Title: Director of Counseling Services (10 or 12-month contract)
Department/Location: Office of Student Life, Principia College
Organizational Relationships: Reports to Dean of Students
Summary: The Principia College Director of Counseling Services supports the mental health of a diverse population of 350 students, 20% of whom are International. A successful candidate will provide individual and group short-term counseling, professional evaluation, referrals for longer-term therapy, crisis consultation and crisis intervention to college students on problems related to stress, eating disorders, substance abuse, interpersonal concerns, and other mental health issues. The Director of Counseling Services will also provide mental health training and awareness education as requested to faculty, staff, and students. An inclusion, cross-cultural, and mindfulness-based perspective is expected, as is the ability to engage with students of faith. Additional crisis support hours may be requested if needed and will be paid as overtime.
Who We Are At our award-winning pre-K-12 school in St. Louis, Missouri, and top-ranked Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, Principia faculty and staff make up a close-knit community of educators, coaches, and professionals taking a distinct approach to education-blending academic excellence with Christian Science-based character education. Principia's team of over 500 employees supports not only Principia School and Principia College, but also a worldwide network of Alumni & Friends.
At Principia College, our globally-focused curriculum honors diverse perspectives and develops creative changemakers who use their academic skills for good in service to themselves, their communities, and the world. In-depth study meets real-world experience through study abroad programs, internships, capstone projects, and a robust slate of student activities, including a world-renowned mediation team, top-ranked solar car team, national champion rugby club, and the nation's oldest student-run public affairs conference.
Principia employees are part of an engaging academic community preparing students to be tomorrow's leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. We strive to create a collaborative and inclusive environment where everyone feels they belong and are valued.
Work Performed - Essential Duties :- Provide short-term individual and group counseling in-person.
- Manage referral processes for longer-term therapy needs.
- Provide support and guidance during campus crises as part of the Student Life team.
- Design and implement outreach, awareness, and prevention programming to students, faculty, staff and the broader campus community.
- Help disseminate mental health and suicide prevention information with a strong focus on self-care strategies and techniques.
Required Qualifications:- Supportive of Principia's mission, vision, and values as articulated here
- Applicants must be licensed in Illinois with a master's (e.g., LCSW, LCPC, or MSW) or doctoral degree (Ph.D./Psy.D.). A minimum of 2 years of experience as a counselor or therapist is required.
- Experience working with college students or young adults is preferred.
- Cultural competence, including the ability and/or experience to work with students of color, LGBTQIA+ students, students from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds, and international students from a range of countries and cultures is expected.
- May need to be available on off days to assist during a crisis.
The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed, but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.
Equal Opportunity Principia, a mission-driven institution, believes every person has the right to an equitable and respectful educational environment and workplace. Principia does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender (identity or expression), sexual orientation, family status, disability, age, or military or veteran status.
In hiring, admissions, and related decisions, Principia-as an institution with a religious mission-gives preference, where appropriate, to Christian Scientists.