Staff Counselor

Aurora University; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora University invites applications for a Staff Counselor to deliver direct clinical counseling to undergraduate and graduate students within a culturally competent framework. The role includes crisis intervention, risk assessment, and collaboration with campus partners to support student wellbeing.

The successful candidate will provide education and programming, engage in outreach, and contribute to multidisciplinary efforts aimed at supporting students through various modalities and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in mental health field with licensure track within Illinois.
• Experience with crisis intervention and college student populations.
• Strong public speaking and outreach capabilities.
• Understanding of multicultural theories and neuro-diverse clients.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct clinical counseling to undergraduate and graduate students, including screening and treatment planning.
• Conduct risk assessments and provide referrals; offer campus mental health expertise to faculty and staff.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team across campus to support student wellbeing.
• Deliver psychoeducational workshops and group programs; refer to external providers when needed.
• Participate in outreach activities and departmental committees as assigned.

Skills

Crisis intervention

Public speaking

Multicultural knowledge

Trauma informed care

Independent organization

Collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in mental health

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Staff Counselor is responsible for providing direct clinicalservices within a culturally competent framework and will beexpected to participate in campus outreach initiatives andactivities as needed.

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner withprospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, andthe community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse groupof faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service,learns and uses operating practices of the department and AuroraUniversity.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement: At Aurora University, oursingular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personaland professional success. We do this by being an inclusivecommunity dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As ateaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate andgraduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful andpurposeful lives.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizesthe confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through the performance of essential jobfunctions and performing other duties and functions as necessary oras assigned, including voluntary participation in universitycommittees, activities and events.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide direct clinical counseling services to universityundergraduate and graduate students including screening,assessment, diagnosis, case management, crisis intervention,treatment planning and treatment implementation.
• Provide short-term counseling for individuals, createpsychoeducational workshops and groups independently and incollaboration with other University departments and, whenappropriate, make referrals to outside providers and services.
• Complete risk assessments and make appropriate recommendationsand referrals. Serve as a campus mental health expert offeringconsultative services to faculty, staff, administration, athletics,and families in a variety of modalities ranging from informalindividual consultation to structured workshops and trainings.
• Consult within a multi-disciplinary team including medical,academic, and administrative professionals.
• Provide mandatory assessments after disciplinary violations andprovide brief substance abuse or behavioral health assessments andrecommendations regarding treatment to inform necessary sanctionsor corrective actions.
• Serve as a liaison for a portfolio of academic and/oradministrative department(s) across campus as assigned by theDirector of the Wellness Center.
• Develop and ensure provision of proactive education andprogramming.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

• Minimum requirement of a Master’s degree in a mental healthdiscipline (Social Work, Counseling or Clinical Psychology) withtrack to obtain independent level of licensure in the State ofIllinois within 6 months of employment.

Skills:

• Clinical experience relevant to working with college studentsor young adult populations.
• Experience providing crisis intervention.
• Well-developed public speaking skills. The employee should havean interest in providing outreach and consultation to groups.
• Knowledge and experience with multicultural theory and researchwith the ability to apply such research to college counselingcenter work.
• Knowledge, experience, and ability to provide services toneuro-diverse adults.
• Experience and training in trauma response and effectivetreatment modalities for trauma.
• The successful candidate will have the ability to managemultiple responsibilities, with a high degree of independentorganization, communication, and ethical practice.
• The chosen candidate will attend to the collegiate mentalhealth needs within a framework of the larger mission of highereducation and Aurora University.
• The ability to develop strong collaborative workingrelationships with all campus constituencies is required.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work with a computer for long periods of theday.
• Ability to attend off-campus meetings.
• Office setting, standing, walking, sitting.

Work Hours:

• Expected equivalent of 40 hours per week, but days/hours mayvary as needed. Hybrid or work from home employment will beconsidered if a candidate can demonstrate the ability to fulfillthis role effectively off-site and will only occur at thediscretion of the Director and with alignment with overall AuroraUniversity policies.