"Director of Mental Health and Pastoral Counseling Programs"

Job Details

What We Do:

Saint Vincent Seminary is committed to building the educational and professional skills necessary for future pastoral leaders to minister all people. With a newly acquired $1M grant from the Lilly Foundation, Saint Vincent Seminary is recruiting for a new Program Director for Mental Health and Pastoral Care to join the effort to respond to the growing mental health needs of society—issues that may inhibit healthy relationships and individual well-being. The Director will construct a Mental Health and Pastoral Counseling degree program expanding upon the Seminary’s multiple graduate level ministerial certificates and degrees. This funding leverages an already strong commitment from the Saint Vincent Seminary, community support, and faculty and staff from the Seminary and College, for the creation of a new, accredited 60-credit master’s degree with an integrative certificate program in Pastoral Care.

This leadership position will be instrumental in providing the ongoing development for the launch of the new program, assuring alignment with the mission and strategic goals of Saint Vincent Seminary. The Director will have oversight of program operations, education strategies, and field placement sites. The Director must be able to collaborate with faculty and support staff, manage budgets, build community support, recruit faculty, supervise staff, and ensure the delivery of high-quality graduate education and ministerial skills training.

The Director will report directly to the Associate Academic Dean and be responsible for securing and maintaining accreditation, compliance with academic standards, curriculum development and implementation, faculty recruitment, and student recruitment.

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.

Education:

PhD in Clinical Psychology, EdD in Counselor Education or doctorate in related field required. LPC desired.

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:

1. Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction in the ongoing development and oversight of the mental health and pastoral counseling programs.
2. Recruit, mentor, and evaluate faculty members to ensure high-quality instruction and evidence-based practice.
3. Provide leadership within the faculty for ongoing curriculum planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
4. Collaborate with faculty and staff to assure compliance with program accreditation standards and pursue continuous improvement initiatives.
5. Oversee field placement sites for practicum and internships.
6. Guide student recruitment, admission processes, and academic advising.
7. 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.
8. Collaborate with other departments and institutions within Saint Vincent to facilitate interprofessional education and collaborative research opportunities.
9. 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.

Special challenges and environment:

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.