"Director of Counseling Services"

Director of Counseling Services

Bridgewater College seeks a Director of Counseling Services to lead and advance mental health support for its diverse campus community. Rooted in the values of a liberal arts education, the Director should be a compassionate, visible, and accessible resource who fosters emotional wellness, resilience, and personal growth among students, while also supporting the broader campus through outreach, education, and consultation.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Life, the Director oversees the College’s Counseling Center and ensures the delivery of high-quality, culturally competent, and developmentally appropriate services. The Director should demonstrate a deep understanding of student development and be prepared to engage positively with individuals from all backgrounds and identities, including those who may be navigating mental health concerns, trauma, or crisis.

As a leader within Student Life, the Director will actively contribute to the goals of the Student Life Curriculum, promoting critical thinking, identity development, cultural appreciation, community engagement, and well-being through a range of initiatives.

The Director serves as a key mental health expert and advisor to faculty, staff, and administrators, while mentoring and guiding students as they progress through the challenges and transitions of college life. In addition to managing clinical services, supervising professional staff, and providing direct counseling, the Director will play an essential role in crisis response, student care coordination, and the development of proactive wellness programming. The Director is expected to collaborate closely with other campus partners to ensure that mental health and well-being are integrated into the fabric of campus life.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Though not a comprehensive list, the main responsibilities of the position include:

Oversight of Counseling Services:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for Counseling Services, overseeing day-to-day operations and ensuring the delivery of high-quality mental health services for students.
• Provide clinical supervision and mentorship to pre-licensed and licensed mental health professionals.
• Maintain and build upon relationships with internal and external graduate psychology programs.
• Maintain a clinical caseload.
• Manage a 24/7 crisis intervention system.

Community Building and Engagement:

• Deliver training and continued growth opportunities for students.
• Develop and implement various outreach topics and presentations relevant to college mental health for the campus community.
• Collaborate with campus offices and organizations in an effort to integrate well-being into campus life.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Provide oversight for budget management, including the implementation of technology as necessary.
• Function in an administrative capacity for student evaluations, assessments and other consultative meetings as necessary.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with ethical and legal standards.
• Serve as a member of the CARE Team and contribute to key wellness ecosystem programs.
• Serve as a member of the Threat Assessment Team (TAT).

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

While a comprehensive list of qualifications can be found at Job Description, the successful candidate will be an accomplished, creative, and inclusive leader who is compassionate, intellectually curious, and possesses the following:

Education and Experience:

• Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling or Rehabilitation, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or related behavioral sciences field from an accredited institution. A doctoral degree is preferred.
• Independent licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Clinical supervisory license granted by the Virginia Board of Counseling.
• At least 5 years of experience providing direct service in a clinical setting, preferably in an institution of higher education.
• Comfort with a brief, solution-focused, psychotherapeutic approach.
• Ability to assess clinical risk, conduct triage and provide crisis intervention with sound judgment.
• Evidence of successful administrative or program coordination experience.
• Experience in coordination with outside providers and hospitals during psychiatric emergencies.

Skills and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with diverse individuals and teams.
• Demonstrated success in creative problem-solving and a high level of productivity.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, to meet student needs.
• Commitment to a student-centered approach and adaptability to changing institutional priorities.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of ethics, confidentiality laws, and risk management in a college setting.

Pay is competitive, and salary is commensurate with experience. This full-time position offers a full benefits package, including paid tuition at the College for eligible dependents.

Bridgewater College was founded in 1880 as a coeducational liberal arts college to serve the local community. Located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, just minutes outside of Harrisonburg and within driving distance of Charlottesville, Washington D.C., and Richmond, Bridgewater is home to approximately 1,400 full-time students from 26 states and 19 countries. Bridgewater students study across 60 majors and minors, in addition to four graduate programs and 10 pre-professional programs. Bridgewater College is an NCAA DIII school with approximately 40 percent of its students participating in intercollegiate athletics on 23 teams. To learn more about Bridgewater College, visit: bridgewater.edu

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