Adjunct Faculty - Family, Couple, and Relationship Counseling
Position Title: Adjunct Faculty - Family, Couple, and Relationship Counseling
# of Openings: 1
Department/Program: MTC Wilderness 12060
Work Location: Hybrid On-Site/Remote
Campus Location: Nalanda Campus
Reports to: NBTC Chair
FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried
FTE: 15% (6 hrs/week)
Compensation: $2573.72 to 3431.55 for the semester depending on previous experience teaching at Naropa
Application Deadline: 6/18 or until filled
Job Summary
The Nature-Based Transpersonal Counseling Concentration (NBTC) within Naropa University’s Graduate School of Counseling (GSC) seeks to fill an adjunct teaching position for Fall semester (August 25, 2025 – December 12, 2025).
We seek an instructor who values collaboration, community, and relationship. Our program is based upon a cohort model; experiential learning in class and in the field facilitates personal as well as professional growth and learning for our students.
Course Description
Drawing from a systems approach, students learn how to shift their focus from the individual to the dynamic interplay between people in relationships. The course focuses on collaborative approaches that promote healthier functioning, strengthen emotional bonds, and enhance communication and problem-solving skills. Family systems theories are presented along with principles, assessment, interventions, and challenges related to Family, Marital, and Relationship Counseling. Students explore their own family of origin as a ground for working with others. Also covered in this course are special considerations in working with social class, race, ethnicity, physical disability, trauma and abuse, culture, gender, and sexual orientation. The course consists of lecture, student presentations, class discussions, and experiential exercises.
This class has 6 on campus meetings throughout the semester and a 6-day field section at the Rio Mesa - Bonderman Field Station in Utah. The instructor and one additional field instructor will camp with
students and facilitate class as well as hiking excursions to explore the local ecology of the Dolores River and the nearby canyons.
Weeks class does not meet in person, an asynchronous 15-minute recorded lecture is provided.
No class or assignments week of 9/17 (Rock section).
Job Duties & Responsibilities
· Teaches with a professional level of preparedness for the duration of the semester.
· In collaboration with course area Core Faculty, reviews syllabus according to the Academic Affairs syllabi instructions and submits the syllabus to the Office of Academic Affairs by the established deadline (prior to August 18, 2025).
· Obtains permission from the copyright owner for any copyrighted material to be used in sourcebooks.
· Grades all assignments, provides feedback to students in a timely manner, and submits final grades by the deadline established by the Registrar.
· Submits grading and attendance data into the Learning Management System (LMS) in a timely manner.
· Provides one hour of office hours each week plus availability to students by appointment.
· Mentors students outside of class through meetings, phone or e-mail, as needed.
· Supports the Core Curriculum assessment process as assigned.
· As appropriate, works with staff and other faculty members to manage and/or mediate student issues and educational obstacles and handles probationary issues in accordance with program/GSCP policies and procedures and completes related paperwork.
· Completes any and all trainings as required by Human Resources or the Office of Academic Affairs within the time period set for completion by those departments.
· Attends faculty meetings as able.
· Other duties as assigned.
What Naropa Requires…
· EITHER a doctorate in Counseling, Counselor Education & Supervision, Psychology, related area relevant to mental health (e.g., Counseling Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy) OR these three requirements:
a) Master's degree in Counseling or a related field;
b) Licensed or eligible for licensure at the Professional Counselor or equivalent level; and
c) Equivalent of two years’ full-time employment in a clinical capacity in a mental health related setting (private practice, agency, or related setting) in the last five years.
· At least one year of experience providing nature-based therapy (adventure based and/or nature-based counseling) and familiarity with the principles of wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, and ecotherapy.
· Ability to teach at the graduate level in a way that is informed and enriched by clinical practice. Teaching will include lecture, discussion, and experiential exercises.
· Conflict resolution and mediation skills; experience supporting healthy group dynamics
· An understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression and the impact they have on equity, access, and opportunity, particularly with regard to classroom dynamics and course content
· Commitment to co-create an inclusive community and actively participate in related professional development, including openness to feedback and ongoing self-examination
· Excellent professional oral and written communication skills, administrative skills, and a collaborative style
· All job candidates must hold a commitment to co-create a diverse and inclusive community and actively participate in related JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) professional development regarding the dynamics of privilege and oppression and the impact these have in the workplace.
· All job candidates must demonstrate their level of understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity.
· All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.
Educational requirement:
· MA
Minimum length of prior applicable professional experience required:
· 2
May prior relevant experience substitute for degree? (If yes, please explain.) ☐Yes ☒No
(PLEASE NOTE: each applicant’s experience and demonstrated skills are assessed on a case-by-case basis as to their relevancy to the position applied for as well as whether they may substitute for required degree.)
What We’d Like You to Have…
· Licensure as an approved clinical supervisor (ACS) or the ability and willingness to obtain the necessary training.
· Ability and willingness to teach in backcountry settings, including holding Wilderness First Responder (or equivalent) certification.
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
-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.