Mental Health Counselor

Position: Mental Health Counselor

Status: Full-Time, Exempt (10-month position)

Department: Counseling Center

Reports to: Director of Counseling

Salary: $53,191.00

Position Description: This position supports student success via short-term, compassionate mental health counseling services. The position provides a broad range of clinical services, including but not limited to psychological assessments and evaluations; individual and group counseling; crisis intervention; counseling support with faculty, staff, and parents; and campus-wide education and training of both students and employees on mental health issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide compassionate trauma-informed individual and group counseling for Paul Smiths College students to help address a variety of mental health concerns and adjustment difficulties. Serve as an advocate for students and as a source of referrals.

• Maintain updated knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues including a working knowledge of DSM criteria, recommended therapeutic interventions and psychopharmacological treatments.

• Maintain complete documentation and accurate records; prepare monthly, annual, and other reports as assigned.

• Rotate on-call crisis intervention after regular business hours according to established protocol. Follow prescribed procedures in emergency situations.

• Participate in the hiring, training, and supervision of student workers for educational programming on alcohol, sexual health, healthy relationships, diversity, and other identified areas of need.

• Develop on-campus programming related to wellness and other areas of need.

• Demonstrate ability to make clinical and ethical decisions in a team-based environment.

• Collaborate on early identification and intervention of at-risk students with other staff and faculty.

• Assist in the mental health-related training of Student Affairs staff (e.g. Residence Life, Campus Safety, etc.) and others including parents, faculty, and staff.

• Develop, implement, and present outreach, programming and education workshops as required.

• Assist with the design, planning, implementation and review of departmental and campus-wide policies and procedures. Serve on college committees as may be required.

• Maintain licensure and certification within New York State and membership in appropriate professional organizations.

• Perform other duties incidental to the work described herein, and as assigned by the Director of the Counseling Center.

Requirements and Preferences

• REQUIRED: Licensed as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or a Professional Counselor (LMHC) in the State of New York. If unlicensed, able to obtain New York licensure within one year of hire date.

• Previous clinical experience with a college-age population (preferably within a college counseling center)

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, working knowledge of MS Office applications, and commitment to working with the college student population are essential.

• Two years of experience in crisis intervention, individual and group counseling, peer education, program development and delivery, and alcohol and substance abuse issues, in a higher education setting is strongly preferred.

• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.

• Ability to walk, climb stairs, sit at a workstation for an extended period.

• Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings to meet the expectations of the position.

Position will remain open until filled and review of candidates will begin immediately.

Paul Smiths College values diversity in the College community and seeks to assure equal through its continued Affirmative Action program. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V