Job No. 540808 Director of Counseling Center

at  California State University

Job no: 540808
Work type: Management (MPP)
Location: Bakersfield
Categories: MPP, Administrative, At-Will, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Administrator II

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or related field and five (5) years of post-licensure experience in a counseling center or similar, including at least two (2) years of supervisory experience. Experience should include Brief Therapy and motivational interviewing, academic coaching, cross cultural awareness, crisis management and consultation, sexual and gender issues, and addiction and substance abuse counseling.
LICENSES – Licensed in the State of California as a Psychologist, Marriage and Family Thereapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Professional Counselor.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES (SKA’S) –

• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Knowledge of relevant ethical and legal parameters of professional practice.
• Awareness of electronic recordkeeping desirable.
• Able to work independently with little supervision, be proactive, and take initiative.
• In-depth knowledge of counseling theories, practices, and techniques relevant to a diverse university student population, including developmental and psychological issues.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire, manage, and develop a team of counseling professionals and administrative staff, along with excellent conflict resolution abilities.
• Proficiency in crisis intervention strategies, including assessment, immediate response, and post-crisis follow-up, with the ability to respond promptly and effectively to crises.
• Comprehensive understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion principles, and the ability to work effectively with a diverse student population.
• Proficiency in financial management, including budgeting, accounting, and managing multiple funding sources, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic goals.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate counseling and wellness programs based on best practices, with strong analytical skills for assessing program effectiveness and making data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
• Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere in the University with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with those from various cultural backgrounds.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Thorough knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to interpret, communicate and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills and competence with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, on-line systems, Internet as well as online calendaring and email.
• Working knowledge of or ability to quickly learn University infrastructure.
• Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
• Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience working in a higher education institution or with college aged students.
• Counseling, prevention, and outreach services to diverse populations
• Demonstrated skills in an institutional/educational environment possessing a customer-oriented and service-centered
• attitude.
  PHYSICAL DEMANDS: LIGHT WORK – involves mainly sitting, up to 25% standing or walking; lifting medium weight objects limited to 25 pounds.

Counseling Center Leadership & Management

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Counseling Center, ensuring high-quality, confidential counseling services are provided.
• Develop and enforce standards and protocols for counseling sessions, ensuring adherence to ethical and professional guidelines.
• Ensure Counseling Center follows state and federal regulations, including FERPA and respective state board licensing requirements.
• Evaluate and assess the effectiveness of counseling programs and services, making data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.
• Review and update Counseling Center’s policy manual annually, incorporating latest research and trends in mental health care.
• Design and implement innovative programs and workshops that address a wide range of student mental health issues, including stress management, substance abuse, relationship issues, and crisis intervention.
• Ensure Counseling Center services are inclusive and accessible to a diverse student population, promoting equity and inclusion.
• Supervise and evaluate assigned staff and faculty. Recruit, hire, train, and support faculty, staff, and students within the Counseling Center.
• Create and monitor equitable counseling caseloads. Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and support professional development opportunities.
• Develop and distribute annual reports highlighting key data points, data on the center, and if the goals and objectives were met for the previous year while setting goals for the new academic year.

Direct Counseling

• Provide short-term individual and group counseling for a diverse student population regarding issues that affect the educational, vocational, developmental, and psychological well-being of students in the university community.
• Manage and respond to the 24-hour crisis team and follow up with students as necessary.
• Serve as the primary contact for high-risk and crisis situations with student’s mental health concerns both on campus and in the Counseling Center including serving as the after-hours contact.
• Recognize and lead groups benefitting students unique and changing needs.
• Provide clinical services during breaks to students enrolled in courses.
• Provide direct referrals for campus and community resources as necessary.

Fiscal Oversight

• Manage, monitor, and oversee the allocation of various funding sources (stateside, grant funding, student fees) for the Counseling Center in coordination with the AVP, ensuring compliance with university polices and regulations.
• Ensure good stewardship of each fund and oversee that spending is in alignment with mission critical services.
• Provide annual budget projections based on current spending and plan for needs of the center.
• Review and approve all expenditures for the center operations.
• Produce quarterly reports on spending and projections.

Campus Collaboration & Outreach

• Serve as the mental health representative on multiple campus committees advancing the importance of mental health.
• Support the Division of Student Affairs and the overall development of the division.
• Serve as an active member on the Care Team and BART for students of concern/threat concerns.
• Participate in system wide Counseling Center Directors meetings.
• Develop counseling services annual assessments and quality improvement plans with an emphasis on student development, student satisfaction, and student retention.
• Work closely with campus departments on overall well-being initiatives.
• Advise campus leadership on matters related to mental health services and interventions.
• Serve as the mental health consultant to the university community.
• Educate faculty and staff on the barriers students face with emotions, personal problems, and the educational environment.