Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director will oversee counseling services and mental health programming for the College. This includes evaluating current policies and procedures, as well as creating and modifying policies and practices as appropriate, to support a holistic approach to meeting the mental health and developmental needs of ArtCenter students. The incumbent serves as the lead administrator for campus counseling services, will promote health and wellness through prevention and educational programming, and offer individual counseling to students. This position also supports the College’s efforts to promote individual and community health, aligned with the strategic goals of the institution to enhance student success.

Qualifications

• A master’s in clinical or counseling psychology and a licensure in the State of California are required
• At least 5–7 years post-licensure relevant work experience
• Minimum 3 years of experience directing or managing a counseling center or mental health program preferably in a college or university setting
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing a department, including performance management
• Experience managing student crises and conducting risk assessments
• Training and experience with trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and equity-centered practices
• Experience facilitating health promotion programming and delivering presentations on mental health and wellness topics
• Self-starter who can recognize the needs of a specialized and unique student population
• Demonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment into workplace practices within ArtCenter’s diverse communities
• Knowledge and adherence to professional standards related to APA and AUCCCD
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, detail-oriented, highly organized, able to balance priorities, takes initiative, reliable and resourceful
• Strong analytical skills, computer proficiency and demonstrated use of computer applications, database maintenance and web-based technology
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• A Doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology; licensure in the State of California is required
• Experience working in a small liberal arts or specialized sector of higher education as a director, administrator, or supervisory role of a psychological counseling or wellness center
• Experience with evaluating treatment plans and prescribed medications to enhance support for college student success
• Experience conducting research and writing assessment reports that interpret data for multiple audiences

Essential Functions

Leadership and Administration — 20%

• Provide strategic, clinical, administrative vision and leadership regarding the counseling services and mental health programming for the College
• Develop, implement, and evaluate policies, procedures, and best practices aligned with ethical standards
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and professional standards (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA, licensure regulations)
• Lead marketing efforts to increase campus knowledge of mental health resources
• Cultivate and manage contracts for off-campus providers that students can be referred to for consultations, assessments, evaluations, medication evaluation, and treatment recommendations
• Maintain confidential counseling records
• Regularly review data of mental health counseling usage and procedures and make recommendations to campus administration
• Promote health and wellness in the ArtCenter student community with regular assessment of mental health needs, and with special attention paid to specific developmental needs of a culturally diverse campus
• Advise campus leadership on mental health trends and student needs

Programming — 40%

• Provide leadership and assistance in the development, implementation and evaluation of workshops, seminars and other intervention strategies designed to enhance the mental health and well-being of the campus community and the learning atmosphere of the campus environment
• Work collaboratively with the CSE staff and other departments to provide the best cocurricular programs to support our students
• Collaborate with CSE and campus partners to integrate mental wellness education into orientation, advising, student life, and academic divisions
• Design, plan and implement educational outreach programs and services including, but not limited to, annual Depression, Eating Disorders, Alcohol and Drug Screening programs
• Plan presentations on counseling services and wellness programs for the new student programs
• Create relationships with local community health professionals and organizations, psychiatrists, clinical and counseling psychology training programs, and other appropriate resources in the local Pasadena and greater Los Angeles communities
• Provide professional consultation support and resources to faculty/staff regarding counseling services and classroom management techniques appropriate for students in crisis and difficult/disruptive students
• Administer group-counseling sessions on topics of importance and relevance to ArtCenter students

Crisis Intervention and Emergency Response — 35%

• Manage after-hour and weekend calls for students in crisis
• Provide crisis consultation to the Dean of Students and other staff as appropriate
• Respond to acute student mental health crises that may from time to time involve hospitalization of the student
• Serve as a coordinator of mental health resources to address campus crises and emergencies that may cause trauma to members of a diverse campus community
• Participate in College infrastructure to assist and intervene with students of concern (including attending meetings and working with the campus CARE Team and BIT, campus-wide representative behavioral intervention teams)

Other Duties — 5%

• Serve on educational or institutional committees as appropriate
• Maintain membership and active involvement in applicable professional organizations, attend annual conferences
• Provide direct individual counseling sessions to students as needed
• Other duties as assigned