Counselor

Job Title Counselor Position Type Staff Job Description

McMurry University is a private, selective, liberal arts university founded in 1923 and affiliated with the United Methodist Church. We are located on a beautiful 52-acre campus in the heart of Abilene, Texas. With over 1,100 undergraduate students, McMurry offers 45 majors, 40 clubs and organizations, and 21 intercollegiate NCAA, Division III sports.

The Counselor is responsible for mental health service provision as part of the operation of the University Counseling and Student Accessibility Services Center. This position has a focus individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and outreach programming for students, faculty and staff of McMurry University. The professional in this position helps to build the capacities of individuals (sometimes with developmental disabilities) and their family members utilizing available support networks on and off campus. Provides a wide range of psycho-social assessment, therapeutic, and care coordination services. This position requires a high degree of independent decision-making as well as team collaboration. This position is an integral part of the Student Affairs Division and reports to the Director of Counseling and Student Accessibility Services Center. As a 10-month appointment, this position works from beginning of August to end of May.

McMurry is deeply committed to building a community that embraces diversity and fosters equity and inclusion on our campus. We seek applicants who recognize diversity and cultural mindfulness as integral components of university excellence. We are looking for candidates who will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and the advancement of distinctive perspectives at McMurry.

Essential Duties Summary

Individual Counseling Services:

• Provide culturally responsive individual counseling to students including administration and interpretation of assessment instruments, treatment plan development, treatment and care coordination utilizing current mental health standards and best practices.

• Provide crisis interventions and coordination of high levels of care when appropriate during business hours.

• Maintain accurate documentation of counseling sessions following professional guidelines and best practice standards.

• Demonstrate a conscientious adherence to professional ethical principles and code of conduct standards.

Group Counseling/Training/Mental Health Promotion:

• Provide culturally responsive group counseling to students including appropriate assessment methods and brief time-sensitive treatment, commensurate with current standards of the profession.

• May provide training and supervision for interns and practicum students, such as co-leading therapy groups, and providing rotation training in area of expertise.

• Provides family support and/or counseling, including education and resources, to support adjustment to student's diagnosis, selecting and accessing interventions, care coordination and/or improving social-emotional skills.

• May provide formal teaching, consultation, and in-service training to relevant mental health literacy, wellness, substance abuse prevention, sexual harassment and violence and other areas to foster student success and mental health literacy.

Disability Services:

• Assist new students and family members with information about disability services and with providing accommodations for any students needing these services.

• Advocate for students with disabilities when appropriate.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or directly related field; at least 6 months of directly related experience which may include internship and/or practicum. Certification/Licensure (TX licensure) as LPC-Associate, LMSW, LMFT, LPC, LMFT, LCSW, or equivalent level. University can provide LCSW-S supervision if needed.

• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.

• May be subject to credentialing process; must maintain credentialed status, if applicable.

• Must maintain certification status.

Minimum Required Education Master's degree Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications:

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Experience with the following is desired:

• Evidence-based practices for collecting and evaluating data for case management and clinical decisions.

• Working with families and individuals with disabilities.

• Family and client support, counseling, education related to referral and advocacy to facilitate access to appropriate services and resources.

• Working as part of a team with other health and mental health professionals.

• Demonstrating the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races.

Physical Demands Special Conditions for Eligibility Salary EEO Statement

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action

McMurry University is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the university community and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, disability or veteran status, in employment or the provision of services, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is also prohibited pursuant to University policy.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number AS875P Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date 02/05/2024 Posting Open Date 01/17/2024 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants