What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Mental Health and Pastoral Counseling Programs position at Saint Vincent College?
Description
Position Title: Director of Mental Health and Pastoral Counseling Programs
Reports to: Associate Academic Dean, Saint Vincent Seminary
Supervises: Faculty of the Programs
Primary function: The Saint Vincent Seminary is seeking an experienced and dynamic faculty member to serve as the program director for newly designed 18-credit Certificate and 60-credit Master’s Degree programs in mental health and pastoral counseling. The project is supported by a $1M grant from the Lilly Endowments and a strong commitment of the Seminary.
This leadership position will be instrumental in providing the ongoing development and launch of new program, assuring alignment with the mission and strategic goals of Saint Vincent Seminary and obtaining accreditation for the 60-credit master’s degree. The director will have oversight of program operations, education strategies, field placement sites, collaborating with faculty and support staff, as well as managing budgets and staff, to ensure the delivery of high-quality graduate education and skills training.
The Director will report directly to the Associate Academic Dean and oversee the program’s operation and evaluation as well as assuring compliance with academic standards, curriculum development and implementation, faculty recruitment, and student recruitment. The Director will be responsible for securing and maintaining accreditation (CACREP or MPCAC) for the 60-credit master’s degree.
This is a 12-month position with faculty rank appropriate for qualifications and previous experience. The teaching load will typically be six credits per term.
Required Qualifications
Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in higher education or counseling practice. A minimum of three years of leadership experience in counseling education and administration. Experience in multiple education delivery methods (traditional, hybrid, and online). Previous experience as a Program Chair, Clinical Director, or other upper-level leadership role as well as previous experience with accreditation process preferred.
Essential Duties
Saint Vincent Seminary is an agency of the Saint Vincent College Corporation, which consists of Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary. The College is a Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts and sciences college of about 1400 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students. Located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and the beautiful Laurel highlands, Saint Vincent College offers rich opportunities with an infrastructure that provides the foundation for scholarly success. The Seminary is a Roman Catholic Seminary grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the living tradition of the Church in accord with the Magisterium, and shaped by the Benedictine heritage of liturgical prayer, study, hospitality, and community. As such, the Seminary prepares candidates for the priesthood, about 40 seminarians. The Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF) with an enrollment of 150 parttime students is an extension of Saint Vincent Seminary’s commitment to the formation and education of priests, laity, and religious. Using online and traditional methods for learning and gathering, the IMF gathers this community, grows and supports their faith, and helps guide their response to God’s call by forming their hearts and minds.
This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is provided as a general statement of the nature and duties of the position. The incumbent may be asked to perform other assignments of a similar nature, or related to the effective operation of the department, or as a developmental experience, as assigned from time to time by the supervisor.
To Ensure Full Consideration, a Complete Application Should Be Received By November 28, 2025. Review Of Applications Will Begin On December 1 And Continue Until The Position Is Filled. To Apply, Please Submit The Following
PLEASE NOTE: Background checks will be performed on all new hires. Employment is conditional upon satisfactory background checks and clearances.
About the Organization Saint Vincent College is an educational community rooted in the tradition of the Catholic faith, the heritage of Benedictine monasticism, and the love of values inherent in the liberal approach to life and learning. Our mission is to provide quality undergraduate and graduate education for men and women to enable them to integrate their professional aims with the broader purposes of human life. The programs, activities, and encounters that make up student life at Saint Vincent College encourages the intellectual gifts, professional aptitudes and personal aspirations of students to mature harmoniously.
EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Position Title: Director of Mental Health and Pastoral Counseling Programs
Reports to: Associate Academic Dean, Saint Vincent Seminary
Supervises: Faculty of the Programs
Primary function: The Saint Vincent Seminary is seeking an experienced and dynamic faculty member to serve as the program director for newly designed 18-credit Certificate and 60-credit Master’s Degree programs in mental health and pastoral counseling. The project is supported by a $1M grant from the Lilly Endowments and a strong commitment of the Seminary.
This leadership position will be instrumental in providing the ongoing development and launch of new program, assuring alignment with the mission and strategic goals of Saint Vincent Seminary and obtaining accreditation for the 60-credit master’s degree. The director will have oversight of program operations, education strategies, field placement sites, collaborating with faculty and support staff, as well as managing budgets and staff, to ensure the delivery of high-quality graduate education and skills training.
