of knowledge/expertise regarding the issues, resources, and concerns for students with disabilities and application of the college's technical standards.
9. Make presentations on a variety of educational topics.
10. Coordinate student activities/programs for special populations on campus and to outreach partners.
11. Develop and support initiatives related to student success, and academic performance issues for faculty and academic advisors.
12. Write reports and assess educational program outcomes.

13. Provide support for orientation, retention, and progression programs/initiatives.

14. Support student academic success efforts, including tutoring and providing counseling resources as appropriate.

15. Develop, maintain, and ensure compliance with the college and university policies.
16. Maintain an official complaint log as required by accreditation standards and report regularly to the College of Pharmacy Assistant Dean of Student Success, or designee, regarding student complaints.
17. Assist the College of Pharmacy ADSS in complying with accreditation related to student success.
18. Participate in and help to support key student experiences through planning and implementation actions with colleagues in the College of Pharmacy and more broadly with the Disability and Accessibility Resource Center and University College.
19. Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
20. Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
21. Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
22. Operate university motor or personal vehicles safely while carrying out job responsibilities.
23. Report to the Director of Disability and Accessibility Resource Center (DARC) and collaborates daily in support of priorities within the College of Pharmacy.

Marginal Duties/Responsibilities:

1. Serve on committees, working groups and/or task forces.

2. Participate in appropriate professional development and training activities.

Skills and Abilities:

1. Ability to effectively communicate complex topics in an organized and effective manner.

2. Recognize problems, develop effective solutions and maintain a high level of accuracy.

3. Effectively manage projects and processes to achieve administrative efficiencies.

4. Analyze trends and appropriately communicate observations to colleagues.

5. Ability to effectively utilize technology.

6. Ability to work with a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff.

7. Knowledge of educational accommodations, skills, and tools used by persons with disabilities.
8. Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to persons with disabilities.
9. Ability to produce clear case notes.
10. Effective collaborative/team skills.
11. Ability to operate independently with minimal prompting.
12. Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1
• Certification/License

Optional Documents:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of Master's degree as listed in the Required Education section. Transcript must include Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.

License (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of license as listed in the Required Licenses and Certifications section.

Initial Application Review Date:

November 24, 2025

Open Until Position is Filled?:

No

Posting Close Date:

November 23, 2025

EEO Statement:

Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University's Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.

Advertised: 07 Nov 2025 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: 23 Nov 2025 Eastern Standard Time