Concordia University Chicago Looking for Director of Counseling Services Full Time

Concordia University Chicago (CUC) invites applications for the Director of Counseling Services. This position reports directly to the Dean of Students/Vice President for Student Success and is located in River Forest, IL.

The Director of Counseling Services is a licensed counselor, social worker, or psychologist with current registration in the state of Illinois who provides leadership, coordination, strategic planning, and day-to-day administration of a student-centered wellness department. The Director serves as a champion for the student experience working to advance mental health services and medical resources that support student success. This position is responsible for providing solution-focused and/or short-term individual psychotherapy for students, supportive counseling, assessments and crisis intervention. The Director also provides consultation to students, faculty, staff and parents, as well as designs and facilitates educational outreach activities. Additionally, this individual will provide weekly clinical supervision and consultation to 1-2 master’s-level counseling interns or licensed-eligible part-time counselors.

The Director of Counseling Services is an enthusiastic supporter of Lutheran higher education who exhibits Christ-centered servant leadership and a dedication to student success. This individual is responsible for ensuring that the Concordia University Chicago mission, vision, and core values are integrated into the daily functions of the Counseling Center Services. This includes, but is not limited to, offering faith-based resources and support to students who are seeking the integration of faith into the counseling process. The Director also maintains a close working relationship with the University ministry team to help bridge services with spiritual care.

Responsibilities/Duties:

• Provides mental health assessments, crisis intervention, short-term therapy, support groups, case management, and referral services for students
• Ensures that the Concordia University Chicago mission, vision, and core values are consistently integrated into the staff members, interns, and daily functions of the CUC Counseling Center
• Provides leadership, coordination, strategic planning, and day-to-day administration of a student-centered wellness department
• Develops policies, procedures, and systems as needed to reflect the changing needs of students and provide comprehensive mental health crisis intervention services
• Collaborates with the Dean of Students office to establish annual goals and priorities that ensure appropriate alignment with student success and campus strategic planning and initiatives
• Advises university administration, staff, and faculty on student mental health and developmental issues, working collaboratively with students, administrators and off-campus stakeholders
• Provides hour-long, weekly clinical supervision to part-time clinical staff members and/or 1-2 master’s-level counseling interns, in addition to consultation as needed
• Provides leadership for and works collaboratively with Student Success staff to provide programming and support services that help to educate, aid in prevention, and create awareness on mental and physical health topics relevant to all student populations
• Oversees outreach prevention and education including, but not limited to, campus crisis trainings and residence life training
• Educates and promotes the CUC Counseling Center and Health Services to parents, students, faculty, and staff through hosting programs, events, and workshops
• Analyzes clinical utilization, new initiatives, and future goals for the Counseling Center through generating quarterly reports
• Manages crisis situations arising on campus, including work weekends and/or evening hours as necessary, in response to crises in collaboration with residence life staff and administrators
• Prepares, manages, and monitors the Counseling Center budget and monthly usage reports
• Candidates must support and be committed to the mission and identity of Concordia University Chicago, a university of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS)

Skill Sets:

• Enthusiastic supporter of Lutheran higher education and Concordia University Chicago
• Demonstrated expertise in suicide assessment and intervention
• Knowledge and experience in providing services to those affected by relationship violence, sexual assault/abuse, eating disorder behavior, self-injurious behavior, anxiety, and depression
• Knowledge of current campus mental health issues, protocols and best practices
• Demonstrated record of ethical practice
• Proven ability to work independently or in a team environment with all levels within an organization consistently
• Demonstrated high level of energy and self-motivation
• Effective communication skills including written, verbal, and public speaking
• Demonstrated ability in organizational, time management, problem solving, and interpersonal skills
• Strong computer and related technology experience, including voicemail software, Zoom, psychology-based apps, and MS Office suite products (i.e. Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
• Experience with Titanium software preferred

Minimum Experience Required:

• A minimum of 5 years of post-graduate clinical work experience in mental health is required
• Clinical experience in a college counseling setting and/or work with young adult population, particularly within higher education, is preferred

Education Requirements:

• A Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Clinical Social Work, or related field is required
• Independent licensure to practice in the State of Illinois is required

Compensation and Benefits:

Starting range is dependent upon individual qualifications and experience. Concordia University Chicago benefit options include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Disability and Survivor Plan (Basic Life Insurance)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Tuition benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)

Application Information:

Interested individuals should include a cover letter, resume and references with their online application.

Concordia does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, disability, sex or age. As an institution of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, however, and to the extent allowed by law, Concordia University reserves the right to give preference in employment based upon religious affiliation.

Concordia University Chicago does not generally sponsor for employment visas except for positions that oversee, teach or support our international programs.

About Concordia University Chicago:

Concordia University Chicago is a liberal arts-based Christian university founded in the Lutheran tradition. Through its College of Theology, Arts & Humanities, College of Business, College of Education, and College of Health, Science & Technology, Concordia-Chicago offers more than 160 areas of study in small classes taught by professors who are passionate about teaching and student success. All undergraduate and graduate degrees are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Concordia University Chicago has been recognized as a College of Distinction since 2010, and is consistently ranked among the Best Regional Universities-Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. For more than a decade, combined undergraduate and graduate enrollment has exceeded 5,000 students. Concordia University Chicago is located in River Forest, 10 miles west of downtown Chicago. Learn more about our commitment to higher education, rooted in the Gospel, at CUChicago.edu.

Steadfast in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, Concordia University Chicago promotes academic rigor in its liberal arts and professional programs; grounds students in objective truth, integrity, and excellence; and practices faithfulness to the Confessional teachings of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod, as it forms students for vocations in church, family, and the world.