Alcohol and Drug Counselor

Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Whitman College

Compensation: $49,000 - 53,000 (for 10 months)

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman's vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO) .

WHITMAN COUNSELING CENTER

We work in a beautiful, rural community that is nationally recognized among the finest wine regions with over 130 wineries. Walla Walla is “where wine, culture, and the beauty of the outdoors meet.” As an office, we are truly committed to operating as a team who supports, uplifts and encourages one another to show up as authentically themselves as we work together to become the professional counselors we each want to be. It is expected that we take care of ourselves so that we can be at our best. That might mean taking a walk on the flowering tree-lined campus, visiting the ducks on the pond and stream that runs through our campus, or meditating in our wellness room when we need to center ourselves after working with clients.

POSITION PURPOSE

The Counselor reports directly to the Associate Dean of Health and Wellness and is responsible for providing brief therapy and crisis intervention to a culturally diverse student population. You will coordinate and provide AOD assessment, intervention, recovery programs/services and educational outreach programs focusing on responsible alcohol/drug use and preventative harm reduction. This is a full-time staff position working 10 months out of each year with summers off. Pay and benefits continue through summer months.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Utilizing a brief model, provide comprehensive individual, couples, and/or group counseling services to diverse students with a wide range of concerns including, but not limited to, the following: alcohol and other drug use, adjustment issues, interpersonal relationships, stress and time management, conflict issues, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, gender and sexuality, suicidality, trauma.
• Utilizing a harm reduction model framework, provide counseling to students who may be struggling with substance misuse and addiction.
• Provide psychoeducation on maintaining health and wellness, coping strategies, and self-care.
• Maintain clinical records following legal statutes and ethical codes promptly.
• Provide crisis intervention and coverage including participation in the after-hours on-call rotation as a back-up to Protocall after-hours service.
• Provide crisis consultation to Residence Life, Student Affairs, Public Safety, and other administrative units of the college.
• Provide information and support to facilitate psychiatric hospitalization for students as required and serve as a liaison to Associate Dean of Health & Wellness, providing information regarding the process.
• Provide information and referral to community resources including community counselors for individuals who are ineligible for services at Whitman Counseling Center.
• Consult appropriately with colleagues and supervisors.
• Provide evidenced-based educational training and consultation to Whitman faculty, staff, student leaders, and other campus groups regarding the prevention and identification of mental health concerns.
• Establish group therapy, outreach, and programming with attention to inclusion of racial/ethnic and other populations that have historically been underserved.
• Collaborate with Student Health staff in the necessary sharing of information to ensure the safety and well-being of students.
• Represent the Counseling center at campus events as needed.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Associate Dean of Health & Wellness.
  

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Proficiency in the use of motivational interviewing and other evidenced based practices in the treatment of substance misuse.
• Active Listening- Ability to actively attend to, convey, and understand the comments and questions of others.
• Relationship Building/Interpersonal Skills- Ability to effectively build relationships with clients and co-workers and get along well with a variety of personalities and individuals.
• Analytical skills/Judgement- Ability to use thinking and reasoning to solve problems and make sound decisions based on evidence.
• Coaching and Development- Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skills.
• Diversity Oriented- Commitment to valuing a variety of different experiences, encouraging input and collaboration from campus stakeholders, including being mindful of experiences related, but not limited to, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, LGBTQIA+, or job type.
• Presentation Skills- Ability to effectively present information publicly.
• Excellent written skills and experience with client notes and appropriate legal and ethical content.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of the professional counseling team within the administrative structure of the Division of Student Affairs.
• Ability to maintain stable performance and emotional control when faced with opposition, pressure, or alternative approaches from others and/or during stressful conditions.
• Accountability- Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her/their actions.
• Ability to communicate and deliver quality service in a positive, compassionate, and professional manner with respect for the dignity and identities of students, staff, faculty, visitors, and other divisions in the college.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master's Degree, EdD, PhD, or PsyD, in counseling, psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy.
• A minimum of 12 months of experience providing alcohol and other drug assessments and interventions including the application of the harm reduction model and motivational interviewing.
• Independently licensed in the state of Washington or license eligible to be licensed within approximately 2 years of hire.
• Experience and training in social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and issues/concerns related to diversity. A history of effectively providing services to diverse populations including people of color, LGBTQIA+ populations, First Generation college students, and different physical and health abilities.
• Experience providing mental health services to people 17 to 25 years of age.
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Chemical Dependency Professional Certification
• Experience leading group therapy
• Experience with the treatment of clients that manifest emotional dysregulation
  
  

HIRING SALARY RANGE

Successful applicants can expect to start between $49,000 and $51,000 per year. This is a 10 month position with summers off.

BENEFITS

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: vacation and sick accrual based on hours worked.

Tuition Remission - Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for one Whitman course per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Learn more about benefits eligibility here.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

At Whitman College, we take seriously the safety of our community. Whitman is a fully vaccinated campus, requiring all employees and students to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations or have an approved exemption. More information can be found here.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

May 2023 or sooner

For full application instructions and position description, visit https://whitman.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=261&source=bamboohr


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