Counselor/Social Services Coordinator
Job Title: Counselor/Social Services Coordinator
Department: Academic Affairs, Office of Student Success
Position Status: Full-Time
Directly Reports To: Dean of Student Success
Classification: Exempt
This position reports directly to the Dean of Student Success and works closely with other counselors to offer counseling and case management services to students related to mental health, substance use, disability, academic, social, and emotional support needs. Special focus on high risk, underrepresented and marginalized groups of students.
The Counselor/Social Services Coordinator provides interventions such as short term, one to one counseling, educational groups, referrals and coordination of services on campus and community support services. Coordination of services should include connecting individual students with services via phone or in person.
The Counselor/Social Services Coordinator works as a part of a Retention Team to assist students with concerns related to mental health and wellness, personal, behavioral, and social adjustment. The social worker advocates for student success and must possess a demonstrated ability to multi-task within a flexible daily schedule. Responsible for determining appropriate clinical interventions and referrals for more severe psychological cases.
The Counselor/Social Services Coordinator responds to student, faculty and staff referrals regarding attendance, personal, psychological, behavioral and social concerns. The person in this role must have a working knowledge of FERPA, and HIPPA regulations, and possess strong writing, organizational, and technical skills to document, monitor and analyze data for case history and service assessment. This position has some evening hours during the academic semester.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- Respond to referrals from instructors, staff and administrators regarding social-emotional needs, observed signs of possible mental crisis, substance use, financial difficulties, or food insecurity.
- Respond to any student in crisis and intervene with appropriate assessment and referral, coordinated with appropriate campus and community personnel
- Provide mental health counseling as assigned or as needed
- Meet with students to determine and approve housing insecurity
- Work collaboratively with Student Services team to identify and support high-needs students that may require ongoing support to address psychosocial needs for successful matriculation at TSCT.
- Responsible for drug and alcohol programming, related discipline referrals, administration of CORE Survey and Coordination with the VP of Student Services regarding Drug Free Schools Act.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist with data collection and analysis to document service provision and outcomes to support Middle States Accreditation process
- Develop and lead presentations/workshops related to student wellness, such as: mindfulness, stress management, etc.
- Participate in retention meetings
- Participate in college committee work as assigned
- Maintain files and document all contacts in student information system; maintain counseling files for 7 years for students accessing counseling for mental health, substance, or disability related issues
- Participate in Orientations, Open House, and special events as needed.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Familiarity with resources in the local community and statewide
- Highly motivated self-starter who can take initiative
- Strong interest in working with under resourced populations
- Ability to support and guide individuals in developing healthy coping strategies for life and the workplace
- Experience working with individuals coping with substance use, abuse and addiction
- Working knowledge of Ferpa and Hippa Regulations
- Ability to assess and manage mental health emergencies
- Knowledge of clinical therapies and wellness techniques
- Ability to balance professional ethics/confidentiality with campus need to know
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to coordinate with diverse support team
- Ability to follow college policies and procedures
- Knowledge of and commitment to the college’s mission, purpose, goals, and values
- Committed to creating an emotionally safe environment where diversity, respect, and inclusion are valued
- A lifetime learner who remains current with respect to evidence-based practices in mental health, wellness in higher education
- Willing to participate in ongoing campus wide assessment process
- Expertise in responding to social emotional, and mental health needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds in a higher education setting
- Excellent communication and technical skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to work independently
- Willingness to be flexible, and work in various settings
- General understanding of legal implications related to job duties
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree in social work, or counseling
- Clinical social worker licensure or eligible
- Mental Health related licensure or certification
- Experience in higher education setting or familiar with higher education laws
- Demonstrated experience in dealing with confidential matters
- Bilingual-Preferred
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND/OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
- Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
- Good communication skills
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- This position may be designated as "Essential" and/or the employee may be required to provide a means to be contacted during non-duty hours for emergencies. In the event of a campus emergency, special event, closure to maintain campus safety or building operations, this position may be required to work outside of regularly scheduled hours.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Conditions of Employment
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a residential, two year technical college that serves economically disadvantaged as well as tuition-paying students. The College prepares students for skilled employment in a diverse, ever-changing workforce and for full, effective participation as citizens of the community, the Commonwealth, and the nation. Committed for over a century to lifelong learning, inclusiveness, and community outreach, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology dedicates itself to the development of Pennsylvania's technical workforce. For information about the College, visit www.stevenscollege.edu.
Application Process: Application materials must include a cover letter, a current resume, and academic transcripts. Send applications to Heather Burky, Attention: Counselor/Social Services Coordinator, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 or Applications will be reviewed upon submission and the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (the “College”) does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age (as applicable), religion, ancestry, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.