Staff Counselor

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. As a 2025 Top Ten Public College, classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. Nearly 93% of our graduates land competitive jobs or are accepted by some of the best grad schools in the country. We engage in the most nationally relevant conversations by hosting some of the most celebrated thinkers and speakers on our campus in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, an area known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our hometown of North Adams is brimming with creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world.


Job Description:

General Statement of Duties: Provides individual and group counseling, development of treatment plans, crisis intervention, and consultation/outreach as well as psychological assessments, intakes, and appropriate referrals. Promote and support the philosophy, policies, and procedures for collegiate counseling and holistic wellness that incorporate equity, anti-oppression work, and social justice concepts and principles that support student wellbeing. Complete required clinical documentation in a timely manner. Assist in coordinating care and related client follow-up with medical professionals, off campus mental health professionals, family, and other support networks. Consult with supervisor and staff on a regular basis. May perform other related tasks that are a part of the department's operation, including developing and delivering campus communications or presentations, outreach to campus constituencies, trainings, consultations with faculty and staff, and other duties as assigned. This is a grant funded position through June 2026 with opportunity for renewal.

Supervision Received: Reports directly to the Associate Dean for Student Wellness & Chief Wellness Officer

Detailed Statement of Duties and Responsibilities:

Counseling:

• Provide counseling services to MCLA students, including individual, couples and group counseling, crisis intervention, and case management.
• Develop and provide educational outreach programs for residence halls, campus organizations, and departments, teams, classes, or other campus groups.
• Provide consultation and referral services to the entire campus community, including faculty, staff, students, and family members or other support networks.
• Consult with staff psychiatrist in conjunction with prescribing and monitoring psychotropic medication for psychotherapy clients.
• Consult with families and student support networks, physicians, faculty, academic dean, residence life staff, off-campus counseling services, other campus offices and students with appropriate authorization to provide quality care to students.
• Collaborate with other staff members in group supervision and in developing policies and procedures for Counseling Services.
• Pursue opportunities for professional development including relevant college student mental health trends and topics.
• Conduct community-based intervention programming as requested by the campus community, including orientation sessions for new students and families, informal support spaces, psychoeducational workshop presentations, and emergency support services.
• Participate in ongoing active educational outreach programs.
• May serves as a liaison to other campus departments or academic programs.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation of client records in accordance with professional standards, state, and federal laws.
• Adhere to relevant ethical and legal standards including FERPA, HIPAA, professional governance bodies, and state boards.
• Some evening and weekend hours should be expected, especially involving crisis intervention rotation, expanded student clinical hours, and outreach activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

• Demonstrate a sensitivity to, and understanding of, the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of MCLA's student body.
• Collaborate with the diversity, equity, and inclusion professionals on training and education and employ best practices to support the mental wellbeing of traditionally minoritized populations.
• Participate in ongoing clinical staff training within a social justice framework.
• Participate in assessment related to the state strategic plan for racial equity.

Requirements:

Qualifications:

• Hold a completed master's degree in social work, counseling, or related field from an accredited program or doctoral level degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in clinical or counseling psychology from an APA accredited program.
• Currently licensed or eligible to be licensed as an independent mental health provider (e.g., psychologist, licensed clinical professional counselor, or licensed independent clinical social worker) by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (i.e., at time of application, must have completed all licensure requirements including successfully passing any examinations and completing any clinical supervision hours required for licensure by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts). Massachusetts license must be obtained no later than 6 months after hire date to maintain employment.
• One to three years of experience in counseling, including formulation and implementation of counseling and treatment plans with young adults.
• Clinical skills compatible with a brief treatment model and experience in assessment, individual and group counseling, and crisis intervention.
• Commitment to creating a just and inclusive community, intercultural competency, and enthusiasm for working in an institution committed to access and social justice.
• Experience working with diverse populations and at-risk individuals.
• Ability to manage multiple initiatives, programs, and responsibilities while ensuring clinical excellence while providing direct services.
• Innovative leadership practices and exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communication.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of constituencies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including oral, written, listening, and presentation skills.
• Use sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive mental health issues with confidentiality and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in a college counseling center or clinical experience with a college aged population is preferred.
• Knowledge of college student development and mental health issues specific to college students.
• Knowledge of higher education principles, practices, and procedures.
• Experience working with a diverse population in a fast-paced, stimulating environment.
• Interest in collaborating and working effectively with professional staff, faculty, students, and administrative staff, both on and off campus.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, grant-funded, benefited position in the APA bargaining unit. Annual salary is $51,000.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources at brenda.stokes@mcla.edu

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status, veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Liz Frost
Interim Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Titleix@mcla.edu

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
OCR.Boston@ed.gov


Application Instructions:

Applicants should electronically submit an application by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.