Director of Counseling Services

McNeese State University invites qualified applicants for the position of Director of Counseling Services. This is a full-time, 12–month, unclassified position. The appointment is available to begin as early as December 1, 2025 and no later than January 5, 2026.

Position Number: U99942

SALARY: $68,000 - $75,000 (based on education, qualifications, and experience)

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND MATERIALS: For the application process, applicants MUST complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:

• Letter of Application
• Resume
• Three References (Include: name, contact number, and email address)
• Unofficial Transcripts (for all degrees earned)
• Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed.
  
  

ALL JOB OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND RECEIPT OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) IF APPLICABLE.

TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY, click on the “APPLY” button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. *Required application materials WILL NOT be accepted after the deadline, if applicable. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*

Questions Regarding This Position Can Be Made Attention To

Dr. Kedrick Nicholas, Senior Vice President at knicholas@mcneese.edu or (337) 475-5610

Questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to the Recruitment HR Analyst:

Kim Dronett at kdronett@mcneese.edu or (337) 475-5413

The Director of Counseling Services is responsible for the following:

Estimated 65% of Effort

The professional actively practices mental healthcare duties in the Counseling Services department which is located in the Student Health Center. This role is essential to helping students achieve and maintain quality mental health and wellness so they can successfully fulfill their academic goals.

Estimated 25% of Effort

The professional provides supervision of Counseling Services staff, management of the department’s operational affairs, and all duties associated.

Estimated 10% of Effort

The professional programmatically serves as a liaison between the Counseling Services department, and other departments on campus, and external partners by providing knowledge and expertise that contribute to the health and safety of the student body.

More Descriptively, The Professional Will

• Provide leadership, vision, and oversight of the Counseling Services Department
• Ensure quality of care through directly supervising, guiding, and coaching mental health therapists (including provisionally licensed professional counselors), interns, and student workers
• Ensure that all aspects of the Counseling Services department adhere to established standards, laws, and regulations, including HIPAA and mental health counseling practice standards
• Ensure confidential health information is properly maintained in compliance with HIPPA and FERPA.
• Maintain an active client caseload (individuals, groups, couples, families) appropriate to administrative workload and client demand
• When necessary, develop mental health treatment plans for students
• Maintain competencies and licensure through external and self-directed professional development
• Maintain relationships with external mental healthcare professionals who provide elevated professional support for needs such as psychiatric assessments, medication management, etc.
• Develop, implement and assess programs and initiatives pertaining to student mental health wellness, education and awareness
• Provide student referrals to off-campus medical services when necessary
• Provide internal professional development activities for the Counseling Services staff
• Build cohesion and effective working relationships between employees in the Counseling Services department
• Plan and implement educational programs to foster awareness and student success related to mental health wellness for students
• Partner with other departments to host outreach programs
• Collaborate with peer professionals throughout the University of Louisiana System with respect to programs of system-or state-wide scope
• Collaborate with internal and external groups in coordination of programs designed to engage students on a broad array of topics such as depression, suicide prevention and sexual assault awareness
• Consult appropriately with internal and external personnel concerning mental health issues
• Develop methodologies to communicate programs, events and resources to the campus community.
• Develop annual objectives and benchmarks for the Counseling Services department which supports the university’s mission and Division of Student Affairs Strategic Plan
• Network with counterparts in higher education to remain abreast of recent trends and best practices that can support Counseling Services
• Assist in the reporting of data in compliance with inquiries from state and federal healthcare authorities.
• Assist in development and management of the departmental budget
• Seek for and develop partnerships with community agencies, grant-funded initiatives, and other third-party support to enhance mental health wellness efforts at McNeese
• Remain abreast of local, state, and federal regulations related to public health and medical care compliance
• Collaborate with contracted housing personnel to ensure training and planning with on­site personnel for first response mental health crisis intervention
• Maintain 24/7 urgent response capability and ensure mental health response to emergency notifications within thirty minutes
• Represent the Counseling Services department at internal and external campus outreach programs and events
• Serve on University committees and supervise others as assigned
• Serve on the University's Crisis Response Team and related emergency crisis management teams
• Perform other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or higher authority
  
  

Required

• Master’s degree or higher in the field of mental health (counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychology, etc.)
• Active LPC license within 90 days of employment
• Evidence of a professional history of strong leadership capabilities through the supervision of mature professionals, program development, and assessment
• Ability to quickly and efficiently resolve problems, dissolve conflicts, and develop creative solutions when barriers are present
• Ability to evaluate and treat as a licensed provider
• At least seven years of related professional experience
• Previous experience working in clinical or private practice setting
• Significant budget management experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Knowledge of college, state and federal standards and requirements governing health services
• Knowledge regarding public health agencies and local health care resources
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends for special events with prior notice
• Understanding of using computer software needed to complete job duties such as a medical records system, Microsoft Office 365, Banner (or other) student information system, case management software, and a campus portal platform
• Evidence of an energetic, student-centered approach to completion of work duties and program development
• Ability to physically respond to the mental health needs of the campus within 30 minutes of a crisis situation
  
  

Preferred

• Full licensure including supervisory authority (LPC-S) upon employment
• Doctorate-level degree from an accredited institution
• Ten years or more of related experience
• Experience speaking to small and large groups
• Experience formulating program assessments and generating data/action reports based on findings
• Previous supervision experience of a large group of individuals or multiple work units
• Previous experience coordinating programs and activities for small and large groups
  
  

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law, applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001, et seq, and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38, which provides for drug testing of employees, appointees, prospective employees, and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.

McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.

Persons needing reasonable accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator, Krisshunn Youngblood, Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at (337) 475-5428 or kyoungblood@mcneese.edu.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31-“Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees”-requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position, whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.

Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.www.ece.org.