POSITION DESCRIPTION

• |
• Full Time

DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES

Bridgewater College invites applicants for a Director of Counseling Services. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Student Life, the Director of Counseling Services provides oversight and management for all fundamental counseling and psychological services at the College and is charged with ensuring the scope and delivery of services are aligned with student needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Though not exhaustive, the essential responsibilities of the Director include the following:

• Assuming primary responsibility for the management of permanent staff, trainees, and clients who seek mental health services
• Working in close partnership with campus partners to provide holistic, supportive services, including CARE Team
• Enhancing a burgeoning training program by maintaining and building upon relationships with internal and external graduate psychology programs
• Development and implementation of various outreach topics and presentations relevant to college mental health
• Management of a 24/7 crisis intervention system
• Maintaining a small clinical caseload
• Oversight for budget management, including implementation of technology as necessary
• Provision of clinical supervision and/or training to unlicensed counseling staff and trainees as needed
• Collaboration with community partners and 3rd party vendors as needed to provide optimal mental health services to students
• Active participation in the College’s strategic plan by identifying and assessing goals and objectives and the overall effectiveness of programs and services.

Additionally, considered an essential partner to the developmental goals of Student Life, the Director will foster campus engagement with mental health resources on campus, and provide a positive and engaging, public-facing focus on the importance of prevention and student wellbeing.

QUALIFICATIONS: This position requires a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, Counseling or Rehabilitation, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related behavioral sciences field from an accredited institution.  A doctoral degree is preferred. Successful candidates must be independently licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia and have a minimum of five years of relevant experience providing direct service in a clinical setting, preferably in an institution of higher education. The successful candidate must be available to manage crises and related needs on evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.

Evidence of successful administrative or program coordination experience is highly desirable, as is the ability to perform administrative and clinical duties in a fast-paced environment. Additional desired areas of experience and expertise include:

• Working with traditionally-aged college student populations
• Impeccable supervisory skills
• Comfort with a brief, solution-focused, psychotherapeutic approach
• Familiarity working with BIPOC communities
• Fluency in working with area hospitals to facilitate mental health case management
• Proficient in crisis intervention and management
• Aptitude for community programming

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.

GENERAL INFORMATION: Bridgewater College was founded in 1880 as the first coeducational college in Virginia. Bridgewater offers bachelor’s degrees in approximately 60 majors and minors, along with four graduate programs, pre-professional programs such as medicine and law, and teacher licensure. The College is a member of NCAA Division III and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, with 23 intercollegiate athletic teams. The vibrant residential campus is located in the town of Bridgewater, Virginia, near the city of Harrisonburg in the center of the Shenandoah Valley. An excellent school system, healthy business environment, numerous arts and cultural events, one of the state's lowest crime rates, and a variety of outdoor opportunities and historic attractions draw many to the region. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Email humanresources@bridgewater.edu  

APPLY: Please complete the online application at www.bridgewater.edu/careers, supplying a CV and cover letter demonstrating your interest and ability, along with names and contact information of three references. Please direct queries to Human Resources (humanresources@bridgewater.edu.) 

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. 

COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY: Bridgewater College, an equal opportunity provider and employer, is a welcoming and vibrant community committed to supporting a diverse workforce and actively seeks applications from women, minorities, and other persons from traditionally underrepresented groups. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.

Non-Discrimination Notice: https://www.bridgewater.edu/legal/non-discrimination-notice/

ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT AND ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY REPORT: The Bridgewater College Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report summarizes policies on campus security and personal safety, crime prevention, fire safety, and crime reporting, and includes crime and fire statistics for the past three years:Annual Security Report

To request a printed copy, please call 540-828-5761

ABOUT BRIDGEWATER COLLEGE

Bridgewater College is a private liberal-arts college in Bridgewater, Virginia. Established in 1880, Bridgewater College admitted both men and women from the time of its founding and was the first four-year liberal arts college in Virginia to do so. Approximately 1,800 students are enrolled.