Assistant Professor, Psychology & Counseling. Program Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

Assistant Professor, Psychology and Counseling

Program Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program

POSITION PURPOSE:

Nichols College is seeking an Assistant Professor in Psychology and Counseling and Program Director for its newly approved Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program.  This is a three-year renewable appointment with the opportunity to transfer to the tenure track in the third year.

The Program Director is a member of the full-time core faculty (rank commensurate with experience) who is granted release time to serve an administrative appointment related to managing the daily coordination of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program on campus. Responsibilities include but are not limited to classroom instruction, day-to-day program operations, assisting students toward successful term-by-term progression, managing the curriculum, advising students, hiring and evaluating faculty, creating semester schedules, providing budget recommendations, and ensuring alignment with CACREP standards for accreditation and Nichols College’s Mission are upheld in all areas of the program.

The Program Director engages in professional associations, businesses, and the local community as necessary to promote the visibility and stature of the program. The Program Director reports to the Dean of the Graduate School.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:
 

• Serves as campus leader of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, responding to all academic matters and expenditures related to the program.
• Performs instructional duties as assigned and outlined in the Faculty Handbook.
• Selects and develops a Program Advisory Council (PAC) that meets at least twice per year.
• Participates in faculty development each year as required.
• Selects, trains, develops, manages, and leads faculty according to the guidelines provided by the Dean of the Graduate School and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the College and NECHE.
• Collects data for Key Performance Indicators, submits student evaluation forms for all students, and participates in formal evaluation of students as indicated in the Graduate Student Handbook.
• Partners with the campus leadership (Other Directors, and/or Dean) to generate a strategic enrollment plan for the program.
• In partnership with campus leadership, develops and supports a plan to generate a prospective student pool sufficient to sustain and grow the program, consistent with the strategic enrollment plan.
• Collaborates with academic counselors, admissions, financial aid, and student services personnel to assist with enrolling qualified students.
• Effectively administers and grows the program(s), including curriculum development, program assessment, student registration/advisement, and community and campus relations.
• Supports and executes Nichols’ initiatives designed to achieve student completion rates as outlined in the College’s strategic planning.
• Collaborates with the Registrar, Dean of the Graduate School, and fellow Directors concerning scheduling, sharing faculty, curriculum, and other issues to support student learning and facilitate efficient resource use.
• Notifies the Dean of the Graduate School and Curriculum Committee of any expected or unexpected substantive change within the program and of any change in institutional or programmatic accreditation status or legal authority to provide postsecondary education.
• Facilitates the submission of required programmatic reports and documentation, including graduation rates, program assessment, performance on state licensing or certification examinations, and employment rates.
• Provides leadership to core and non-core faculty in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; completes yearly evaluations of core faculty members; and completes yearly classroom observations for core and non-core faculty members.
• Supports College-level initiatives and directives to maintain compliance with accreditation and state regulatory criteria and adhere to all College and campus policies and procedures. Partner with the College Dean to oversee accreditation activities.
• Participates in program-related Campus events as indicated, including New Student Orientation, graduation, etc.
• Responds to all program-related inquiries from prospective students, university administration, accrediting bodies, and other community constituents.
• Other responsibilities as determined by the Dean of the Graduate School and/or Provost.

REQUIREMENTS:
 

• Earned doctoral degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology or Counselor Education and Supervision, preferably from a MPCAC or CACREP-accredited program, or a related doctoral degree with prior experience as a full-time faculty member in a counselor education program for a minimum of one full academic year prior July 1, 2013.
• A minimum of 1-2 years’ experience as an instructor of record in master’s and/or doctorate-level face-to-face, on-ground clinical mental health counseling instruction in a post-secondary or college institution.
• A minimum of two years prior management experience in higher education or in another organization within the program director’s discipline.
• Membership in a professional association tied to the counseling profession.
• Current state licensing/certification required (i.e., LMHC).
• Shows evidence of sustained professional development and renewal activities related to counseling and evidence of professional service and advocacy in counseling.
• Certification as a qualified clinical supervisor (ACS or CPCS) preferred for clinical training instruction and supervision.  
• Other requirements specific to the discipline.

ENVIRONMENT:
The individual must be able to travel out of the local area with an occasional overnight stay to participate in a variety of conferences and meetings. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The employee is frequently required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to lift up to 10 pounds.

Salary : $65,000 - $70,000