Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Duke PA; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University invites applications for the Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) in Durham, NC. You will lead outreach, crisis support, and clinical services for Duke students within a comprehensive mental health program.

In CAPS, you will mentor clinicians and trainees, guide program development, strengthen partnerships across campus, and ensure culturally responsive care. The role blends strategic leadership with direct clinical work and collaboration with

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Psychology or related field with licensure
• Full, unrestricted professional licensure in Psychology, LCSW, LCMH, or LMFT
• Ability to obtain North Carolina licensure within required timeframes
• Eligibility to provide clinical supervision per licensure/training requirements
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in clinical assessment and treatment of college-aged populations
• A doctoral degree may substitute for two years of required experience

Responsibilities

• Lead CAPS leadership team with strategic planning, service evaluation, operations, and priorities
• Mentor, coach, and support staff engaged in outreach, crisis care, and professional development
• Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to trainees per licensure standards
• Oversee policy development, workflow improvements, and quality assurance initiatives
• Support hiring, onboarding, staff development, accreditation, and assessment processes
• Participate in university committees and continuing education opportunities
• Coordinate crisis services, risk management, and student support systems
• Identify process improvements and strengthen referral pathways to off-campus providers
• Lead CAPS outreach, education, prevention initiatives, and professional development
• Develop and oversee student mental health programs responsive to diverse populations
• Coordinate workshops, trainings, and wellness campaigns across campus
• Develop peer education and student ambassador programs
• Lead communications about CAPS services via digital channels and events
• Utilize metrics and feedback to improve outreach effectiveness
• Provide direct clinical services including individual, couples, group therapy, and crisis intervention
• Develop treatment plans and ensure culturally responsive care
• Maintain clinical documentation and participate in multidisciplinary coordination

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Crisis management

Clinical collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited institution

Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field

Job description

Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 277118

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we believe every student deserves access to compassionate, high-quality mental health care and a thriving campus community where they can succeed. As the Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), you will play a pivotal leadership role in advancing student well-being through outreach, prevention, crisis support, clinical services, and strategic collaboration across the university.

In this role, you'll join a dedicated team of clinicians, educators, and student affairs professionals committed to supporting the diverse needs of Duke students. You'll bring your clinical expertise, leadership skills, and passion for student mental health to help shape innovative programs, reduce barriers to care, and strengthen a culture of wellness across campus.

Be Bold.

As a member of the CAPS leadership team, you'll help drive initiatives that enhance student mental health, strengthen community partnerships, and expand access to care. You'll have the opportunity to influence strategy, mentor staff and trainees, develop innovative programs, and provide direct clinical services that make a meaningful difference in students' lives.

What You'll Do

Leadership, Supervision & Organizational Support (20%)

• Serve as an active member of the CAPS leadership team, contributing to strategic planning, service evaluation, operational improvements, and implementation of key priorities.
• Partner with the Director and Associate Director to support clinical operations, service delivery, and organizational effectiveness.
• Mentor, coach, and support staff engaged in outreach, crisis care, and professional development activities.
• Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to assigned trainees consistent with licensure requirements and professional standards.
• Lead special projects, including policy development, workflow enhancement, quality assurance initiatives, training programs, and service improvements.
• Support hiring, onboarding, staff development, accreditation activities, and assessment processes.
• Participate in university committees, professional organizations, and continuing education opportunities that advance CAPS' mission.

Crisis Care, High-Risk Support & Referral Coordination (20%)

• Collaborate with CAPS leadership to strengthen crisis services, risk-management practices, and student support systems.
• Participate in urgent care, crisis response, consultation, risk assessment, and follow-up planning.
• Coordinate hospitalization and return-to-campus support programs to ensure continuity of care and successful student transitions.
• Partner with students, clinicians, hospitals, community providers, university offices, and support networks to facilitate coordinated care.
• Support campus-wide response efforts related to critical incidents, student deaths, threats, and emergency situations.
• Help identify process improvements and strengthen referral pathways to off-campus mental health providers.
• Train staff and campus partners on crisis response procedures, hospitalization support programs, and referral practices.
• Lead the planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of CAPS outreach, education, and prevention initiatives.
• Develop innovative mental health programming that increases awareness, reduces stigma, and improves access to care.
• Create programs responsive to Duke's diverse student populations, with particular attention to underserved and underrepresented communities.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with student organizations, academic departments, Student Affairs partners, and community agencies.
• Coordinate workshops, trainings, consultations, wellness campaigns, orientation programs, and mental health awareness events.
• Develop and oversee peer education and student ambassador programs.
• Lead efforts to communicate CAPS services and resources through digital communications, including websites, newsletters, social media, and campus announcements.
• Utilize participation metrics, feedback, and assessment data to continuously improve outreach effectiveness.

Direct Clinical Services (30%)

• Provide individual counseling, couples counseling, group therapy, triage, and clinical assessment services.
• Deliver crisis intervention, safety planning, consultation, and referral services for students experiencing acute or complex mental health concerns.
• Conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, and provide evidence-informed and culturally responsive care.
• Facilitate referrals to campus and community resources while collaborating with internal and external providers as appropriate.
• Consult with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners regarding student mental health concerns.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory, ethical, and professional standards.
• Participate in case consultation, clinical meetings, and multidisciplinary care coordination activities.

What You'll Bring

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Psychology from an accredited institution, or a master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related behavioral health field.
• Full, unrestricted professional licensure and applicable supervision credentials in Psychology, LCSW, LCMH, or LMFT.
• Ability to obtain unrestricted North Carolina licensure within required timeframes if not already licensed in North Carolina.
• Eligibility to provide clinical supervision consistent with applicable licensure and training program requirements.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in:
• Clinical assessment and treatment of populations similar in age and developmental stage to college students.
• A doctoral degree may substitute for two years of required experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• North Carolina licensure at the time of hire.
• Significant experience leading mental health programs, clinical services, or organizational initiatives.
• Expertise in crisis assessment, intervention, consultation, and short-term treatment models.
• Experience supervising master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral trainees.
• Success working collaboratively within multidisciplinary environments and complex organizations.
• Strong clinical judgment and decision-making in high-risk situations.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and consultation skills.
• Effective leadership, supervision, and mentoring abilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining quality and responsiveness.
• Commitment to ethical practice, inclusion, continuous learning, and student-centered care.
• Ability to develop policies, procedures, training materials, and operational resources that strengthen service delivery.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll find more than a career, you'll find a community dedicated to excellence, innovation, and impact. As a nationally recognized institution, Duke invests in the health and success of its students while fostering a workplace culture that values collaboration, professional growth, belonging, and lifelong learning.

As the Assistant Director of CAPS, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Influence the future of student mental health services at one of the nation's leading universities.
• Partner with multidisciplinary colleagues across campus and the broader community.
• Develop innovative programs that improve access to care and student well-being.
• Mentor the next generation of mental health professionals.
• Contribute to a culture that values diversity, inclusion, compassion, and excellence.

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $70,349.00 to USD $129,548.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goesbeyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Duke aspires to create a community built oncollaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.