Counselor I

Inside Higher Ed; Macon (GA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Health Savings Account

Life Insurance

Sick Leave

Vacation Leave

Parental Leave

Retirement

Employee discounts

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A public state university in Georgia is seeking a Counselor I to provide counseling services addressing students' personal and educational needs. Responsibilities include individual and group counseling, administrative duties related to confidentiality, and outreach programming focused on mental health issues. The ideal candidate will hold a graduate degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology, and must have Associate Licensure in Georgia. This role offers a full-time position with a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Graduate Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology is required.
• Must be Associate Licensed to practice in Georgia (LAPC, LMSW).
• Sufficient experience relevant to major duties.

Responsibilities

• Provides ongoing individual and group counseling.
• Maintains confidential records according to privacy laws.
• Develops outreach programming on mental health topics.

Skills

Knowledge of counseling services in higher education

Crisis intervention skills

Interpersonal relations

Education

Graduate Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or Psychology

Job description

Job Information

• Job Title: Counselor I
• Location: MGA - Macon
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Job ID: 295418

About Us

Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses-Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia-and global outreach through its fully-online campus. Its enrollment of 8,400 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia's 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia's flagship aviation program, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for performing a variety of functions addressing students' personal and educational needs. These functions include counseling services of a remedial, preventive and developmental nature for students who are experiencing psychological, social or emotional distress relating to a wide array of concerns. In keeping with State of Georgia law, incumbents in this position should have obtain an associate licensed as a Professional Counselor, Social Worker or Psychologist in Georgia, and work with supervision, under the direction of someone licensed and approved by the State Board of Examiners until full licensure is attained.

Responsibilities

• Counseling (65%)
  • Provides ongoing individual and group counseling while conducting initial assessments.
  • Perform duties relating to client cases, including client treatment planning and completing treatment documentation, in a professional and timely fashion in accordance with center policy.
  • Works to individually address the needs of students who struggle with concerns such as mental health and wellness, homelessness, and food insecurity through direct outreach and follow up with student and referrals to campus and community resources.
  • Interprets students' psycho-educational assessment reports; interprets psychological and development assessments and inventories.
  • Develops and facilitates structured groups in areas related to educational choices, interpersonal relationships, and social problems.
  • Promotes the adoption of healthy lifestyle choices for mental, emotional and social health.
  • Must meet with an approved clinical supervisor for regular meetings TBD by Clinical Supervisor
• Confidentiality/ Record Keeping/ Administrative Duties (20%)
  • Maintains confidential records of student cases according to privacy laws, (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act-HIPAA) while having a working knowledge of Electronic Health Records, (EHR).
  • Assists in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
  • Performs related duties as assigned to support the mission on the University, including attending university committees, task forces or other meetings assigned by the Director.
  • Serves as member of the Assessment & Care Team.
  • Identifies as a Campus Security Authority (CSA)
• Campus and Community Duties (10%)
  • Provides appropriate college community and clinical referrals.
  • Provides outreach and consultative services. Outreach programing includes developing and delivering workshops and presentations on topics related to mental health issues, and participating in various faculty/staff/student trainings. Consultation services include providing consultation to faculty, staff, families and students regarding mental health issues.
• Crisis Management (5%)
  • Provides crisis intervention including same-day emergency appointments for students, faculty, staff and administrators.

Required Qualifications

• Educational Requirements Graduate Degree in Counseling, Social Work or Psychology is required.
• Other Required Qualifications Must be Associate Licensed to practice in the State of Georgia (LAPC, LMSW). Must be under clinical supervision and actively pursuing clinical hours towards licensure.
• Required Experience Sufficient experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position, usually associated with the completion of an apprenticeship/internship or having had a similar position for one to two years.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of counseling services in the context of higher education.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws related to counseling services.
• Knowledge of counseling principles as related to at-risk populations and crisis situations.
• Knowledge of various laws (FERPA, HIPAA, etc.) that impact counseling service provision in the university counseling center.
• Experience with short-term therapy models
• Experience with providing case management services
• Experience with providing crisis intervention
• Experience in group counseling modalities.
• Skill in and a commitment to providing clinical and outreach services to all populations.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skill in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent: CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - Learning

Equal Employment Opportunity

Middle Georgia State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity employer. It is the policy of the Middle Georgia State University to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50).

For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Middle Georgia State University Office of Human Resources at 877.251.2644. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources.

Other Information

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Retirement
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

Background Check

Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.