VETERANS MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

The Mental Health Counseling Center (MHCC) at San Diego City College (SDCC) has been awarded a two-year grant to work collaboratively with the Veterans Resource Center to enhance mental health support for student veterans. The Veterans Mental Health Counselor position is a dual role, with emphasis on psycho-education, outreach, early intervention/prevention and community linkage along with a direct clinical role. The Veteran Mental Health Counselor will provide individual, couples, and family therapy, case management, resource referrals, workshops, group therapy, and outreach to student veterans. Additionally, the counselor will organize and support student veteran peer mentors, collaborating with the Mental Health Peer Educator Coordinator to guide and mentor these dedicated peers.

This part-time position (15-20 hours per week for 40 weeks per year) will have a primary focus on outreach, training, and direct support for student veterans. Key responsibilities include facilitating workshops, developing resources, facilitating relationships with community partners and providing counseling services. The counselor will also lead training initiatives to educate the campus community about veterans' mental health needs and promote a supportive, veteran-friendly campus culture through collaboration with the Mental Health Peer Educator Program. The role is funded for the grant term, from January 2025 to December 2026, with a weekly commitment of 15-20 hours during the academic semesters (Spring, Fall, and an 8-week Summer session). The counselor must be available during regular school hours to engage effectively with students and campus services.

Major Responsibilities

• Establish and Expand Partnerships: Improve and expand campus supports and resources through the development of partnerships with mental health providers, VA hospitals, county veterans service offices, and local/regional CSU and UC campus Veterans Resource Centers.
• Outreach and Support for Student Veterans: Provide direct mental health support through individual counseling, group therapy, case management, and resource development. Lead and collaborate on outreach efforts to increase engagement with student veterans.
• Veterans Ally Trainings: Lead the development and delivery of training programs aimed at educating faculty, staff, and students on veterans' mental health, challenges, and best practices for supporting veterans on campus. This includes training campus stakeholders to become Veterans Allies and promoting a supportive environment for student veterans.
• Oversight and Support of Veteran Peers: Collaborate with the Mental Health Peer Educator Coordinator to hire, train, and supervise student veterans selected to serve as Mental Health Peer Educators. These roles will empower student veterans to support one another in their transition to civilian life and receive training to become suicide prevention gatekeepers and stigma reduction ambassadors.
• Program Management and Reporting: Regularly report to the Grant or Program Coordinator on program progress and outcomes.
• Campus-Wide Collaboration: Work closely with campus partners to ensure that veterans' mental health and wellness is a visible priority on campus. Engage in cross-departmental efforts to integrate veteran-specific support services and resources, and participate in training and meetings related to veterans' needs and mental health.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Degrees must be from regionally accredited institutions.
Master's in counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, guidance counseling, educational counseling, social work, career development, marriage and family therapy or marriage, family and child counseling,
OR the equivalent
(NOTE: A bachelor's degree in one of the listed degrees and a license as a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) is an alternative qualification for this discipline.)

Desired Qualifications:

• Licensed or Licensed-eligible in the State of California (MSW, MFT, PCC, or Psychologist) with experience in counseling, case management, or similar roles, preferably with a focus on veterans' mental health
• Experience in outreach, training, and program development, especially working with diverse or underserved populations, preference may be given to experience working in veteran or veteran affiliated positions
• Clinical and/or Personal Experience working with veterans, including experience addressing issues such as PTSD, TBI, substance abuse, and mood disorders
• Ability to Build Rapport with veteran students in both one-on-one and group settings, fostering a supportive and trusting environment
• Knowledge of Local Resources for veterans in San Diego, and the ability to connect students with relevant services
• Expertise in Clinical Assessment, including the ability to assess suicidal ideation, lethality, and risk to self or others
• Crisis Intervention Skills, with demonstrated ability to manage high-risk situations effectively
• Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills, with the ability to engage and educate a wide range of campus stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students
• Culturally Competent Care for veterans and diverse populations, ensuring mental health services are accessible and appropriate for all
• Strong Organizational and Administrative Skills, with the ability to meet grant deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Experience with Program Oversight, including managing peer-led initiatives and providing guidance to student veterans in the Mental Health Peer Educator Program
• Proficient with Technology, including the use of clinical software and tools for case management, data collection, and report writing
• Experience with Data Collection and Reporting, including compiling and submitting regular reports as required by funding sources
• Ability to Forge Partnerships with community partners and create linkages to care for veteran students
• Professional Liability Insurance required