Bard College at Simon's Rock seeks an experienced and energetic individual to serve as our Director of Counseling Services.

This position offers the unique opportunity to apply experience, expertise, and leadership skills in counseling and progressive wellness education at the nation's only four-year early college. Simon’s Rock provides bright, highly motivated students with the opportunity to begin college after the tenth or eleventh grade. At Simon’s Rock, younger students who successfully complete the requirements receive the Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree after two years and the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree after four. Our student population numbers approximately 400, and 90% live on campus. Simon's Rock is committed to student success, both in and outside the classroom, and the Counseling Services department serves the student community by offering individual and small group therapy sessions, guidance and consultations regarding student support to faculty and staff working with students, 24/7 on-call and crisis management services, as well as educational opportunities and programs designed to educate students about their own well-being as they learn to make choices that will support their success at Simon’s Rock and beyond.

Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Director of Counseling Services is a licensed clinician whose duties include:

• Providing leadership for Counseling Service through clinical staff, who provide short-term counseling services to students on a limited visit basis;
• Addressing a wide-range of mental health concerns, including crisis management, depression, anxiety, family and relationship issues, and conflict management;
• Working closely with Academic Affairs, Student Life, Health Services and Security to de-escalate and manage acute situations, and developing creative educational outreach programs that enhance both the individual’s and community’s wellbeing and quality of life;
• Working with local and regional health care providers, as well as students’ home therapists, to ensure continuous counseling coverage;
• Providing consultation to college personnel and others regarding students of concern;
• Providing training to students, faculty and staff regarding the developmental and mental health needs of students;
• Managing and participating in a rotating call schedule;
• Managing an annual operating budget.

The successful candidate will possess:

• A graduate degree in counseling, clinical psychology, social work, or other applicable field. Master’s required; Ph.D. strongly preferred;
• Five to seven years experience in a relevant environment (required) with increasing responsibility;
• A current Massachusetts license as a psychologist or clinical social worker (required);
• Knowledge of and ability to apply best practices from the mental health field in a residential college setting;
• Successful supervisory experience including the ability to hire, train, supervise, motivate, and evaluate performance;
• The ability to provide clinical assessments of danger to self or others, and to make treatment decisions on the basis of such assessments;
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;
• Understanding of a liberal arts environment;
• An affinity for diverse, bright, curious, independent, and creative students with the courage to make an atypical educational choice;
• Experience working with and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities, including underrepresented minorities and international students;
• Flexibility, creativity, and a sense of humor

This is a full-time, 12-month per year position with excellent employee benefits. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background search. Simon's Rock is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Please send cover letter, resume, and contact information for at least three references to Bob Graves, Dean of Students by email at rgraves@simons-rock.edu (please include "Director of Counseling" in the subject line) or by fax (413 528-7358). No phone calls, please. Review process begins immediately; applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For more information about the College, see our website at www.simons-rock.edu.