Director of Counseling Services

Job Description

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).
Working Title:
Director of Counseling Services
Institution:
Minnesota State University, Moorhead
Classification Title:
State Prog Admin Director
Bargaining Unit / Union:
216: Middle Management Association
City:
Moorhead
FLSA:
Job Exempt
Full Time / Part Time:
Full time
Employment Condition:
Classified - Unlimited
Salary Range:
$38.83 - $57.94
Position Purpose:
The Director is the leader for university initiatives related to student mental health support, mental health crisis management, and sexual violence prevention/education initiatives. The Director is responsible for overall administration of departmental services to MSUM students, including administration, budget development, supervision, clinical support, and programmatic functions. Operate according to counseling and case management best practices, ensuring departmental compliance with FERPA. Direct work and provide leadership to counseling, case manager/navigator, and administrative support staff. Create and ensure compliance with operational policies and procedures. Collaborate with other campus departments to offer educational programming and training to students and employees. Serve on campus committees, task forces, and work groups, including but not limited to: Care Team, Emergency Management Team, Sexual Violence Prevention Committee, and Substance Education and Recovery Committee. Collaborate with local clinics and agencies to create partnerships and establish MOUs for counseling and medical health support for students. Participate in meetings and activities associated with the Dean of Students Office and the Division of Academic and Student Affairs
.
Responsibilities:
Responsibility #1: Provide the overall development, administration, implementation, and leadership of the Counseling Services Department.
Create and implement policies and procedures related to client care, services, documentation, scope of services, business procedures, etc. that reflect best practices for University student counseling services.
Provide leadership and vision for proactive initiatives to address mental health and wellbeing.
Develop, implement, and monitor budget, ensuring operational efficiencies and financial sustainability.
Prepare and submit annual reports, including reports & documents representing the needs of the department and the mental health needs of the university community.
Seek external funding, as appropriate, for programs and services.
Establish and maintain effective relationships with internal and external entities to provide quality care and educational programming to students.
Partner and establish MOUs with local clinics to offer counseling and medical health support to students.
Develop and implement a vision and workplan for Counseling Services and support the overall strategic plan for the Division of Academic & Student Affairs and MSUM.
Coordinate strategic planning efforts for Counseling Services with input from departmental staff as well as MSUM faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders.
Analyze trends in university mental health care to determine how to provide quality services to students.
Participate and inform MSUM groups such as Emergency Management Team and CARE Team on mental health trends and provide educational opportunities.
Other duties as assigned
Responsibility #2: Provide supervision and development to Counseling Services Department.
Lead, supervise, direct, and oversee direct personnel, including but not limited to hiring, evaluating, promoting, rewarding, assigning work, training, disciplining, suspending, discharging. and adjusting grievances to ensure that staff are skilled and available as needed. collective bargaining agreements and Minnesota State System policies and procedures are implemented and appropriately enforced, projects are staffed correctly to meet deadlines and stay within budget, and staff meet service standards and goals.
Coordinate staff training related to FERPA, departmental policies & procedures, university and system policies, software management of case files, and professional development opportunities related to emerging mental health needs of students.
Create and maintain employee position descriptions, recommend salary placement, and establish work tasks.
Approve and monitor work schedules, hours, leave requests, ensuring adequate coverage and operational efficiency.
Assess and monitor the quality of staff performance, taking corrective action when necessary to resolve errors and mitigate their impact.
Perform all supervisory tasks in accordance with established Minnesota State Colleges and Universities policies and procedures
Responsibility #3: Provide Individual and Group Counseling for Students
Assess concerns on in initial contact; determine goals & focus for counseling
Keep accurate and timely case files in a secured location
Develop therapeutic relationship; meeting for regularly scheduled counseling sessions as appropriate
Determine appropriate referrals on a case-by-case basis
Provide emergency on-call services to the campus community as needed
Serve on the MSUM CARE Team and participate in risk assessment and response, as needed
Responsibility #4: Coordinate Sexual Violence Prevention and Education Initiatives
Chair the Sexual Violence Prevention Committee and coordinate marketing, assessment, and education activities.
Develop, coordinate, and facilitate training initiatives for students, faculty, and staff related to sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, Green Dot bystander intervention, and other related/developing topics.
Assist with administration of sexual violence campus climate survey and articulation of results on an annual basis.
Responsibility #5: Behavioral Responsibilities
Be sensitive in my dealings with other personnel, visitors, and students, so that all are treated in a respectful, professional, and humane manner
Be respectful of and sensitive to the rights, responsibilities and duties of others, and respectful of the human rights of all racial, ethic, and religious grounds, including but not limited to protected groups as defined by state statute
Maintain professional level of conduct and interaction with other staff so that staff dissent is minimized
Maintain control and composure during difficult and stressful situations to instill a calming effect on others
Maintain a professional distance in relationships with students and their families
Minimum Qualifications:
4 years of therapy experience
Appropriate licensure (LPCC, LICSW) to provide clinical supervision for staff counselors and site supervision for counselors in training
Licensed in MN, ability to acquire ND licensure within first year
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership skills and abilities in university counseling and healthcare setting.
Managerial experience in program development, collaboration, policy development, administration, resource management, and strategic planning
Experience with or knowledge of issues such as quality assessment, program evaluation, counseling technical applications, federal and state counseling regulations
Strong interpersonal and organizational skills to serve students and collaborate with campus and community partners
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with a diverse population of students, faculty, staff, and external partners

Other Requirements:
The successful candidate must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States by the day employment begins. The University regrets that we are unable to offer H-1B sponsorship at this time.
A completed application will include a resume and cover letter.
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.
Work Shift:
Monday - Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework:
No
About:
Minnesota State Moorhead is a vibrant community that pushes you to forge your own path. Help shape a campus where students thrive, connect, and lead!
Salary
is commensurate with experience and qualifications and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable bargaining unit agreement or personnel plan.
Benefits Information:
At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the
State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP)
website.

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents.
Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.
Desired Start Date:
12-09-2026
Position End Date:
Open Date:
10-23-2026
Close Date:
11-10-2026
Posting Contact Name:
Kim Voxland
Posting Contact Email:
kim.voxland@mnstate.edu