Director of Health and Counseling Services

Title: Director of Health and Counseling Services

Date: May 2026

Reports To: Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the vice president for student life and enrollment, the director of health and counseling services anticipates, evaluates, and responds to the changing individual and campus-wide emotional, psychological, and social needs of students. The director fosters personal growth and awareness of self and others through assessment, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and student wellness programming. The director is responsible for all related duties and responsibilities as requested by the vice president for student life and enrollment. The director supervises the Student Wellness Center (SWC) personnel, programs, and is responsible for the administrative duties of the Student Wellness Center.

Duties and Responsibilities

Counseling

·        Identifies and assesses students' social, emotional, and psychological needs.

·        Plans and implements need-based interventions.

·        Provides individual and group counseling.

·        Makes appropriate referrals to outside agencies, physicians, and psychiatrists.

·        Reviews and evaluates counseling services.

·        Acts as liaison to faculty and staff.

·        Maintains effective documentation for client records.

·        Coordinates testing and referrals for psychological and educational needs.

·        Provides mediation as needed.

·        Coordinates referrals and recommendations for student accessibility services.

·        Provides crisis assessment and intervention.

·        Maintains external relations with community resources.

·        Coordinates student aftercare.

·        Assists with student and family orientation sessions.

·        Completes annual performance evaluation.

·        Participates in Step Into Cottey classes.

·        Provides distance/virtual counseling if needed.

Administrative

·        Supervises Student Wellness Center personnel.

·        Prepares annual revision and dissemination of campus alcohol and drug program/policy.

·        Prepares and disseminates the Biennial Review every two years.

·        Prepares and disseminates the International Association of Counseling Services mental health standards annually.

·        Provides faculty and staff training.

·        Coordinates and supervises Peer Empowerment Program (PEP).

·        Conducts formal and informal assessment of campus needs.

·        Maintains ongoing records of assessment and progress for accreditation procedures.

·        Reviews and updates policies/procedures to comply with legal and ethical guidelines.

·        Budgets and supervises distribution of SWC funds.

·        Prepares quarterly reports for counseling office activities.

·        Reviews health services quarterly reports.

·        Updates strategic plan as needed.

·        Reviews and finalizes counseling on-call and health provider contracts.

·        Coordinates MachB testing for Assessment Day when applicable.

·        Completes annual performance evaluations for SWC personnel.

·        Prepares annual SWC budget.

·        Participates in meetings and committees as needed.

·        Monitors social media accounts.

·        Provides necessary updates to the annual safety, security, and fire report annually.

·        Supervises the identification and implementation of health services policies and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

·        Thorough knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of psychological counseling and therapy, including the understanding of developmental needs of young adults and positive techniques for addressing their varied practical and emotional needs. 

·        Thorough knowledge of counseling with respect to cultural differences.

·        Thorough knowledge of personality development, family dynamics, group behavior, learning theory, psychological interventions, psychopathology, and diagnostic criteria of mental disorders (DSM-IV).

·        Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing alcohol and other drug abuse.

·        Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws governing reporting of child abuse.

·        Knowledge of state and federal laws governing the practice of psychology/social work/counseling. 

·        Thorough knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines.

·        Knowledge of research and assessment methods for assessing needs, collecting prevalence data, and evaluating effectiveness.

·        Knowledge of and adherence to ethical practices and principles of the National Association of Social Work, American Psychological Association, and Missouri Psychological Association or related professional organization, commensurate with degree area.

·        Skills to use a personal computer and various software packages (e.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel).

·        Ability to effectively use time and resources to evaluate, implement, and accomplish program objectives and operations.

·        Ability to independently analyze and solve a variety of difficult situations.

·        Ability to work independently as well as participate in a team setting. 

·        Effective verbal and written skills. 

·        Ability to provide an inclusive, safe, and healthy environment for all students.

·        Experience and knowledge for supervisory and administrative duties.

Credentials and Experience

·        Possession of a Master's Degree in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work from an accredited college.

·        Possession of a Missouri licensure appropriate to the professional area.

·        Possesses three years of professional clinical or counseling experience in a clinical or counseling setting with direct contact experience. 

·        Preference given to candidates with administrative and supervisory experience.

Special Requirements

·        Possession or ability to obtain a Class E Driver's License.

·        Willing to respond to after-hours emergencies if necessary. 

·        Willing to perform duties not specifically stated in the above description as requested by the vice president for student life and enrollment.

·        Nights or weekends as stated in duties and responsibilities if needed