Overview and Responsibilities

Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is seeking an Associate Practicum Director for the M.A. in Counseling and Psychological Services program who is eager to contribute to its Lasallian Catholic mission of awakening, nurturing, and empowering learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. We invite individuals to help transform lives through education, inspired by the Catholic Intellectual Tradition’s quest to understand the human experience through faith and reason and its embrace of all who are dedicated to learning from one another through authentic conversations in search of the truth. We are especially interested in and give preference to candidates who demonstrate a vision to create and nurture initiatives that will advance our mission within the scope of their duties and who will foster a culture of dialogue that, with respect for all people, supports the search for meaning and purpose in pursuit of excellence. 

The School of Health and Human Services strives to bring this mission to life through getting to know our students as individuals, embedding service into our courses, and providing real-world experiences to develop students as future health and human services leaders.

We seek an Associate Practicum Director who can ensure program vitality and academic quality by balancing administrative and academic functions that support a rigorous approach to teaching and meeting student learning goals. The person in this role must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

The Associate Practicum Director for MA in Counseling and Psychological Services assists the Practicum Director with managing the required practicum component of the program including:

• Assist Practicum Director and work collaboratively on assigned tasks and responsibilities
• Assist students in obtaining appropriate practicum placements by developing, updating, and distributing educational materials, assisting with updates and maintenance of the program’s database of sites, explaining the practicum process in classes, and assisting students individually.
• Assist with development, revision, and implementation of the practicum preparation course and practicum seminar courses

• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with professionals in the community, practicum site supervisors, practicum instructors, and students.
• Implement the practicum policies and procedures as outlined in the program’s practicum handbook; recommend policy and procedure changes as needed to the Practicum Director. 

• Assist the program with on-going administrative needs as assigned.
• Provide program advising/student support as assigned.
• Contribute to the governance structure of the SGPP by participating in university committees
• Participate in school and university celebrations (commencements, convocations, campus events)

• Collaborate with practicum coordinators of similar programs in other schools for mutual professional benefit
• Continue to develop professionally in the field through workshops, conferences, and contacts with other professionals
• Assist with administration of academic policies as documented in the SGPP Catalog and Student Handbook.

• Support and advance the university’s Lasallian Catholic mission, heritage and charism
• Other duties as assigned to support the program

The ideal candidate will have the following skills and abilities:

• Effective interpersonal communication and conflict management skills.
• Strong organizational skills and multitasking skills.
• Adept in office and educational technology tools.
• Efficiently and effectively prioritize and manage various work demands based on relevance,urgency, and importance.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with students, faculty, colleagues, and site supervisors.
• Competent in clinical supervisory skills.
• Willingness to visit practicum sites.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Masters degree required
• Previous experience in program administration 
• Previous experience in higher education is preferred
• Current licensure as a mental health professional (Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor preferred)
• Competency and experience in providing clinical supervision (BBHT approved supervisor, or eligibility, preferred)

Application Requirements

Apply online at https://www.smumn.edu/about/offices-services/human-resources/employment-opportunities/ and include a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota believes inclusion and human dignity contributes to a robust academic and work environment and is critical to achieving the University's mission in an increasingly diverse society. Individuals with expertise and diverse skills from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The successful candidate must support, respect, and advance the mission of Saint Mary's University as a Lasallian Catholic institution.

Saint Mary’s offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, flexible spending, retirement pension plan, and both undergraduate and graduate tuition remission plans.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.