Description
The Division of Student Affairs at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) seeks a proven leader to serve as Director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services (CCPS). The Division of Student Affairs advances the university’s educational mission by providing resources and experiences outside the classroom that prepare students for lifelong success.
The Director of the Center for Counseling and Psychological Services reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Health and Well-being and provides leadership for the development and implementation of comprehensive mental health services that are responsive to the needs of a diverse student population and the broader campus community.
About Wash U
Under the leadership of Chancellor Andrew Martin (2019–present), Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) is a private R1 research university located in the St. Louis metropolitan area of Missouri. Founded in 1853 by a group of civic leaders and named for George Washington, the university spans 355 acres across its Danforth and Medical campuses. WashU comprises nine schools and offers more than 150 undergraduate, 80 master’s and professional, and 50 doctoral degree programs. Its nine schools serve nearly 17,000 undergraduate and graduate/professional students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries.
About Student Affairs
Under the leadership of Vice Chancellor Anna Gonzalez, the Division of Student Affairs spearheads the WashU student experience through intentional co-curricular learning opportunities that complement students’ academic curriculum. The division comprises
more than 20 departments, each led by highly skilled and trained professionals whose expertise enhances the overall student experience.
CCPS is organizationally situated within the Health and Well-Being area of Student Affairs, alongside Disability Resources, WashU Cares, Student Health Services, Health Promotion and Wellness, and the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention Center. Collectively, these programs and services offer a comprehensive model of education, prevention, treatment, and recovery. Our goal is to empower undergraduate and graduate students to reach their full potential and to distinguish WashU as a place where students graduate even healthier than when they arrived.
About CCPS
CCPS consists of an interdisciplinary team of psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, and licensed counselors, with nearly 19 full-time equivalent permanent professional staff. CCPS strives to be a comprehensive counseling center that fosters students’ personal, emotional, and academic well-being through high-quality therapeutic services, consultation, and outreach and prevention programs. CCPS offers short-term, time-limited counseling services designed to facilitate adjustment, improve functioning, and resolve concerns that affect academic success. In addition, the center has recently launched a predoctoral internship in psychology and is actively working toward accreditation by the American Psychological Association, as well as offering an Advanced Therapy Practicum for graduate students in psychology.
Each year, CCPS provides clinical services to approximately 12-15 percent of the WashU student body and reaches many additional students and community members through consultation, outreach, and other educational programming. Building on a strong foundation of accomplishments, the center is poised for continued growth, and the new Director will play a key role in advancing CCPS to the next stage of its evolution.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Develop and implement coherent philosophy, policies, and procedures, including strategic planning and goal setting, for mental health service operations with the input of professional staff members. Responsible for the maintenance and retention of confidential client record keeping system according to current legal and ethical standards. Responsible for overseeing the coordinated work, ethics, and productivity of all employees working remotely and/or in multiple locations on campus.
Provide direct and indirect clinical responsibility to include, but not limited to, individual and conjoint/group counseling, clinical supervision, outreach programming, and consultation services to the university community as defined by administrative policies. Coordination of mental health crisis intervention services and postvention and emergency response as needed. Maintain professional development and credentials.
Provide administrative supervision to the Associate Director for Clinical Services, CCPS. Oversee procedures that monitor the delivery, quality, and quantity of counseling services rendered by Counseling and Psychological Services including the identification and attainment of service objectives and the evaluation of preventative outreach programs/consultation efforts. Oversee agreed-upon accreditations.
Provide administrative supervision to the Associate Director for Training, CCPS, who oversees all levels of the training program and monitors the delivery, quality, and quantity of counseling clinical services rendered therein. Oversee agreed upon accreditations.
Oversee the Counseling and Psychological Services budget. Develop training and education materials for staff. Ensure credentialing for all provider staff.
Participate in local, state, and national professional associations as agreed upon with the AVC. Oversee the recruitment, training, supervision, development, and evaluation of professional staff members.
Serve on university committees as assigned and participate in university policy formation and program development.
Build cooperative relationships with other on-campus departments and St. Louis psychological and community agencies. Serve or designate service on the Care and Concern and Campus Threat teams. Assist with administrative duties associated with the student medical leave/return process. Responsible for maintaining current files and arranging for inactive files. Oversee collaboration with Office of the General Counsel on all legal matters impacting the center or the university. Promote counseling services by further developing publicity materials, including web page design and updates, speaking at orientation programs, attending university social events, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requirements
Required Qualifications
Earned doctorate (Ph.D., Psy.D. or EdD.) from a regionally accredited university in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, counselor education, or other closely related discipline.
License eligible in the state of MO with the expectation of being licensed within 12 months.
Minimum five years of successful experience as a staff member in a clinical and/or counseling setting, with at least one year in a clinical and/or supervisory capacity.
Preferred Qualifications
Administrative and progressive leadership experience in a university counseling center.
Demonstrated experience and vision in supporting marginalized populations.
Proven ability to develop and implement culturally informed interventions that address diverse needs and foster inclusive environments.
Knowledge of mental health centers in a college health setting.
Ability to effectively communicate with staff members.
Ability to counsel staff members having performance issues.
Ability to mentor staff members to grow in their respective positions.
Personal abilities and attributes that enable effective representation of mental health issues in the university community. These should include personal qualities and leadership skills that enable effective interaction with, and the ability to gain the respect of, counseling staff, colleagues, administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