The Director will report directly to the Associate Academic Dean and oversee the program’s operation and evaluation as well as assuring compliance with academic standards, curriculum development and implementation, faculty recruitment, and student recruitment. The Director will be responsible for securing and maintaining accreditation (CACREP or MPCAC) for the 60-credit master’s degree.
This is a 12-month position with faculty rank appropriate for qualifications and previous experience. The teaching load will typically be six credits per term.
Required Qualifications
- Proven leadership skills with demonstrated ability to manage projects, lead teams, and advise students and faculty.
- Exceptional organizational ability with great attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- A basic understanding of Catholic theology, moral teaching, and pastoral tradition.
- Commitment to integrating professional counseling competence with Christian virtue, spiritual formation, and pastoral care.
Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in higher education or counseling practice. A minimum of three years of leadership experience in counseling education and administration. Experience in multiple education delivery methods (traditional, hybrid, and online). Previous experience as a Program Chair, Clinical Director, or other upper-level leadership role as well as previous experience with accreditation process preferred.
Essential Duties
- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction in the ongoing development and oversight of the mental health and pastoral counseling programs.
- Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty members to ensure high-quality instruction and evidence-based practice.
- Provide leadership within the faculty for ongoing curriculum planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to assure compliance with program accreditation standards and pursue continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversee field placement sites for practicum and internships.
- Guide student recruitment, admission processes, and academic advising.
- Foster partnerships with external organizations, industry partners, and funding agencies for clinical placements and experiential learning opportunities to enhance skills and education initiatives and secure additional resources.
- Collaborate with other departments and institutions within Saint Vincent to facilitate interprofessional education and collaborative research opportunities.
- This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is provided as a general statement of the nature and duties of the position. The incumbent may be asked to perform other assignments of a similar nature, or related to the effective operation of the department, or as a developmental experience, as assigned from time to time by the Associate Academic Dean..
Saint Vincent Seminary is an agency of the Saint Vincent College Corporation, which consists of Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary. The College is a Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts and sciences college of about 1400 undergraduate students and 200 graduate students. Located in Latrobe, Pennsylvania and the beautiful Laurel highlands, Saint Vincent College offers rich opportunities with an infrastructure that provides the foundation for scholarly success. The Seminary is a Roman Catholic Seminary grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the living tradition of the Church in accord with the Magisterium, and shaped by the Benedictine heritage of liturgical prayer, study, hospitality, and community. As such, the Seminary prepares candidates for the priesthood, about 40 seminarians. The Seminary’s Institute for Ministry Formation (IMF) with an enrollment of 150 parttime students is an extension of Saint Vincent Seminary’s commitment to the formation and education of priests, laity, and religious. Using online and traditional methods for learning and gathering, the IMF gathers this community, grows and supports their faith, and helps guide their response to God’s call by forming their hearts and minds.
This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is provided as a general statement of the nature and duties of the position. The incumbent may be asked to perform other assignments of a similar nature, or related to the effective operation of the department, or as a developmental experience, as assigned from time to time by the supervisor.
To Ensure Full Consideration, a Complete Application Should Be Received By November 28, 2025. Review Of Applications Will Begin On December 1 And Continue Until The Position Is Filled. To Apply, Please Submit The Following
- Letter of application which details your interest in the position as well as your abilities and experiences that qualify you for it
- Curriculum Vitae
- Names and contact information of three (3) references
PLEASE NOTE: Background checks will be performed on all new hires. Employment is conditional upon satisfactory background checks and clearances.
About the Organization Saint Vincent College is an educational community rooted in the tradition of the Catholic faith, the heritage of Benedictine monasticism, and the love of values inherent in the liberal approach to life and learning. Our mission is to provide quality undergraduate and graduate education for men and women to enable them to integrate their professional aims with the broader purposes of human life. The programs, activities, and encounters that make up student life at Saint Vincent College encourages the intellectual gifts, professional aptitudes and personal aspirations of students to mature harmoniously.
EOE Statement We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.