The Mental Health Counselor develops, promotes, and facilitates mental health and social service activities that support students in managing barriers that will impede their educational success. This position blends collaboration and consultation with colleagues on and off campus, as well as other support resources with non-clinical and clinical student case management, short-term counseling, program coordination, systems development, and leadership in addressing factors that contribute to student attrition and improve student success.
This position will primarily serve the Williamson Campus with occasional travel to other Columbia State campuses and counties in the service area.
Essential Functions:
- Provide collaborative, layered student advocacy in support of the overall retention and student success initiatives of the College and assist students in foundational mental, emotional, and relational health in support of student academic pursuits.
- Assist in providing colleagues and supervisors with a comprehensive Mental Health Program for the student body.
- Serve as Counselor Representative for the college Behavioral Intervention Team.
- Advocate for students with mental health, behavioral issues, or other situations.
- Provide direct service and support to students, faculty, and staff, in terms of handling social service and counseling referrals, conducting need evaluations, student crisis intervention and support or resolving student issues.
- Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in the community to meet social service and counseling needs.
- Develop, maintain, and strategically use a case management database to track students, conduct data reporting and analysis, and make strategic referrals to community partners.
- Assis in the Development, maintenance, and expansion (as needed) a resource directory of local social service agencies and counseling providers for the Columbia State service area.
- Provide short-term professional counseling services for students, including assessment, limited individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and triage, and case coordination and referrals.
- Be active in community networking and work closely and cooperatively with other community organizations and college personnel for program development, growth, and implementation.
- Ensure that social service and counseling resources are utilized at assigned Columbia State locations.
- Coordinate with Disability Resource Center staff, other internal departments, and external agencies as it relates to student advocacy, counseling, and social services support.
- Assist with maintaining a counseling and social services webpage as it pertains to the Columbia State student population and their needs.
- In collaboration with supervisor, coordinate outreach and consultation efforts and provide educational programming, presentations, and consultation to the Columbia State community on college social service and counseling issues.
- Support development, oversight of programs and services that result in enrollment, progression, retention and graduation growth for the service area.
Supplemental Functions:
- Assist department in supervision and training of interns and student workers.
- Serve as TBR Liaison for services.
- Serve on college committees.
- Participate in student recruitment and orientation events as needed.
- Participate in departmental budgeting and strategic planning.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Education, Training and Experience Required:
- Master’s degree or higher in counseling or related area
- Active Tennessee License to provide counseling (LCSW, LPC, LPC MHSP, LMFT, or Licensed Psychologist).
- Three years of experience in providing social services or counseling.
- Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated successful experience in counseling or social services and who have certification as a licensed clinical social worker, licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor, or licensed mental health service provider in Tennessee.
- Individuals who are completing full licensure requirements under a temporary counseling license may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Work Characteristics:
- Knowledge of student development theory and programming
- Knowledge of basic student success counseling and training techniques
- Adhere to legal, ethical, and policy standards
- Maintain and secure confidential information.
- Ability to maintain a comprehensive student success website.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize projects and tasks.
- Proficiency in using student information systems and other productivity processes and programs related to enrollment services; BANNER experience preferred.
- Ability to handle complex and sensitive issues effectively.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to collect, organize, and effectively disseminate data.
- Ability to take a proactive approach to outreach, program implementation, and planning.
- Ability to develop collaborative relationships across campus to achieve department and institutional goals.
Working Conditions:
- Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday. Must be able to work a flexible schedule.
- Usual office environment working conditions.
- May require travel to the nine-county service area and other areas for meetings and other job-related activities.
- Visual and hand movements related to computer usage.
Hiring Salary Range: $58,660- $67,730
This position is based at the Williamson, TN Campus.
About Columbia State Community College:
As Tennessee’s first community college (established in 1966), Columbia State is committed to increasing access and enhancing diversity at all five of our campuses. Columbia State is a member of the Tennessee Board of Regents. Columbia State is known for excellence both inside and outside the classroom.
Columbia State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:
- Vacation and Sick Leave
- 14 paid holidays
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance
- Retirement plans
- Optional 401K and 403B Deferred Compensation Plans
- Educational benefits for the employee and their spouse and dependents
Columbia State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, disability, age, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulations and by Tennessee Board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies:
Executive Director of Human Resources
humanresources@columbiastate.edu
1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401
931-540-2501