The Mental Health Counselor is a full-time, 12-month professional staff member in Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services. This position provides individual counseling, crisis intervention, and support to students experiencing emotional, psychological, academic, or personal challenges that affect their well-being and success. The counselor promotes student retention, resilience, and engagement through prevention, intervention, outreach, and referral services. The position collaborates with campus departments to support student success, assists students with accommodations and support resources, and helps coordinate testing-related services that promote access and achievement. Reporting to the Director of Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services, the counselor fosters a safe, supportive, and inclusive campus environment that enhances student well-being and academic success.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related mental health field.
- Current Mississippi licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or equivalent mental health professional.
- Applicants with provisional licensure (P-LPC or LMSW) may be considered if they have an approved clinical supervisor and are eligible to practice under supervision in accordance with Mississippi regulations.
- One to three years of professional counseling experience in a clinical or mental health setting; experience in higher education is preferred.
- Experience providing telemental health services.
- Knowledge of counseling theories, assessment and treatment planning, crisis intervention, case management, and professional ethics.
- Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with excellent organizational and time management abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse student populations and collaborate with faculty, staff, and community partners.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and complying with applicable ethical, legal, and professional standards.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience providing counseling and mental health services to college-age students in a higher education setting.
- Experience delivering substance use prevention, education, and early intervention services.
- Experience developing and facilitating workshops, presentations, support groups, and psychoeducational programs.
- Knowledge of student success initiatives, retention strategies, and case management practices in higher education.
- Familiarity with current best practices in college student mental health, wellness promotion, and academic success.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support student well-being and success.
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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, assessments, and referrals for students experiencing psychological, emotional, social, academic, or personal concerns.
- Provide on-call crisis response services, coordinate care, collaborate with Campus Police and campus partners, and facilitate appropriate referrals to ensure student safety and continuity of care.
- Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation, records, and correspondence in accordance with professional, legal, and institutional standards.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate outreach programs, workshops, and psychoeducational presentations that promote mental health, resilience, and student well-being.
- Promote Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services through orientations, campus events, classroom presentations, and faculty and staff training.
- Assist with the administration of on-campus and national ACT testing, academic placement testing, and related testing services as assigned.
- Utilize office technology, electronic health records, and software applications to support counseling, reporting, communication, and data management.
- Participate in professional development activities to maintain licensure, enhance clinical knowledge, and remain current with best practices.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners while demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, and cultural competence.
- Assess complex situations, prioritize responsibilities, solve problems effectively, and perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
- Maintain required licensure, certifications, and professional credentials, and participate in appropriate institutional, community, state, and professional organizations.
- Maintain confidentiality, accurate records, effective communication, and a safe, organized, and supportive work environment.
- Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, continuous learning, and proficiency with emerging technologies and counseling practices.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services and the District Dean of Student Services.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Knowledge of counseling theories, clinical assessment, crisis intervention, case management, and evidence-based therapeutic practices that promote student well-being, resilience, and academic success.
- Ability to assess student needs, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of counseling interventions and outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
- Understanding of and commitment to the College's mission, vision, values, and student-centered approach to higher education.
- Ability to establish rapport and effectively engage students in both in-person and virtual counseling environments.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and coordinate services with campus departments and community resources to support student success.
- Knowledge of disability services, accommodation processes, and testing services within a higher education environment.
- Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation, case records, and confidential student information in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional ethical standards.
- Experience using electronic health records, student information systems, and data management tools to document services, monitor utilization, and evaluate program effectiveness.
- Proficiency with personal computers, mobile devices, Microsoft Office applications, database systems, electronic health records, and virtual meeting platforms.
- Ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate outreach programs, workshops, presentations, and other educational initiatives that promote student mental health, wellness, and academic achievement.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a member of interdisciplinary teams, committees, and task forces.
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities, exercise sound professional judgment, and perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services and the District Dean of Student Services.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
- Communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and the public through verbal, written, and electronic communication.
- Interact regularly with individuals in person, by telephone, and through virtual communication platforms.
- Use a computer and other office technology to create, maintain, and access electronic and written records and documents.
- Sit for extended periods while performing computer-based and administrative tasks.
- Frequently use hands and fingers to operate computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment.
- Occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, kneel, and move throughout the work environment.
- Occasionally lift and/or move lightweight office supplies, testing materials, and other work-related items.
- Work primarily in the Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services office in a professional office environment with a generally quiet noise level.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
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APPLICATION
Interested applicants, should attach and submit the following:
- Application at www.northwestms.edu
- Resume
- Three Professional References (Name, Email Address, and Phone Number)
