Director of Student Wellness

Director of Student Wellness Date Posted: 4/15/2024 Deadline: 4/25/2024 Description: LACKAWANNA COLLEGE HAS BEEN VOTED ONE OF THE "BEST PLACES TO WORK IN PA" FOR 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Lackawanna College is a private, accredited college serving the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Our main campus is located in downtown Scranton, and our footprint includes satellite centers in Covington Twp., Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda and Tunkhannock Our mission is to provide a quality education to all persons who seek to improve their lives and better the communities in which they live. We provide our students with a direct path to a bachelor's degree, associate degree, or one of many different professional certifications. Additionally, our Continuing Education department helps put the people of Northeastern Pennsylvania back to work with modern career skills. Lackawanna is also one of the most cost-efficient regional higher education institutions. If our mission inspires you, and you are willing to go the extra mile to help our students succeed, please feel free to apply for this or future employment opportunities for which you meet the minimum qualifications. We particularly encourage applications from historically underrepresented groups including women and minorities. Please know that only the candidates who meet the minimum qualifications can be considered, and only those selected for interviews will be contacted by a college representative. No phone calls, please. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBJECTIVES: The Director of Student Wellness Programs (SWP) provides overall leadership in the provision of student wellness services to Lackawanna College with the ultimate goal of promoting academic success and personal growth for the student population. This will include, but is not limited to: coordinating and promoting all student wellness efforts; working collaboratively with outside health and wellness providers; partnering with colleagues on wellness initiatives; developing training, curriculum and assessments for a range of health-related topics; advising wellness-focused student organizations and overseeing all substance-related programming on campus. They also serve as a key figure in student crisis intervention, acting as the main resource for suicide prevention, alcohol and other drug education and coordination of student mental health support services. This position supervises all employees of the department and is responsible for the performance management and hiring of the employees within that department. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1. Develops, implements, directs and evaluates Student Wellness programs, activities and services. 2. Manage the budget to ensure appropriate spending in coordination with Student Engagement office. 3. Directs and supervises the Student Wellness staff in executing production tasks according to a documented schedule that meets or exceeds customer expectations. 4. Participate in community-based wellness and substance abuse prevention initiatives to facilitate the liaison between college and community. 5. Develop community awareness through active participation as SWP liaison to appropriate community groups, organizations and institutions. 6. Develop and implement SWP educational wellness programming and substance abuse prevention programming. 7. Provide support, referral and assessment to students regarding substance abuse issues and other behavioral or mental health issues. 8. Develop and oversee a student wellness referral process within the college. 9. Identifies and negotiates partnership agreements with community providers regarding mental health and wellness. 10. Work with faculty to provide and incorporate substance abuse /prevention and SWP curriculum resource assistance. 11. Participate in the review and development of policy related to student engagement. 12. Assist Public Safety staff in assessment of crisis situations and facilitate transition to appropriate agency/facility in a timely manner. 13. Develop systems for data collection, analysis, and continuous improvements as they relate to the wellness program. 14. Maintains confidentiality of all materials related to counseling with students and other personnel related files. 15. Works with the department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to discuss, develop and promote DEI initiatives. 16. Oversee the information posted to College media sites (for example student portal, virtual student union, Starfish). 17. Lead the departmental or unit level planning process in alignment with the Institutional Strategic Plan, being sure to meaningfully engage staff members in each step of the process, and facilitate the assignment of ownership for each activity related to the departmental plans and ensure that tasks are carried out as expected. 18. Collaborate with other departmental heads to ensure that overlapping or related initiatives are coordinated. 19. Participate in the Institutional Strategic Planning process as requested. 20. Assess achievement of departmental plans annually, formally report results to supervisor, and participate in the college wide review of departmental plans as requested. 21. Any additional responsibilities as assigned. KEY COMPETENCIES: 1. Strong knowledge of program management and subject matter. 2. Knowledge and ability to stay up-to-date with current mental health issues, wellness, and advocacy among college students. 3. Ability to advise on mental health and wellness issues using evidence-based recommendations and ethical decision making. 4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 5. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills. 6. Must have the ability to handle confidential situations with compassion, sensitivity and diplomacy, acting in an objective and impartial manner at all times. 7. Ability to understand the needs of the College and to work collaboratively with students, faculty and staff. 8. Ability to think, reason, and make sound judgments on how responsibilities are completed in compliance with college standards and guidelines. 9. Possess detail-oriented skills and ability to meet deadlines while engaging in self-initiated problem-solving activities. 10. Ability to work both independently, as well as effectively with faculty, staff, students, community agencies, and student organizations. 11. Sensitivity to the impact of diversity on the student body and the institutional climate. 12. Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment with students, faculty and staff. EDUCATION: Master's Degree in Counseling, Social Work or Psychology required. Pennsylvania Licensed Social Worker, professional counselor, or other licensed professional in the mental health field is preferred. Must maintain professional qualification through continuing education, training and development. EXPERIENCE: Demonstrated success in providing counseling, training/development, and instruction. Experienced in providing one-on-one or group counseling. Understanding of emerging issues in higher education, particularly in wellness and health promotion. Prior experience which demonstrates an understanding of the issues developing from residence life and sensitivity to the unique characteristics of that population. Proven experience in program development, implementation and supervision. Experience in providing services related to health and wellness needs of a diverse student population. Prior supervisory experience preferred. Ability to work as flexible schedule as necessary Applications will only be accepted via online method OR email. If selecting the email option, interested candidates can email resumes to . Deadline for applications, April 24th, 2024 . No phone calls, please. In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Lackawanna College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran's status, or genetic information in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment. Lackawanna College is an accredited, private, non-profit educational institution providing opportunities for career and personal development within selected associates degree, certificate and continuing education program.