Visiting Instructor – Buddhism-Informed Contemplative Counseling
Position Title: Visiting Instructor – Buddhism-Informed Contemplative Counseling
Department/Program: CPBP 12010
Work Location: Nalanda Campus
Reports to: BICC concentration Chair
FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried
FTE: 50% (20 hrs/week)
Compensation: Half-time (12 credits) $21,000 / Three-quarter time (18 credits) $31,500 Full-time (24 credits) $42,000
Application Deadline: 6/1/25 or until filled.
Job Summary:
The Buddhism-Informed Contemplative Counseling (BICC) concentration in the Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) seeks to fill Visiting Instructor positions beginning July 1, 2025. The position involves teaching a variety of in-person BICC courses with a focus on Buddhist Foundations of Counseling courses and Maitri retreats, with other CACREP core counseling content courses, Multicultural Counseling courses, and online courses also possible.
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
1. Teach 12, 18, or 24 credit hours over the 2025-2026 academic year in BICC.
2. Hold regular office hours and meet with students as needed outside of class time.
3. Participate in the administrative operations of the concentration, such as, but not limited to, admissions interviews.
4. Attend and actively participate in BICC weekly faculty meetings.
5. In concert with BICC core faculty, participate in student learning outcomes assessment and ongoing curriculum development.
6. Grade all assignments, provide feedback to students in a timely manner and submit final grades by the deadline established by the Registrar.
7. Prepare course syllabi according to the Academic Affairs syllabi instructions and submit the syllabus to the Office of Academic Affairs by the established deadline.
8. Obtain permission from the copyright owner for any copyrighted material to be used in sourcebooks.
9. Complete all faculty and staff trainings as required by the Human Resources Office or the Office of Academic Affairs within the time period set for completion by those departments.
10. Engage in professional development that includes pedagogy, contemplative view, diversity/inclusivity, and ecological sustainability.
11. Additional duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
1. A master’s degree from a graduate institution of recognized standing in counseling or a related field.
2. Licensure as a professional counselor or related mental health profession. In Colorado this includes Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Psychologist (LP).
3. Certified as an approved clinical supervisor (ACS) or the ability and willingness to obtain the necessary training.
4. Minimum equivalent of two years’ full-time employment in a clinical capacity in a mental health-related setting (e.g. private practice, agency or related setting) in the last five years.
5. Ability to successfully teach a variety of courses across the graduate BICC curriculum.
6. Teaching experience at the graduate level that is informed and enriched by clinical experience and contemplative practices.
7. An understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity in higher education/the workplace.
8. Commitment to co-create an inclusive community and actively participate in related professional development, including openness to feedback and ongoing self-examination.
9. Excellent professional oral and written communication skills, administrative skills, and a collaborative style.
10. The ability and willingness to fulfill the job duties listed in the job description.
• Minimum length of prior relevant experience required: 2 years teaching
• Educational degree/diploma required: MA
Preferred Qualifications:
1. PhD in Counseling or related field preferred.
2. Familiarity with and experience teaching in a MA level counseling program.
3. Familiarity with Buddhist Psychology and its application to counseling.
4. Regular engagement with personal contemplative practice.
5. Training and experience in offering meditation instruction and leading retreats.
6. On-going multicultural counseling and social justice teaching or facilitator experience in the field.
7. Familiarity and experience with Naropa’s MA Buddhism-informed Contemplative Counseling (Formerly Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology) program.
8. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to principles of contemplative education and familiarity with the vision of Naropa University.
Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions:
Faculty members spend most of their time in their classrooms or in virtual meetings with some time in offices. In the classrooms and on campus may experience interruptions, distractions, heat, cold, dust and/or dampness. As a faculty member, you may spend extended periods in front of students and speaking as well as:
• Reading academic texts and materials, student papers, etc.
• Operating personal computer and audio-visual equipment.
• Standing or sitting for hours at a time.
• Moving around campus for classes and meetings.
Naropa recognizes the following holidays throughout the year: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Fall Break, 4th Thursday and Friday in November, and Winter Break, the last two weeks in December encompassing the Christmas holiday as well as New Year’s.
Naropa’s health and welfare benefits include the following: medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, an employer-sponsored pre-tax retirement savings plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching, and a variety of voluntary, employee-paid supplemental insurance plans.
A comprehensive benefits package is available to full-time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours each week. Employees who work 20 – 29 hours each week are eligible for only the employer-paid short-term & long-term disability, employer-paid life insurance & accidental death and dismemberment, and the retirement plan, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
Employees who work fewer than 20 hours per week are eligible to participate in Naropa’s retirement plan only, which includes up to 2.5% employer matching.
All regular full-time and part-time faculty and staff, including student workers, accrue sick leave benefits. Full-time and part-time staff positions accrue vacation and personal time. All leave accrual rates vary based on the position, hours worked, and years of service.
The University recognizes the importance of including its employees in its organizational mission and values and welcomes employees into the classroom to “touch the magic.” Specifically, regular employees are provided generous tuition remission opportunities for themselves and their family members.
Naropa University participates in the Council of Independent Colleges Tuition Exchange Program (CIC-TEP). CIC-TEP is a network of CIC colleges and universities willing to accept, tuition-free, students from families of full-time employees of other CIC participating institutions (full-time as designated by the employer/institution). Additional information can be found here: https://www.cic.edu/member-services/tuition-exchange-program.
Naropa University is an equal opportunity, non-discriminatory employer and Title IX is a federal civil rights law that prohibits gender discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual and relationship violence. This law applies to all students, faculty, and staff.