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Associate Director of State Authorization and Professional Licensure Compliance Reports to: Office of the Provost & Special Advisor to the

President Status:

Regular, Full-Time, Exempt Location:

Remote/Required onsite 2-3 times a year

Pay Range :

$70,000 - $85,000 Position Overview The Associate Director of State Authorization and Professional Licensure Compliance provides strategic leadership and institutional oversight for state authorization, professional licensure research, and licensure and credentialing support at Pacifica Graduate Institute. This role plays a critical part in helping Pacifica navigate the evolving national regulatory landscape while ensuring that students and graduates have clear, accurate, and accessible information as they pursue their education, which may include seeking professional licensure. The Associate Director serves as Pacifica's subject matter expert on state authorization and professional licensure requirements, maintaining current knowledge of regulations and requirements across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The position monitors regulatory developments, evaluates institutional risk, advises leadership on authorization and licensure matters, and works collaboratively across academic, enrollment, registrar, compliance, and risk management functions. A central focus of the role is empowering students and alumni to understand the licensure landscape and make informed decisions about their educational and professional pathways. The Associate Director provides resources, training, presentations, research, and individualized support while clearly communicating Pacifica's role in the post-degree licensure process and the independent authority of state licensing boards. The Associate Director will assess opportunities to maintain and expand Pacifica's authorization and licensure eligibility across jurisdictions, including evaluating new programs, curricular changes, online offerings, and student placements. The position also identifies emerging regulatory risks and opportunities and partners with academic leadership to strengthen licensure portability and institutional readiness. Because of the cross-functional and strategic nature of this work, the Associate Director reports jointly to the Office of the Provost and the Special Advisor to the President. This position may be performed remotely, with travel to campus approximately 1-3 times per year. Key Responsibilities State Authorization Strategy, Management, and Compliance Provide strategic oversight of Pacifica's state authorization activities and ensure ongoing compliance in jurisdictions where the Institute enrolls students. Evaluate state authorization and regulatory requirements associated with new academic programs, curricular changes, accreditation standards, online offerings, clinical experiences, and student placements. Research, prepare, and submit state authorization applications, renewals, registrations, exemptions, fees, and required regulatory reports. Maintain comprehensive records of institutional approvals, exemptions, registrations, renewals, and related documentation. Monitor federal, state, and regional regulatory developments affecting distance education, student enrollment, and institutional authorization. Conduct compliance reviews and risk assessments and recommend appropriate mitigation strategies. Develop and implement policies, procedures, systems, and internal controls that support effective regulatory compliance. Partner with academic departments and institutional leadership to evaluate program compliance based on where students are located and where they intend to practice. Serve as Pacifica's institutional subject matter expert on state authorization matters. Monitor student location information and enrollment trends to identify emerging compliance considerations. Maintain accurate, accessible, and current state authorization information on Pacifica's website. Develop and deliver training and educational resources for faculty, staff, and administrators regarding state authorization requirements. Partner with institutional faculty and staff to provide guidance and support on complex student cases involving state authorization. Professional Licensure Research and Consultation Maintain comprehensive working knowledge of professional licensure requirements across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico for each Pacifica professional licensure program. Research and interpret state-specific licensure requirements, regulatory processes, curriculum requirements, and mandatory disclosure obligations. Develop, maintain, and regularly update a comprehensive database documenting the jurisdictions in which Pacifica curricula meet, may not meet, or require additional consideration for professional licensure eligibility. Maintain current and accessible professional licensure disclosures and related information on Pacifica's website. Provide consultation and resources regarding professional licensure requirements and mandatory disclosures for prospective and current students. Develop and maintain appropriate documentation and acknowledgments for students regarding licensure requirements and disclosures. Collaborate with The Office of Admissions and the Registrar to maintain accurate information regarding students' states of residence and intended states of professional practice. Meet regularly with enrollment staff to strengthen their understanding of professional licensure requirements and support informed conversations with prospective students. Identify opportunities to expand licensure eligibility into additional jurisdictions by evaluating regulatory requirements, curriculum alignment, and potential gaps. Collaborate with academic leadership to identify strategies that may strengthen graduate licensure portability. Monitor