Counselor

University of Wisconsin-La Crosse; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 45,915 - 48,211; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Flexible health insurance

Paid holidays and sick days

Retirement system benefits after 5 years

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is hiring a Counselor to provide comprehensive mental health services to its students. This 10-month position involves conducting counseling for individuals and groups, developing outreach initiatives, and collaborating with university departments to promote inclusivity and accessibility. The successful candidate will work full-time during the academic year, participate in various professional development opportunities, and play a vital role in supporting students’ mental health needs.

Compensation ranges from $45,915 to $48,211 depending on licensure status, with a strong emphasis on cultural competence and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in relevant field required.
• Eligible for licensing in Wisconsin by August 2026.
• Two or more years of post-graduate clinical experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional counseling services including individual and crisis counseling.
• Develop outreach services for various student populations.
• Maintain accurate records of evaluations and treatment.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Cultural competence

Solution-focused therapy

Group counseling

Assessment and treatment

Education

Master’s degree in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work

Job description

Position Title

Counselor

Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Counselor

Job Duties

The Counseling & Testing Center (CTC) seeks skilled mental health clinicians dedicated to promoting the mental health of our students. The Counselor will join a dedicated and energetic staff at the CTC committed to cultural self‑awareness and ongoing campus efforts to offer inclusive and accessible mental health services. The CTC engages in active collaboration with campus partners, develops training and programming to address student mental health needs, and provides innovative service delivery. Our mission is to promote students’ psychological, academic, social, and cultural growth through professional and confidential counseling services. We accomplish this by maintaining an environment grounded in our values of compassion, collaboration, inclusion, and access.

This is a 10‑month annual appointment. The successful candidate will work full time for 10 months of the year (August 1 to May 31) and will be on a short work break for June and July.

Typical office hours are 7:45 am–4:30 pm. Evening hours may be required as we expand services (e.g., one evening per week); schedule adjustments will be made to maintain an average of 40 hours/week onsite. No after‑hours crisis coverage is required, though clinical staff may occasionally provide evening outreach programming and may be called in for campus crisis response. Expectations include both telehealth and in‑person counseling services.

Key Job Responsibilities

Provision of Direct Counseling Services

• Provide professional counseling services for UWL students, including individual, group, crisis, and occasional couples counseling.
• Provide initial brief assessment (triage) and urgent care coverage.
• Select, administer, and interpret various psychological, educational, and/or vocational assessments and tests.
• Provide appropriate referral resources to students, faculty, and staff.
• Engage in timely collaboration and consultation with various university departments and offices to support and advocate for students.
• Participate in the training and supervision of practicum students and interns.
• Participate in pre‑licensure supervision of CTC staff when qualified to do so.

Provision of Indirect Counseling Services (Prevention/Education/Outreach/Consultation)

• Develop and implement Counseling & Testing Center outreach services that address the needs of the general student population as well as traditionally underserved populations.
• Provide consultation to the UWL community and the outside community when feasible.
• Collaborate with campus wellness constituents in creating and presenting prevention/education programs and services for special populations.
• Participate in in‑service training for Counseling & Testing Center staff and the campus community.
• Contribute to campus diversity, multicultural, and Inclusive Excellence Initiatives.

University Service & Other Miscellaneous

• Perform other duties and projects assigned by the director.
• Share responsibility for creating and maintaining an inclusive environment for all university students, faculty, staff, and visitors.
• Share responsibility for creating a work environment that emphasizes integrity, respect, direct communication, and support among colleagues and staff.
• Communicate with the director regarding absences, program ideas, concerns, projects, etc.
• Serve on staff, student affairs, and university committees and/or task force groups as appropriate.

Professional Development

• Contribute to Counseling & Testing Center training/clinical staff seminars as presenter and consultant.
• Participate in campus staff development training sessions.
• Maintain and improve clinical competence through ongoing professional development activities and education, including reading professional journals and books.
• Attend and participate in local, state, regional and national professional conferences and continuing education workshops.
• Maintain memberships in professional organizations.
• Maintain appropriate licensure.

Administrative Activities

• Maintain timely and accurate records of evaluation, treatment, consultation, and correspondence (case management).
• Participate in administrative staff meetings.
• Assist with administrative and fiscal planning as needed.
• Engage in and conduct applied research, needs assessment, and evaluation of counseling and outreach services.

Compensation

$48,211 (independently licensed) per year or $45,915 (training license) per year.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work, approved by the WI Professional Counselor section (MPSW 14.01), achieved by August 1, 2026.
• Eligible to be licensed as a Qualified Treatment Trainee in the state of Wisconsin (LPC‑IT, APSW, or equivalent) by August 1, 2026.

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently licensed as an LPC, LCSW, or LMFT.
• Experience conducting outreach programming, presentations, training, and/or workshops relevant to college students.
• Two or more years of post‑graduate clinical experience, with significant experience conducting brief therapy with emerging adults for a wide range of presenting concerns. Experience with solution‑focused (SFBT) and other brief treatment models is desired.
• Experience working with culturally and diagnostically diverse college students.
• Experience conducting assessment and providing treatment for adults in one or more of the following areas: disordered eating, performance enhancement/athletics, expressive arts therapy, crisis management, and concerns related to neurodiversity.
• Commitment to providing group counseling (psychoeducational/skills, support, and therapy groups).
• Significant experience with crisis intervention and risk assessment.
• Interest and/or experience providing clinical supervision.

Benefits

• Paid vacation for 12‑month positions.
• Excellent flexible health insurance with low co‑pays and good coverage.
• Paid holidays and paid sick days.
• After 5 years of employment, vested in the retirement system ensuring income post‑career.
• Benefits are highly competitive with local industry and some of the strongest in state and nation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.