"Adjunct Faculty, Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology – Interpersonal and Community D"

Position Title: Adjunct Faculty, Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology – Interpersonal and Community Dynamics Awareness Labs Lead (In person, on Campus)

# of Positions to Fill: 1

Department/Program: CPBP 12010

Work Location Authorization: 100% On-Site

Campus Location: Nalanda Campus

Reports to: CPBP Department Chair

FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried

FTE: 15% (6 hrs/week)

Compensation: $857.91 to $1,143.86 depending on previous experience teaching at Naropa

Application Deadline: July 31, 2024 or until filled

Job Summary

The Contemplative Psychotherapy and Buddhist Psychology department seeks an adjunct faculty member to fill the Interpersonal and Community Dynamics Awareness Lab Lead role in the Fall 2024 and Fall 2025 semesters to conduct consultation groups and bridge the group track with the rest of the program administration. These bi-weekly consultation/ administration meetings occur during each 15-week-long semester to provide support, guidance, education, and track administrative duties to the instructors of these courses.

The Lead is responsible for holding and conveying the vision of the group/lab process curriculum as well as for assessing, maintaining, and revising its execution within the overall program curriculum in collaboration with the program leadership team. 

This is a 1-credit engagement scheduled to meet on Naropa University’s Nalanda Campus. The related courses are taught in the Buddhism-informed Counseling Concentration, formerly known as Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology department. The position is a two-semester position for Fall 2024 (August-December 2024) and Fall 2025 (August-December 2025).  

Course Description

In the Community Dynamics Awareness Lab class, a cohort of students participates in a large group process that includes their entire class. Emphasis is on providing support for the students' journey, while providing the students the opportunity to study the many dimensions of large group dynamics as these develop in their group. The class focuses on issues of inclusiveness/exclusiveness, finding one's voice in a large group or community, and how to lead large groups. 

In the Interpersonal and Community Dynamics Awareness Lab class, a cohort of students participates in a small group throughout their tenure in the program. Emphasis is on providing support for the students' journey, while providing the students the opportunity to study the many dimensions of small group dynamics as these develop in their respective groups.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• During orientation week, organize and attend Interpersonal and Community Dynamics Awareness Lab initial meeting with lab leaders and first year students.
• Collaborate with concentration chair and academic advisor in planning the lab schedule for each semester.
• Lead and organize one and a half hour, bi-weekly supervision meetings for lab facilitators. In these meetings, the lab leaders discuss potential student and facilitation issues and their lab group’s progress in general.
• Attend bi-weekly program administrative meetings.
• Attend concentration curriculum committee meetings as needed.
• Meet with Course Instructors/facilitators at the end of each semester to review student evaluations.
• Serve as administrator and search committee chair in hiring new course instructors. 
• When necessary, meet individually with lab facilitators leaders to offer consultation, guidance, and support. 
• When necessary, meet individually with students who need support regarding their experiences in the courses.
• Participate at Student Orientation.
• Attend relevant concentration faculty meetings, as needed.
• Be available to meet with students as needed.
• Assist group leaders in preparing course syllabi according to the Academic Affairs syllabi instructions. 
• Complete all faculty and staff trainings as required by the Human Resources Office or the Office of Academic Affairs within the time set for completion by those departments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• EITHER a doctorate in Counseling, Counselor Education & Supervision, Psychology, related area relevant to mental health (e.g., Counseling Psychology, Marriage & Family Therapy) or related to the course specialization; 

OR these three requirements: 

1) Master's degree in Counseling or a related field; 

2) Licensed or eligible for licensure at the Professional Counselor or equivalent level; and 

3) 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. 

• Significant teaching experience including lecture, facilitating discussion, and experiential exercises.  
• Ability to demonstrate course content area knowledge and understanding of its application in counseling.  
• High degree of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and assertive communication skills.  
• Willingness to participate in professional development, including openness to feedback and ongoing self-examination. 
• Ability to create and maintain a positive team environment and behave professionally with everyone encountered in the course and scope of the job duties. 
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with transpersonal psychology, mindfulness approaches, and/or contemplative education.  
• Board-certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BC-DMT)
• Experience in training counselors at the graduate level. 
• Recent and/or current experience in the counseling field. 

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.