Iowa State University strives to be the most student-centered public research university in the nation. It is a place where adventurous minds are encouraged to accomplish amazing things. As a major international university ranked among the top public universities by U.S. News & World Report and a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), Iowa State offers a student experience rich in social and academic diversity. Nearly 35,000 students choose from 100 majors, study with world-class scholars, and hone their leadership skills in more than 850 student organizations. Students from all 50 states and more than 125 countries converge on one of the nation’s most beautiful campuses. Big 12 sports and a tradition of cultural and popular performances make campus life fun and memorable. Iowa State is a land-grant university, has set enrollment records the past nine years, and is the largest university in the state of Iowa. Iowa State is located in Ames, a community of 60,000 situated approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, and was recently voted one of the best college towns in the nation and among the top 10 best places to live in America.
The Position
The Director of Student Counseling Services (SCS) will report to the Assistant Vice President for Student Health & Wellness within the Division of Student Affairs. The Director serves as a member of the Health & Wellness leadership team and works collaboratively and cooperatively with the directors and deans within the Division of Student Affairs to serve students’ needs. The Director will provide strategic, clinical, fiscal, and administrative vision and leadership regarding the provision of counseling services on campus, including assessment, crisis intervention, short-term individual therapy, referral services, outreach programming and student support groups for a variety of different topics. The Director will oversee and direct all services provided by SCS and will be responsible for ensuring that services meet the needs of a diverse student body and that SCS is in strict compliance with Iowa law, HIPAA law, and American Psychological Association professional ethics.
The Director serves as one of the key liaisons to University departments, administrators, faculty, and staff on student mental health issues, policies and practices; provides supervision, professional development, and evaluation of professional and support staff; manages the operational budget and setting of priorities for resource utilization; directs clinical and consultative services, including crisis intervention and outreach; and leads SCS in the strategic planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and continual improvement of comprehensive behavioral health initiatives that incorporate multicultural diversity, inclusivity and social justice concepts and principles to support overall student wellness. This position is responsible for the management of a budget of approximately $2.1 million and a team of 19 professional staff, two support staff, four interns, and ten graduate students.
The successful candidate will be an experienced, strategic, and interpersonally strong leader with an excellent record of progressive operational, administrative, and management experience; possess an in-depth understanding of the psychological challenges and mental health needs of a globally diverse university student body; have an understanding of a systems perspective with regard to strategic outreach and providing holistic and integrated health and counseling services to students; and have demonstrated expertise in crisis intervention and management. Communication skills are critical and the successful candidate must have a good understanding of cross-cultural communications and possess strong writing skills and the ability to represent the University at the highest level.
Qualifications
Minimum required qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and eight years of related experience; OR a master’s degree and six years of related experience; OR a PhD or other professional degree and three years of related experience. Preferred qualifications include a PhD, PsyD, LISW, LMHC, or LMFT, as well as experience working in a university counseling center which has an APA-accredited doctoral internship program; working with diverse client populations; leading a university counseling center; supervising professional psychologists and mental health clinicians; and strong crisis management skills.
License Requirement: applicants must currently hold independent licensure as a PhD Psychologist, PsyD, LISW, LMHC, or LMFT in any state or Canada and will be required to obtain Iowa licensure within six months of their start date and must maintain that licensure throughout the duration of employment.
Application and Nomination
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Heather J. Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.
Visit the Iowa State University website at www.iastate.edu
Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected Veteran status and will not be discriminated against.