Director, Counseling Services

The Director of Counseling Services is responsible for setting and delivering the mission and vision of the University of Houston-Downtown Counseling Center. The Director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the Counseling Center. The Director will report to the Dean of Students.

• Provides leadership and vision for the Counseling Center
• Develops and maintains Counseling Center policies, procedures, and protocols in compliance with state/federal requirements, University and System policies, and University mission
• Maintains and oversees department budget, expenditures, revenue, and contracts
• Supervises, manages, and evaluates professional counseling staff
• Assists professional counseling staff by providing professional, short-term counseling services (individual, group, couple), including intake, treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, and consultation to enrolled students
• Provides assessment and intervention for students in crisis
• Works with UHD Police, Dean of Students Office, faculty and staff to address and respond to students expressing hard to self or others
• Assists with providing an appropriate and coordinated response from the University to personal and campus emergencies involving students
• Develops and maintains partnership with UHD Academic Affairs and other universities for internships and practicum opportunities
• Maintains documentation of sessions and other services using an electronic medical records system
• Collects, assesses, and reports on Counseling Center utilization rates, effectiveness, and student learning outcomes
• Ensures compliance with Family Educational Rights and Privacy (FERPA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), and other federal/state requirements for counseling records by supervising the maintenance, security, and proper disclosure of such records
• Provides consultation, training, workshops, presentations, and outreach programs to the campus community related to mental health issues and trends, psychological and behavioral management techniques, and department services
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional development courses required by the Dean of Students
• Assists and supports programming for the department division of Student Affairs
• Participates in campus-wide committees as assigned

• Performs other duties as assigned

Direct Reports:

• Supervises full-time employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Makes final decision on evaluating employee performance; provides recommendations on promotions; salary increases; hiring new employees; dismissals; disciplinary actions; scheduling employee work hours; coaching and counseling; makes final decision on training; handling employee grievances and complaints; granting time off

Required Education:

• Master's in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited college or University

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years experience as a professional counselor, with at least three (3) of those years post-internship.
• Clinical supervision experience of master's level therapist and above
• Experience with providing short-term professional counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and group counseling.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience providing supervision to professional counselors
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops, training, and presentations on mental health-related topics to various audiences.

License/Certification:

• Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in the State of Texas

• Doctorate in counseling or a counseling-related field from an accredited college or University
• Minimum of three (3) years of full-time experience counseling college students in higher education
• Experience working with first-generation students, returning adult students, and students from urban areas

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of counseling theory, practice, and ethics
• Knowledge of safety and security precautions appropriate to work performed
• Knowledge of current trends, issues, and accepted practices relevant to the position

Skills:

• MS Office Programs
• Experience with Information Management Systems
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Multicultural competency

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries with students

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment

Physical Demands:

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment, which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements. Position is physically comfortable; the individual has discretion about sitting (90%), walking (5%), standing (5%), etc. Work environment involves minimal exposure to physical risks Work evening and weekends as needed and requested

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Organizational Management

• Manages department or section planning and assessment consistent with the university's goals and objectives and executive management's directives.
• Develops and oversees administration of the department/section budget to ensure effective utilization of financial resources and appropriate disbursement of funds.
• Fosters a cooperative and productive work environment that advances department/section operations and initiatives through motivation, encouragement, and professional development of staff.
• Develops department/section procedures and work rules for compliance with government regulations and university policies; participates in the development and revision of applicable university policies.
• Competently represents the department/section through interactions with the university community and/or external constituents.

Work Leadership

• Leads the work of assigned staff.
• Assigns projects and tasks with clear instructions and understanding of work to be performed.
• Mentors and guides by sharing expertise, knowledge of work rules and procedures, and best practices.
• Follows up to ensure tasks and projects are completed within reasonable timeframes.

Problem Solving

• Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
• Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
• Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.

Writing Proficiency

• Demonstrates the ability to express information clearly and concisely in writing.
• Formulates and writes information to effectively communicate messages, ideas, and/or concepts for the intended recipient or audience.
• Uses appropriate words and tone, and correct grammar.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Customer Relations Management

• Ensures customer's needs and expectations are addressed within his/her department or section. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Mentors and guides department/section staff by sharing knowledge and best practices to appropriately respond to customer's requests.
• Monitors staff interactions with customers for professional conduct, consistent application of university policies and procedures, and follow up of outstanding requests.
• Assumes responsibility for addressing complex or unusual requests.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.