Counselor with Intersectional Identity-Focus (LGBTQ, BIPOC, &/or APIDA)

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

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• CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

• If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State Harrisburg, a comprehensive College of The Pennsylvania State University, is excited to welcome applications and nominations for the 12-month position of advanced or senior professional mental health Counselor with a focus on identity intersectionality of our diverse students at Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

At CAPS at Penn State Harrisburg, we are seeking trauma-informed mental health counselors who have training, expertise, and experience counseling with the unique needs of the intersectional identities of students who identify as:

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ), including Intersex, Asexual, Non-Binary, Pansexual, and Two-Spirit

• Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)

• Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA)

The successful candidate will focus in one or more of the following identity-focused student groups and be titled as one of the following counselor identity-focused areas at CAPS:

• Counselor with LGBTQ Student Focus

• Counselor with BIPOC Student Focus

• Counselor with APIDA Student Focus

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 individual and group mental health counseling services for identity-specific student populations.

• Provide trauma-informed clinical counseling services and outreach for survivors of interpersonal violence.

• Develop and lead mental health outreach programming with a focus on identity-specific student groups. 

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

• Participate in counselor duty or “on-call” coverage during the day.

• 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.

• Obtain independent state licensure within 2 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.

• 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 identity-specific communities in a clinical setting (LGBTQ, BIPOC, and/or APIDA)

• Experience and knowledge of relevant cultural factors and the specific developmental, mental health, and academic concerns of identity-specific students.

• 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.

• Understanding of applied socio-cultural clinical implications.

• Direct clinical experience serving identity-specific student populations (LGBTQ, BIPOC, and/or APIDA).

• 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 presentation and group work.

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

Application Materials:

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

  • (a) identify the identity-specific student focus area(s) you seek to be considered for. (LGBTQ, BIPOC, and/or APIDA),

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

  • (c) 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).

Reporting to the Director of Counseling and Disability Resources, the Counselor provides mental health support services to students with focus on identity intersectionality of mental health at Penn State Harrisburg. CAPS supports students through high-quality and accessible responsive care and prevention. We promote students’ diverse 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 clinical, outreach, training, and experience serving diverse populations, with a professional focus on the needs of students from historically marginalized identities and survivors of gender-based and interpersonal violence. 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).

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.

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 pay range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$38,988.00 – $91,812.00

Salary Structure – additional information on Penn State’s job and salary structure. 

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies. 

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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