Mental Health Counselor job in University Park

Mental Health Counselor

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State New Kensington is seeking a Mental Health Counselor to join our Student Affairs team. Responsibilities include providing triage services and intake evaluations of students; short-term individual and group therapy; crisis evaluation and intervention; outreach and/or consultation services; health education and/or promotion. This position includes the maintenance of clinical records; provision of referrals to on and off-campus services; and a strong commitment to the development of a welcoming and inclusive campus. To achieve that, this role will advocate for students in the area’s hospitalization, medical emergencies or long-term illness, mental health concerns, chronic conditions, death of an immediate family member, food insecurity, housing insecurity, natural disasters, academic distress, and/or unexpected events or challenges. They will co-chair our student advocacy CARE team and serve as a liaison to University Park Care, Concern, and Advocacy Office. In addition to their case management responsibilities, they will serve as the Student Affairs disability services representative that will oversee relevant student disability related issues. Engage in interactive process with students inquiring about/requesting accommodations and review provided documentation to determine if or what reasonable accommodations would/can be provided.

Health and Wellness in higher education emphasizes the creation of supportive environments for students. This involves a portfolio of programs that optimizes student learning and engagement in healthy living, the development of strong community values, and positive lifestyle choices. Health promotion interventions enhance student awareness, strengthen their ability to understand and respond to health challenges, support their efforts to adopt healthier behaviors, and create environments that keep students well and may help them flourish. Counselor involvement in health promotion interventions is critical.

Key Functions:

Provide culturally informed, time-limited clinical services (individual and group counseling).
Provide triage and crisis intervention.
Coordinate disability services on campus in conjunction with Western Regional Disability Services representative.
Provide case management for students who are in need.
Coordinate student centered health and wellness programming and outreach.
Provide programming to support students seeking disability services.
Provide consultation and outreach to faculty, staff, families, student organizations, and other campus offices.
Co-manage the Lion Food Pantry.
Participate in administrative activities such as co-chairing the CARE team as well as serving on various campus and university system committees.
This job will be filled as a level 3 and typically requires a Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling or related discipline or higher, or an equivalent combination of education and experience for a level 3. Licensed or license eligible Social Worker or equivalent.

Preference will be given to candidates with particular interest and experience in one or more of the following areas: college counseling, college health promotion/education, eating disorders, sexual assault recovery, campus community outreach, expertise in working with diverse student groups both international and domestic. This is a 10-month, appointment funded position with an excellent possibility of re-funding.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.