Director of Counseling Services

Clarkson University; Town of Potsdam (NY); On-site; USD 80,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY seeks a Director of Counseling Services to lead SHAC, maintain a clinical caseload, and develop outreach and psycho-educational programming for the campus. The role emphasizes collaboration across campus and strategic planning.

The position oversees a team, manages budget and staff development, coordinates telehealth services, ensures compliance with privacy laws, and builds partnerships to promote student mental health and well-being.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling or related field.
• Licensed as psychologist, counselor, or social worker.
• Eligible to obtain licensure in New York at the time of hire.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a clinical caseload and provide counseling for students.
• Coordinate crisis response and campus safety-related initiatives.
• Develop outreach, psycho-educational programs and campus collaborations.
• Supervise and evaluate staff; manage budget and staff development.
• Oversee telehealth contracts and ensure confidentiality compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Crisis Intervention

Educational Program Design

Collaboration

Cultural Competency

Team Leadership

Clinical Judgment

Education

Master's Degree in counseling or related field

Licensed as psychologist, counselor, or social worker

Eligible to obtain NY licensure at hire

Job description

Pay Range

USD $80,000.00 - USD $87,246.38 /Yr.

Overview

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling Services will have primary management responsibility for counseling services conducted within Student Health and Counseling (SHAC). The Director will work closely with the Director of Health Services to coordinate services within SHAC and collaborate to build a unified team. The Director will maintain a clinical caseload, serving students directly, as well as develop and facilitate outreach and psycho-educational programing for the campus community. Administrative responsibilities include strategic planning, data collection, outcome assessment, budget management, staff development, supervision and evaluation. Direct reports include an Assistant Director, three full-time Counselors, and an Administrative Assistant. This position is expected to build and maintain collaborative working relationships across the campus community. Student Affairs at Clarkson University is focused on a team approach to working with students. As such, the ability to build relationship and work with other departments is a priority for the Director ofCounseling Services.

The benefits of working in a University setting are numerous, including manageable caseloads, access to on-campus facilities, comprehensive benefits, and free tuition for employees and their dependents.

Responsibilities

• To balance student needs within the counseling center and the administrative demands of this position, client caseload may range but this position is expected to maintain at least a minimal caseload.
• Provide clinical assessments and counseling for students with a variety of mental health concerns.
• Maintain a working knowledge of diagnostic criteria, recommended therapeutic interventions, and demonstrate ability to make clinical and ethical decisions in a team-based environment.
• Coordinate the department’s crisis response efforts in serving individual students and/or for campus-impacting events.
• Serve as advocate for students on campus and as referral source for students in need of off campus referrals.
• Maintain consistent and professional clinical notes.
• Attend department meetings, interfacing with other key staff regarding department programming initiatives.
• Work closely with the campus community to help ensure a safe campus. This may include serving on, or having Counseling Center representation involved in, key campus committees, such as the Behavioral Intervention Team and SafetyNet.
• Develop relationships and work to educate the community so that the Counseling Center remains a strong and recognized resource on campus.
• Develop and guide the counseling center staff, providing supervision, leadership, and actively promoting a team approach.
• Oversee Clarkson's telehealth contract, serving as the primary point of contact to address any service concerns and fostering collaboration in serving students.
• Oversee campus-wide mental health awareness efforts, such as the provision of Mental Health First Aid.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal law, particularly related to confidentiality.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the counseling internship program which may include supervision of counseling interns, correspondence with counseling programs, and evaluation of interns.
• Assist with staff development initiatives, such as annual retreats, staff training, meetings, and other programing.
• Participate in Workplace Wellness programing, in collaboration with Human Resources Director, including serving as Chair for the Employee Wellness Advisory Committee.
• Perform other duties incidental to the work described herein.

Qualifications

Education: Minimal Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in counseling or related field
• Must be licensed as a psychologist, counselor, or social worker
• Eligible to obtain licensure in the State of New York at the time of hire

Experience: Minimal Experience:

• Demonstrated leadership and significant clinical experience are required
• Cultural competency, a collaborative leadership style, and unwavering commitment to upholding professional ethical standards
• Ability to design and lead educational programs and community outreach are essential
• A successful applicant must have knowledge of computer/word processing skills, embrace a team approach, and demonstrate a commitment to working with a student population

Preferred Experience:

• Experience in crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, peer education, outreach programs, and/or alcohol and substance abuse issues

Essential Skills

• Build and foster collaborative relationships across the campus
• Exhibit and promote strong leadership, management skills, and clinical skills
• Creativity in problem solving and connecting with a diverse student body
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Excellent verbal and written skills

Physical Demands

The physical demands characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Clarkson is committed to complying with the guidelines set forth under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Primarily a sedentary office role requiring prolonged periods of sitting and computer use.
• Ability to sit and stand in meetings for extended periods.
• Frequent use of a keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other standard office equipment.
• Sufficient visual activity to review information on a computer screen and in printed materials.
• Hearing and vision within normal ranges is essential for normal conversations, to receive ordinary information, and to prepare or inspect documents.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and via electronic communication.
• Occasional standing, sitting, walking, bending, or reaching within the office.
• May occasionally lift or move office materials weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Repetition of the same mental and physical tasks.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a typical office setting.
• Moderate noise levels.
• Standard office lighting and temperature.
• Access to office equipment, including computers, printers, and telephones.
• Frequent interaction with students, employees, and vendors.

Health & Safety

Health & Safety: All staff has a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff is therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety, and Environmental Policy & Procedures.

Disclaimer Statement

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

EEO Statement

Special Instructions to Applicants: An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, Clarkson actively seeks and encourages applications from veterans and people with disabilities.

All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully passing a background check (including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, and criminal records