announcements and regulatory developments from the American Psychological Association and other relevant professional and regulatory organizations. Communicate with state licensing boards and regulatory agencies, as appropriate, to clarify jurisdiction-specific requirements and processes. Provide institutional leadership with timely research, data, and analysis regarding licensure requirements, regulatory trends, emerging challenges, and significant changes. Student, Alumni, and Credentialing Support Serve as a knowledgeable and accessible resource for prospective students, current students, and alumni navigating the national professional licensure landscape. Connect students and alumni with appropriate state licensing boards and authoritative resources so they can obtain definitive answers regarding credentialing and licensure. Clearly communicate Pacifica's role in the post-degree licensure process, including the distinction between providing factual information and resources and providing professional licensure advice or representing the position of a state licensing board. Provide workshops, presentations, resources, and individualized support related to professional licensure and credentialing. Help students understand how Pacifica's curriculum aligns—or may not align—with specific state licensure requirements, including circumstances in which additional coursework, supervised experience, examinations, or other requirements may apply. Respond thoughtfully and professionally to student and alumni concerns or challenges related to licensure and credentialing. Meet regularly with the Provost Office and applicable faculty leaders to review curriculum and identify opportunities to support continued alignment with state licensure requirements. Provide in-class presentations and licensure question-and-answer sessions at the request of faculty. Present licensure and credentialing information and resources as part of each new student orientation. In collaboration with the Provost Office and applicable faculty leaders, prepare institutional documentation—such as letters or course catalog information—in support of graduates whose licensure applications have been denied, when appropriate and requested. Escalate emerging or significant changes in licensure laws and regulations to the Provost Office, applicable faculty leaders and Special Advisor to the President, particularly when such changes may create institutional risk or require strategic action. Minimum Qualifications Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or related field. At least three years of administrative experience in higher education, regulatory compliance, professional licensure, or a closely related field. At least two years experience with graduate programs. Demonstrated familiarity with professional licensure boards, regulatory agencies, or licensure processes. Strong technical and regulatory writing skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear, accessible information. Demonstrated ability to interpret, analyze, and apply complex regulations and regulatory guidance. Exceptional organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, applications, regulatory deadlines, and competing priorities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguity, build collaborative relationships, and manage sensitive or complex conversations. Extensive research skills and exceptional attention to detail. Familiarity with academic curriculum, accreditation standards, and professional licensure requirements for mental health and counseling professions. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with students, alumni, faculty, administrators, and staff across the institution. Excellent verbal, written, and listening skills. Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Proficiency with Adobe Acrobat Pro and PDF editing applications. Demonstrated ability to work independently, learn new regulatory systems, and develop efficient processes and systems for credentialing and licensure compliance. Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with Pacifica Graduate Institute's academic and professional licensure programs, or comparable clinical licensure programs within higher education. Knowledge of Pacifica Graduate Institute and an appreciation for depth psychology and its educational mission. Professional licensure in a counseling or related mental health field, such as LPC, LMHC, LPCC, LCSW, or LMFT. Experience working directly with state professional licensing boards or regulatory agencies. Experience developing institutional licensure disclosures, regulatory databases, or compliance systems. Experience translating complex regulatory requirements into student-facing resources, training, and communications. Why This Role Matters This position offers an opportunity to make a meaningful institutional impact at the intersection of higher education, professional licensure, regulatory compliance, and student success. The Associate Director will help Pacifica anticipate a rapidly changing regulatory environment while creating greater clarity and confidence for students and graduates pursuing professional careers. The successful candidate will bring curiosity, sound judgment, strong research skills, and a collaborative spirit to work that directly supports Pacifica's students, academic programs, and mission. This is an opportunity for a thoughtful and strategic professional to build systems, strengthen institutional readiness, and help ensure that students have the information and resources they need to navigate their professional journeys. The duties and responsibilities outlined above are intended to provide a general overview of the role and are not exhaustive. Responsibilities may change based on institutional needs. Pacifica Graduate Institute is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace for all employees.