Athletic Wellness Counselor

CONTEXT OF THE JOB

Post University’s Mental Health and Wellness Services (MHWS) provide individual psychotherapy, therapeutic groups, athletic counseling, and holistic wellness services to the Post community. In addition to the provision of services to Post’s main campus located in Waterbury, CT, MHWS also provides holistic wellness services to students in Post’s Accelerated Degree Program (ADP), which is offered virtually. MHWS operates within a Comprehensive Model of Connected Care: offering mental health and wellness services in collaboration with students to foster the co-creation of opportunities for emotional expression. MHWS’ Comprehensive Model of Connected Care has its foundation in the delivery of dynamic, emergent, and next generational mental health and wellness services founded in current college counseling trends.

Post University currently sponsors 22 Division II athletic programs. Student-athletes make up over half of Post’s main campus student population. The Athletic Wellness Counselor (AWC) is distinguishable from many other student service positions by the breadth, depth and nature of the counseling and wellness services provided. The AWC conducts mental health screenings/intakes, assessment, individual and group counseling for our Post community members on main campus but additionally offers skills-based workshops, and social-emotional learning to our ADP students through an athletic counseling and wellness lens. The work of the AWC supports the University’s mission of “Making it Personal” and the “We Care” vision of MHWS, as well as the strategic initiatives of the other Student Services to ensure student success. The primary goals of the AWC are to contribute and commit to providing a supportive campus environment, promote psychological health and well-being for students and to empower students to achieve academic, athletic, and professional success.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Mental Health and Athletic Counseling Services

o Provide evidence-based and culturally responsive individual and group counseling to Post University students. The AWC must conduct evaluations and risk assessments and provide DSM diagnoses for individuals living with complex conditions, such as PTSD, CPTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use and abuse, disordered eating, and victims of sexual assault.

o Conduct intake assessments and make treatment recommendations, including facilitating community-based referrals to a consulting Psychiatrist and other agencies as appropriate.

o Deliver solution-focused brief counseling to students, athletic performance programming, and/or crisis counseling, intervention, and/or referral services for students who may require services which extend beyond the scope of MHWS.

o Develop a comprehensive set of student-athlete driven counseling programs based on research and assessment.

o Maintain accurate and current clinical records within an electronic health record. Report appropriate statistics to mandating office.

o Adhere to ethical and professional standards of counseling service and practice.

Athletic Wellness & Community Services

o Provide services in compliance with NCAA rules and regulations.

o Provide education and outreach programs specifically designed to engage members of marginalized student populations to promote belonging and inclusivity.

o Design and facilitate educational, insight-oriented, and performance-enhancing team interventions per coach directives, needs assessment, and provider availability.

o Partner with student groups to facilitate effective diversity and social justice-oriented holistic wellness programs.

o Develop, facilitate, and assess holistic wellness programming to be integrated into Post’s classrooms and communities.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

o Serve as an approachable resource for faculty, staff, students, families, and community partners on effective health promotion and education.

o Serve as a supervisor/advisor to internships incumbents and provide training and development to these incumbents.

o Provide training to the Post community on We Care programming

o Serve as a MHWS representative and advocate for mental health and wellness services on various Post campus initiatives, collectives, and councils.

o Collaborate with the various offices, including Disability Support Services, Title IX, Advising, Campus Life, Athletics, and other offices to provide holistic mental health education, outreach, and prevention programs.

o Engage in the development of department-wide goals.

o Attendance and participation at committee, staff, informational and professional meetings.

o Foster a professional work and learning environment.

o Perform other duties as required by MHWS.

QUALIFICATIONS

o Ability to provide positive leadership and administrative leadership is essential and should be shown through experience, presentations, as well as skill in expressing such knowledge in person in an interview setting.

o Demonstrated ability to manage, execute, and complete complex projects within complex systems with limited oversight.

o Knowledge, experience, and interest in working with the following populations: clients from traditionally marginalized communities, including students of color, students with disabilities, international students, LGBTQIA+ students, student-athletes, and first-generation college students.

o Demonstrated understanding of racial stress, racial trauma, multiracial identity, systemic racism, and intercultural competency.

o Excellent publication, presentation skills and communication skills

o Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to represent MHWS, and Post University with high levels of professionalism, courtesy, and tactfulness; ability to manage high stress situations and maintain composure and promote positive working relationships.

o Master’s degree in social work, counseling or related field or doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology is required. Experience with college counseling, especially work with student-athletes, is desired. Licensure in respective discipline in the state of CT is required.

o Ability to analyze and assess the needs of the general campus community and the capacity of MHWS and Student Life to fulfill those needs related to Outreach, Holistic Wellness, and consultation.

o Ability to be an interdisciplinary team player is essential.

o Demonstrated administrative leadership in proficiency in computer skills (e.g., Titanium, Excel, word processing, presentation software, and web navigation abilities).

Special Requirement: Flexible work schedule required. Position may require early mornings, evening, and/or weekend hours.