Code
5409
PCLS
N3038
Pay Grade
123
Exempt
Yes
ORP
No
EEO Code
3
Title
Professional Counselor
Description

Provides mental health services to address the student's psychological, social, emotional, and academic adjustment to the University and to enhance the student's personal growth and development. Responsibilities include individual, group, and couples counseling, intake and assessment, crisis and emergency intervention, career counseling, psychological/educational/career testing and assessment, and academic counseling. Develops and implements creative outreach programs, experiential workshops and presentations. Serves as a consultant and educator for students, faculty and staff. Participates in the training and supervision of graduate practicum students.  Provides supervision of licensed professional counselor associates if the licensed professional counselor supervisor license is held. Participates in activities of the Division of Student Affairs and reports to the Director of the Counseling Center.

Examples

Provides individual/group/couples counseling for students experiencing a broad range of developmental and relational issues as well as major psychological issues including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, and severe psychopathology. Administers psychological tests and provides assessment. Provides intake and crisis/emergency services. Participates in on-call rotation to provide services as needed. Provides career counseling that includes career development services and administration of interest/personality inventories. Provides academic counseling that includes a comprehensive educational, counseling and support program for students experiencing scholastic difficulties. Plans, develops and provides workshops, outreach events, and classroom presentations on topics such as psychological issues, substance abuse, healthy body image, time management, study skills, motivation, and other topics related to student concerns, development and retention. Actively participates in professional organizations related to the counseling field.

Physical Condition

Ability to operate a personal computer, ability to sit for extended periods of time, ability to move across campus.

Experience

Professional level experience in counseling with a university or comparable clinical population as well as experience in providing personal, career, and academic counseling. Experience in administration and assessment of psychological, academic, and career testing instruments. Substance abuse counseling experience preferred. Experience in providing presentations and workshops.

Understanding and appreciation for the developmental issues of both traditional and nontraditional college students. Sensitivity, creativity, and an understanding of people and their interactions. Ability to relate to the full range of students presenting on a college campus. Knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of mental health, career, and academic counseling and adherence to professional ethical standards.

Excellent computer skills. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and to maintain case files. Ability and desire to give presentations for groups of students, faculty, and staff.

Knowledge

Understanding and appreciation for the developmental issues of both traditional and nontraditional college students. Sensitivity, creativity, and an understanding of people and their interactions. Ability to relate to the full range of students presenting on a college campus. Knowledge of the principles, theories and practices of mental health, career, and academic counseling and adherence to professional ethical standards. Excellent computer skills. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and to maintain case files. Ability and desire to give presentations for groups of students, faculty, and staff.

Education

Requires a Master's degree in counseling or psychology or a closely related field from an approved program. Appropriate coursework and training in human development, psychological testing and assessment, psychopathology, theories, techniques, human development and career counseling. Must be licensed or license-eligible in the state of Texas as a Licensed Professional Counselor or Psychologist.

Additional Requirements

Ability to assess and accurately diagnose mental health disorders and respond appropriately and in a timely manner to emergencies. Must be well organized and able to communicate and work collaboratively with colleagues, campus departments and student groups. Must possess strong student service orientation. Must have the ability to function effectively in a positive team environment within the organizational and administrative structure of the MSU Counseling Center. Must have abilities to maintain a consistent and dependable work schedule, travel to occasional meetings, classes and other sites, and to occasionally work evening hours and weekends. 

Standard Requirements

Requires the ability to work well with diverse populations and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the community. Must adhere to University’s core values: People-Centered, Community, Integrity, Visionary, and Connections, per the MSU Texas Values Journey. Personal cell phone usage may be required to complete position duties, including multi-function authentication requirements. Regular reliable attendance is required.

This position is designated as security sensitive (Mod) and requires a criminal background check. Position is designated as a Responsible Employee as outlined by Title IX. May serve as Campus Security Authority as outlined by the Clery Act.

Last Updated 11-13-2023