Director- Counseling Center

Position Summary 

The Director of the Counseling Center provides leadership and oversight of the Counseling Center (CC) operations, including strategic planning, budget management, program assessment, marketing, and personnel management. The Director of the CC is an active member of the Student Affairs Team that works closes with the Health and Well-Being Collaborative to provide integrated support for students at Fort Lewis College, a Native American Serving Institution. This position provides individual and/or group counseling, outreach to the campus community, responds to crises cases and makes referrals to both college and community resources as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications 

• Master’s Degree in Counseling, Social Work, or mental health-related field. 
• Currently licensed or eligible to be licensed in Colorado by May 2021. 
• Minimum of five years post master’s experience in mental health counseling. 

• Experience providing supervision and consultation to mental health professionals. 
• Good oral and written communication and computer skills are required. 
• Strong working knowledge of psychological theories and techniques, along with a demonstrated ability to engage in culturally responsive counseling 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Terminal degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a mental health-related field from an accredited University.  

• Experience in crisis evaluation and acute mental health issues. 
• Demonstrated interest and experience in substance abuse counseling. 
• Experience working with college-age students and in a College/University setting 
• Demonstrated understanding of, and support for, key concepts of diversity, equity and inclusion and an ability to support others in creating diverse, equitable and inclusive environments 
• Sensitivity to and understanding of the varied perspectives that faculty, staff and students bring to their work, including academic perspectives and experiences deriving from race, socio-economic status, ethnicity, ability, gender, religion, sexuality and other intersectional identities 

• A strong respect for diverse viewpoints and populations   
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with and respond to multiple constituencies both at the college and in the community. 
• Organizational and computer skills to manage timely and appropriate documentation. 
• Intermediate level of proficiency using Microsoft Office 365 and electronic medical records 
• Fluent in Spanish or a Native American language. 

Major Responsibilities 

• Directly supervise an Assistant Director, 5 Counselors, a Professional Advocate, an Office Manager and a post-graduate training program. 
• Assume primary responsibility for the Counseling Center budget. 
• Maintain primary responsibility for policy decisions. Stay up to date on relevant state mental health policies and update the Policy and Procedures Guide as needed. 
• Remain informed of legal and ethical issues that impact the provision and documentation of clinical services (i.e., HIPAA, FERPA). 

• Assume primary responsibility for assessing student needs and managing Counseling Center services to meet those evolving needs 
• Consult and collaborate with college administrators, faculty, staff, family members and students concerning mental health issues and client needs. 
• Work with the Training Coordinator to provide supervision/consultation to the post-graduate training program. 
• Participate as a member of the larger Fort Lewis College Community as well as the larger mental health community.  
• Provide individual and/or group counseling and assessment and respond to crises cases as needed. 

• Take primary responsibility for after-hours emergency consultations and work with CC team to ensure coverage. 
• Make referrals to both college and community professionals as needed. 
• In cases of campus emergencies, participate in emergency planning and crisis intervention. 
• Serve as the CC primary authority in cases of mandatory reporting requirements and crisis interventions. 
• Provide services in a culturally responsive manner. 

• Through workshops, professional journals, and professional organizations, keep updated on the standards of practice and treatment modalities for collegiate Counseling Centers. 
• Other duties as assigned 

Work Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers, light traffic). 

• Ability to work in a confined area and sit at a computer for an extended period. 
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer or telephone  
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work 
• Light to moderate lifting is required 

Compensation  

Salary $80,000 - $85,000 per year, plus a comprehensive benefits package. Anticipated start date is April 1, 2021. 

Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position 

• Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.  “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?” 

• Resume 
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references 

Submit materials as one PDF file via email to: 

CounselingDirector-Search@fortlewis.edu 

The successful candidate will work well with persons of varied sexual orientation, gender identity, racial, ethnic, cultural, socioeconomic backgrounds, and with individuals who are differently-abled. 

Application materials received by January 10, 2021,  will receive full consideration. 

Position will remain open until filled. 

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts,  

and pass a background check. 

The College and the Community  

Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education. Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds. Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity  

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. 

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE. 

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination? 

Office of the Title 9 Coordinator 

Molly Wieser 

230 Skyhawk Station 

1000 Rim Drive 

Durango, Colorado 81301 

(970) 247-7241 wieser_m@fortlewis.edu 

Other discrimination questions?  

Office of the Equal Opportunity Coordinator 

David Pirrone 

192 Education Business Hall 

1000 Rim Drive 

Durango, Colorado 81301 

(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu 

  * Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. 

ADAA Accommodations  

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.