Counselor (185-Day Calendar)

About the role

This position involves counseling students, leading workshops and programs on wellness and mental health topics, and conducting outreach programs, including counseling for the student community.

Responsibilities

• Provide assessment and time-limited counseling and psychotherapy for students.
• Develop and provide group counseling and psychotherapy through general therapy groups or groups addressing specific clinical issues or student needs.
• Deliver campus outreach programs, workshops, and trainings related to wellness and mental health topics for students, staff, and the community.
• Consult with parents, faculty, academic deans, residence life staff, health services, disability services, other campus offices, and students as appropriate and authorized.
• Provide oversight, case management, and consultation to interns and practicum students.
• Assist in marketing and publicizing department activities and programs.
• Assist in evaluation and outcomes assessment projects.
• Maintain clinical records and necessary statistics/documentation of therapeutic and other client contacts.
• Follow ethical and professional practices of the counseling profession, including maintaining confidentiality.
• Provide office coverage on various days/evenings as necessary.
• Provide crisis intervention counseling, including daytime and evening/weekend services as needed.
• Participate in Commencement ceremonies and Open House events.
• Develop and deliver psychoeducational programs that facilitate student development.
• Maintain a regular presence in the College’s Residence Life program to provide on-location programming.
• Participate in Student Affairs major event activities such as Connections, Student Recognition activities, Residence Life programs, and Health and Wellness programming.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and case reviews.
• Engage in internal and external staff development activities.
• Contribute to the betterment of the College through departmental committee participation.
• Assist the supervisor with grant proposal preparation.
• Assist the supervisor in the selection, procurement, and cataloging of counseling and mental health materials.
• Contribute to the betterment of the College through College-wide committee participation.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling, or a related discipline.
• Doctorate in Psychology, Counseling, or a related discipline (preferred).
• One (1) to three (3) years of full-time work experience as a counselor, preferably in a higher education setting.
• Experience providing alcohol and drug treatment counseling/programming.
• Experience dealing directly with risk management/crisis intervention counseling.
• Academic advising experience at the postsecondary level.
• Experience conducting group counseling/support groups.
• Work experience in the development and implementation of treatment plans and knowledge of interpreting DSM-IV TR diagnoses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in alcohol and drug treatment counseling.
• Experience developing and implementing career/personal development programming for the student residence life population.
• Experience using computer career guidance systems.
• Experience in the area of developmental education.
• Experience using the Career Assessment Inventory (CAI).

Skills

• Strong crisis assessment and crisis management skills.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with students, parents/family members, faculty/staff, and the public.
• Demonstrated understanding of ethical and legal issues in mental health practice.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a stressful environment.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in collaboration with interfacing departments.
• Sensitivity to the needs and expectations of students, parents/family members, and faculty/staff.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Functional ability with computers and requisite software packages, including electronic scheduling and record-keeping systems.
• Demonstrated competence, sensitivity, and commitment to diversity while serving the needs of a diverse community.
• Strong problem-solving and listening skills; sound judgment, initiative, and discretion.
• Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Knowledgeable in the area of drug/alcohol abuse prevention and wellness.
• Established track record of collaboration with campus and community partners.

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance.
• Retirement plans.
• Paid time off.
• Educational benefits for employees and dependents at Penn College and Penn State University.

Pay

Salary is commensurate with credentials submitted as applied to the College’s Faculty Salary System. As a point of reference, the salary range for new full-time faculty hired in various disciplines throughout the College for the 2026/27 academic year is $63,747 - $81,694.