Director of Counseling Services

Oral Roberts University; Tulsa (OK); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Oral Roberts University is seeking a Director of Counseling Services to lead its university counseling program, promoting emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual well-being for students. The role blends clinical service with administrative leadership within a Spirit-empowered Christian university.

You will oversee program development, supervision, crisis response, and collaboration with campus partners to ensure ethical, accessible services aligned with the university’s mission and holistic

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Counseling or closely related field.
• Oklahoma LPC Credentialing; LPC/LMFT supervisor preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional counseling experience in higher education or related setting.
• Experience providing clinical supervision and leading counseling staff.
• Strong knowledge of ethics, confidentiality, crisis intervention, and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for Counseling Services within the university.
• Maintain a limited clinical caseload as appropriate and provide direct counseling when needed.
• Supervise and develop Counseling Services staff and interns; ensure licensure requirements are met.
• Lead integration of counseling with spiritual life and whole-person education.
• Develop programs addressing resilience, relationships, identity, grief, anxiety, and stress management.
• Coordinate crisis response, risk assessment, and referrals with campus partners.
• Oversee budget, policies, records, and reporting for Counseling Services.

Skills

Clinical Leadership

Crisis Intervention

Staff Supervision

Interpersonal Skills

Ethical Practice

Education

Master’s degree in Counseling

Job description

Oral Roberts University is a non-profit organization whose staff and faculty actually make a difference in the lives of its students. We pride ourselves on our culture and the values we uphold. Our team is passionate about what we do, and we want you to make us even better!

JOB DESCRIPTION

- FULL TIME

The Director of Counseling Services provides strategic, clinical, and administrative leadership for the university’s counseling program and promotes the emotional, mental, relational, and spiritual well-being of students.

Working within the mission and values of a Spirit-empowered Christian University, the Director provides leadership for a comprehensive counseling program that supports students through personal, relational, academic, emotional, and developmental challenges. The Director ensures that counseling services are accessible, ethical, culturally responsive, professionally sound, and appropriately integrated with the University’s mission and whole-person approach to student development.

The Director provides direct clinical services as appropriate while primarily focusing on the leadership, development, supervision, assessment, and continuous improvement of Counseling Services.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Clinical Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for the University’s counseling services department
• Maintain a limited clinical caseload as appropriate to the needs of the department and university.
• Provide individual, couples, group, crisis, and other counseling services within the scope of professional licensure and university policy.
• Provide clinical consultation and support to counselors regarding complex student concerns, risk assessment, crisis response, and appropriate referrals.
• Establish and maintain appropriate protocols for crisis intervention, suicide risk assessment, threat assessment, mandated reporting, hospitalization, and other high-risk situations.
• Ensure counseling practices comply with applicable professional standards, ethical requirements, university policies, and legal regulations.
• Develop and maintain relationships with qualified community mental health providers and other external resources for student referrals.

2. Supervision and Staff Development

• Recruit, interview, train, supervise, and evaluate Counseling Services personnel.
• Provide regular clinical and administrative supervision to counseling staff as appropriate to licensure and professional requirements.
• Establish expectations for professional development, continuing education, licensure, and clinical competency.
• Foster a healthy, collaborative, and supportive team culture.
• Develop onboarding and ongoing training for counseling staff related to university policies, student development, crisis response, and the university’s mission and values.
• Supervise graduate counseling interns, practicum students, or other trainees when applicable.

3. Christian Integration and Whole-Person Care

• Lead Counseling Services in alignment with the university’s Christian mission, values, and commitment to whole-person education.
• Support an understanding of students as whole persons—spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and relationally.
• Encourage appropriate integration of faith and counseling when consistent with the student’s preferences, clinical appropriateness, professional ethics, and university expectations.
• Collaborate with Spiritual Life, Student Life, and other university departments to promote holistic student support.
• Help develop resources and programs addressing topics such as resilience, relationships, identity development, grief, anxiety, stress management, healthy decision-making, and spiritual well-being.
• Serve as a trusted resource for university leaders regarding student wellness and emerging mental health needs.

4. Student Support and Crisis Response

• Participate in university crisis response and student support processes as assigned.
• Collaborate with the Care Team, Student Life leadership, Residence Life, Student Support Services, academic personnel, and other appropriate university offices regarding students of concern.
• Consult with university personnel regarding appropriate interventions while maintaining professional confidentiality and applicable privacy requirements.
• Assist in developing coordinated responses for students experiencing significant emotional, psychological, behavioral, or personal challenges.
• Provide consultation and education to faculty and staff regarding recognizing and responding appropriately to students in distress.

5. Program Development and Prevention

• Develop and implement a comprehensive counseling services model that addresses both clinical needs and student development.
• Identify emerging student wellness trends and develop programs, workshops, and educational initiatives in response to identified needs.
• Promote preventative mental health and wellness programming throughout the university community.
• Develop outreach initiatives that reduce stigma and increase awareness and utilization of counseling resources.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and accessibility of counseling programs and services.
• Utilize student feedback, utilization data, assessment results, and emerging best practices to improve services.

6. Administration and Operations

• Develop and manage the Counseling Services annual budget in collaboration with Student Life leadership.
• Establish appropriate policies, procedures, documentation standards, and operational processes for the department.
• Maintain appropriate records and ensure compliance with university and professional requirements.
• Monitor counseling utilization, appointment availability, wait times, referral patterns, and other relevant program indicators.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for Student Life and university leadership.
• Participate in strategic planning and departmental goal-setting.
• Ensure appropriate procedures are in place for after-hours and emergency mental health needs, including coordination with external crisis resources.

7. Collaboration and Campus Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Student Life leadership team and contribute to the overall student experience.
• Collaborate closely with the Care Team and other Student Life departments to create a coordinated student support system.
• Establish strong working relationships with Residence Life, Student Experience, Spiritual Life, Student Support Services, Academic Affairs, Athletics, and other university departments.
• Represent Counseling Services on appropriate university committees and task forces.
• Provide consultation to university leadership on student mental health, wellness, and behavioral concerns.
• Participate in university events, training, orientation, and educational programs as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Oklahoma LPC Credentialing; a LPC/LMFT supervisor is preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional counseling experience, with demonstrated experience in a higher education, community mental health, or comparable setting.
• Demonstrated experience providing clinical supervision and/or leading counseling professionals.
• Strong knowledge of professional ethics, confidentiality, crisis intervention, risk assessment, and applicable mental health regulations.
• Experience working with emerging adults and college-age students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong clinical judgment and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage confidential and highly sensitive information with discretion.
• Ability to respond calmly and effectively during crises.
• Strong organizational, administrative, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead, develop, and evaluate professional staff.
• Understanding of the intersection of mental health, student development, spirituality, and college life.
• Ability to establish appropriate professional boundaries while demonstrating genuine care and compassion for students.
• Commitment to ethical, culturally responsive, student-centered care.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, and external professionals.

Spiritual and Mission Expectations

As a leader within a Christian university, the Director of Counseling Services is expected to:

• Support and advance the university’s Christian mission and values.
• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity consistent with the university’s standards.
• Respect the dignity, value, and uniqueness of each student.
• Model compassion, humility, professionalism, and servant leadership.
• Support the university’s commitment to whole-person education and student flourishing.
• Participate in appropriate university spiritual life, professional development, and community activities.