Counselor with LGBTQ Student Focus

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State Harrisburg, a comprehensive College of The Pennsylvania State University, is excited to welcome applications for the position of Mental Health Counselor with focus serving students who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ), including Intersex, Asexual, Non-Binary, Pansexual, and Two-Spirit. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is seeking a trauma-informed mental health counselor who has training, expertise, and experience counseling the unique needs of students who identify as LGBTQ and providing intimate partner violence (IPV) counseling services.

Important: This is a 10-month full-time position with a reduced FTE schedule (HR 105 policy).11 months may be considered. Full Penn State benefits are included.

Reporting to the Director of Counseling and Disability Resources, the Counselor provides mental health support services to students with a specialized focus on LGBTQ identity intersectionality of mental health and IPV at Penn State Harrisburg. CAPS supports students through high-quality and accessible responsive care and prevention. We promote students' holistic well-being through psychological, outreach, case management, and consultation services. We provide training to emerging mental health professionals and supervision to those seeking licensure. We are committed to excellence in psychological services by promoting student safety and identity-affirming emotional growth and academic success.

The successful candidate will have high cultural competency in providing clinical services, outreach, and training to diverse populations. Experience serving the needs of students from historically marginalized identities and survivors of gender-based and interpersonal violence is preferred. The Counselor will provide psychological programs and mental health services to Penn State Harrisburg students. This position also participates in supervising graduate-level trainees, training student peer educators, and supervising counselors seeking licensure (if independently licensed).

Position Responsibilities

• Provide brief individual, couples and group counseling, assessment, crisis counseling, and case management services for undergraduate and graduate students seeking help for emotional and behavioral concerns.

• Assist with specialized individual and group mental health counseling services for students who identify as a member of the LGBTQ community.

• Provide trauma-informed clinical counseling services and outreach for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV).

• Develop and lead mental health outreach programming with focus on LGBTQ students and IPV.

• Partner with supervisor and other campus staff to coordinate urgent mental health crisis services.

• Participate in counselor duty or "on call" access coverage during regular business hours.

• Consult with faculty, staff, parents, and others on issues of student care and concern.

• Participate in CAPS graduate training program activities such as providing trainee seminars and contributing during the trainee selection process.

• Assist in peer educator programs and activities with our Peer Advocates for Wellness Services (PAWS) Ambassadors.

• Maintain current, accurate, and timely clinical documentation in accordance with state and federal law, professional ethics, as well as CAPS policies.

• Participate in CAPS and university committees as assigned.

• Participate in clinical supervision and weekly clinical case consultation at CAPS.

• Independent licensure in Pennsylvania or ability to obtain independent state licensure within two years of hire.

• Actively participate in professional associations and training sessions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Masters' degree or higher in Psychology, Counseling, or Social Work from an accredited program.

• 3+ years of relevant experience

• Licensed or license eligible in Pennsylvania as a Social Worker or equivalent in Psychology or Counseling.

• Strong trauma-informed clinical skills.

• Experience in handling crisis situations.

• Strong interpersonal skills.

• Team oriented and collaborative.

• Experience with providing mental health services to LGBTQ clients in a clinical setting.

• Direct clinical experience serving clients impacted by IPV and high-risk concerns.

• Experience and knowledge of relevant cultural factors and the specific developmental, mental health, and academic concerns of LGBTQ clients.

• Evidence of cultural competency, advocacy, and commitment to authentic relationship building serving diverse populations.

• Ability to work independently in the United States is required for employment.

• Candidates must provide successful Child Abuse Reporting clearances, FBI Fingerprinting, and state criminal background checks prior to hire.

• Appropriate licensure must be obtained/maintained according to PA laws.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multilingual clinical skills.

• Professional clinical experience specializing in trauma-informed care, sexual violence, domestic violence, gender-based violence, and discrimination.

• Demonstrated service to LGBTQ clients and gender-identity-based issues.

• Direct clinical experience honoring intersectional identities within the LGBTQ community and mental health and wellness.

• Experience in a university counseling center.

• Experience working in a time-limited model of care with clients presenting in acute distress.

• Experience and strong interest in providing outreach presentations and group work.

• Independent licensure in Pennsylvania is preferred (LPC, LCSW, LP).

Application Materials:

• A cover letter that clearly demonstrates how your education and experience:

  • (a) identify your interest in the role of Counselor with LGBTQ Student Focus,

  • (b) meet the qualifications (and, as applicable, the preferred qualifications),

  • (c) share your contribution to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging, and

  • (d) demonstrate the ability to perform the responsibilities as described in the posting.

• Curriculum vitae or resume including work history, education, and training.

• Contact information of three professional references (including one current or past supervisor).

CAPS, a unit of Student Affairs, is committed to the holistic growth of our students. Inclusion, diversity, and equity are the cornerstones of the mission and goals of Penn State Harrisburg Student Affairs. To honor our diverse student population, we value that personal lived experiences and identities impact our professional work and the ways in which we engage with our students, campus partners, and community. As this position is focused on working with identity intersectionality, having one or more shared identities is valued and we highly encourage members of these groups to apply.

Penn State Harrisburg is located in Middletown, near the city of Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania. The college is easily accessible via interstate and rail routes from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Washington DC, and New York, and Harrisburg International Airport is located within minutes from campus. The college is the largest and most comprehensive of Penn State's Commonwealth Campuses. An undergraduate college and graduate school, Penn State Harrisburg offers more than 75 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs and is the only campus, along with University Park, to offer programs from the associate to doctoral levels. The college also offers the first two years of study leading to more than 160 baccalaureate majors offered throughout Penn State. At the transfer level, Penn State Harrisburg serves students from all Penn State campuses and from community colleges and other accredited colleges and universities. The college enrolls 5,000 students in residence. Reputation is Penn State Harrisburg's hallmark - nationally accredited programs, award-winning faculty, and the resources of a world-class research university. We are Penn State in the Capital Region.

The college's academic units are divided into five schools: Behavioral Sciences and Education; Business Administration; Humanities; Public Affairs; and Science, Engineering, and Technology. The college employs approximately 500 full-time faculty and staff, and roughly 500 part-time employees to carry out its mission to be a premier college of The Pennsylvania State University. To learn more about the college please visit http://harrisburg.psu.edu

The Pennsylvania State University is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.

For more information about CAPS, please visit our website: harrisburg.psu.edu/counseling-psychological-services

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

Salary Structure - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: