Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselor

Category: Professional Administrator

Subscribe:

Department: Counseling

Locations: Syracuse, NY

Posted: Feb 26, 2025

Closes: Open Until Filled

Type: Full Time - 12 Months

Position ID: 185931

About Onondaga Community College:

Onondaga Community College, located in Syracuse, NY, is a college of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State. Onondaga County is our sponsor. We offer two-year degree programs that serve as transfer opportunities to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year campuses or for direct entry to the workforce. We also offer certificate programs that can generally be completed in one year. Onondaga is a diverse educational learning community. We are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where individuality is not only recognized - but encouraged - to contribute to the fabric of the campus environment. We continue to serve the educational and economic development needs of the region and proudly boast more than 40,000 alumni.

Job Description:

BROAD FUNCTION

Mental Health Counselors provide a professional, confidential, and safe environment which fosters the wellbeing, resiliency, and holistic development of all students. As a mental health counselor, the Counselor will meet with students individually and/or in small groups to address various topics such as, adjusting to college, mental health needs and/or personal concerns. They will provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, case management services, and collaboration with campus and community resources to a diverse population of college students. The Counselor will work in collaboration with community agencies to create longer term assistance to ensure continuity of care for the student and will assist with outreach and campus events.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Using individual or group modalities, provide flexible, responsive, high-quality and evidence-based short-term counseling services to students

Conduct initial contact and initial evaluation of students, including determining appropriate disposition and referral

Provide crisis intervention in selected emergent/crisis intervention situations

Complete suicide assessments for our students in distress

Maintain confidential student files and appropriate record-keeping, according professional, ethical, and legal standards

Design and implement psycho-educational programming on a broad range of issues

Attend staff meetings, committee meeting and professional development opportunities, meeting identified expectations of each

Request and provide consultation and/or support as needed from supervisor and other members of the team

Complete and remain up to date on required training as necessary and appropriate

Provide participants with links to community resources to help meet their needs

May mentor interns or students from graduate programs.

Participate in CARE team case management support

Manage administrative duties including scheduling, record keeping, and collateral engagement

Develop and implement individual goal plans when appropriate.

Develop and implement programs which target pertinent and relevant topics congruent with our college population.

Interface with academic departments, other college offices, and student groups to assess program needs and develop appropriate responses.

Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Master's Degree in a health-related field from a regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalency

Licensed to practice counseling independently in New York State (LCAT, LMFT, LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, Licensed psychologist)

Minimum one year of professional experience (1 year of graduate experience will count as .5 years of professional experience)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Two years of professional experience in Higher Education

Community College experience

Experience working within diverse populations

Background in triaging client crisis or urgency levels

Bilingual in English and Spanish. English and another language will be considered

Specialty area of practice (i.e.- Anger Management, De-Escalation, Conflict Resolution, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse/CASAC, PTSD, Justice System navigation, Immigrant and Refugee Populations, LGBTQ+)

Ability to complete comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, using, at minimum, knowledge of the DSM-5 and mental health diagnoses within the ICD-10

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work closely with peers and interdisciplinary team

Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of disadvantaged students

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and effectively

Demonstrated commitment to personal and departmental development, professionalism, multicultural education, creativity, collaboration, and initiative

Ability to manage multiple tasks and effectively prioritize among competing needs

Ability to utilize assessment to guide initiative development

Ability to handle confidential information in a professional and sensitive manner

Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse student population, parents and staff

Possess a willingness to take initiative on new projects and embrace change

Additional Information:

Salary range is: $64,420-72,000, commensurate with credentials and relevant experience. This is funded through a SUNY grant.

Onondaga Community College offers a generous and competitive benefits package including:

New York State Local Retirement System (pension) or an Optional Retirement Plan (401(a).

Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance plans (qualifying domestic partner included).

Onondaga Community College participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for eligible borrowers.