Job Description

The Mental Health Counselor is a full-time, 12-month professional staff member in Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services. This position provides individual counseling, crisis intervention, and support to students experiencing emotional, psychological, academic, or personal challenges that affect their well-being and success. The counselor promotes student retention, resilience, and engagement through prevention, intervention, outreach, and referral services. The position collaborates with campus departments to support student success, assists students with accommodations and support resources, and helps coordinate testing-related services that promote access and achievement. Reporting to the Director of Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services, the counselor fosters a safe, supportive, and inclusive campus environment that enhances student well-being and academic success.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related mental health field.
• Current Mississippi licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or equivalent mental health professional.
• Applicants with provisional licensure (P-LPC or LMSW) may be considered if they have an approved clinical supervisor and are eligible to practice under supervision in accordance with Mississippi regulations.
• One to three years of professional counseling experience in a clinical or mental health setting; experience in higher education is preferred.
• Experience providing telemental health services.
• Knowledge of counseling theories, assessment and treatment planning, crisis intervention, case management, and professional ethics.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse student populations and collaborate with faculty, staff, and community partners.
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and complying with applicable ethical, legal, and professional standards.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience providing counseling and mental health services to college-age students in a higher education setting.
• Experience delivering substance use prevention, education, and early intervention services.
• Experience developing and facilitating workshops, presentations, support groups, and psychoeducational programs.
• Knowledge of student success initiatives, retention strategies, and case management practices in higher education.
• Familiarity with current best practices in college student mental health, wellness promotion, and academic success.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support student well-being and success.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, assessments, and referrals for students experiencing psychological, emotional, social, academic, or personal concerns.
2. Provide on-call crisis response services, coordinate care, collaborate with Campus Police and campus partners, and facilitate appropriate referrals to ensure student safety and continuity of care.
3. Maintain timely, accurate, and confidential clinical documentation, records, and correspondence in accordance with professional, legal, and institutional standards.
4. Develop, implement, and evaluate outreach programs, workshops, and psychoeducational presentations that promote mental health, resilience, and student well-being.
5. Promote Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services through orientations, campus events, classroom presentations, and faculty and staff training.
6. Assist with the administration of on-campus and national ACT testing, academic placement testing, and related testing services as assigned.
7. Utilize office technology, electronic health records, and software applications to support counseling, reporting, communication, and data management.
8. Participate in professional development activities to maintain licensure, enhance clinical knowledge, and remain current with best practices.
9. Establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners while demonstrating sound judgment, professionalism, and cultural competence.
10. Assess complex situations, prioritize responsibilities, solve problems effectively, and perform efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
11. Maintain required licensure, certifications, and professional credentials, and participate in appropriate institutional, community, state, and professional organizations.
12. Maintain confidentiality, accurate records, effective communication, and a safe, organized, and supportive work environment.
13. Demonstrate flexibility, adaptability, continuous learning, and proficiency with emerging technologies and counseling practices.
14. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services and the District Dean of Student Services.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of counseling theories, clinical assessment, crisis intervention, case management, and evidence-based therapeutic practices that promote student well-being, resilience, and academic success.
• Ability to assess student needs, develop and implement treatment plans, and evaluate the effectiveness of counseling interventions and outcomes.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, written, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Understanding of and commitment to the College's mission, vision, values, and student-centered approach to higher education.
• Ability to establish rapport and effectively engage students in both in-person and virtual counseling environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and coordinate services with campus departments and community resources to support student success.
• Knowledge of disability services, accommodation processes, and testing services within a higher education environment.
• Ability to maintain accurate clinical documentation, case records, and confidential student information in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional ethical standards.
• Experience using electronic health records, student information systems, and data management tools to document services, monitor utilization, and evaluate program effectiveness.
• Proficiency with personal computers, mobile devices, Microsoft Office applications, database systems, electronic health records, and virtual meeting platforms.
• Ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate outreach programs, workshops, presentations, and other educational initiatives that promote student mental health, wellness, and academic achievement.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as a member of interdisciplinary teams, committees, and task forces.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, exercise sound professional judgment, and perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services and the District Dean of Student Services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and the public through verbal, written, and electronic communication.
• Interact regularly with individuals in person, by telephone, and through virtual communication platforms.
• Use a computer and other office technology to create, maintain, and access electronic and written records and documents.
• Sit for extended periods while performing computer-based and administrative tasks.
• Frequently use hands and fingers to operate computers, telephones, and other standard office equipment.
• Occasionally stand, walk, bend, stoop, reach, kneel, and move throughout the work environment.
• Occasionally lift and/or move lightweight office supplies, testing materials, and other work-related items.
• Work primarily in the Student Counseling, Disability, and Testing Services office in a professional office environment with a generally quiet noise level.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

APPLICATION

Interested applicants, should attach and submit the following:

• Application at www.northwestms.edu
• Resume
• Three Professional References (Name, Email Address, and Phone Number)

Northwest Mississippi Community College is a two-year, open access public community college primarily serving 11 counties in northwest Mississippi. Our vision states that “Northwest Mississippi Community College transforms our students’ lives, enriches our communities, and strives for excellence in our educational programs and services.”

Accreditation

Northwest Mississippi Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the Associate of Arts degree, the Associate of Applied Science degree and certificates in career education. Questions about the accreditation of Northwest Mississippi Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website ( www.sacscoc.org).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Northwest Mississippi Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or status as a veteran or disabled veteran in all its programs and activities. Northwest Mississippi Community College prohibits sexual harassment and all forms of sexual violence, regardless of sex, gender identity or sexual orientation. The following have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990/Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973: Disability Support Services Coordinator, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 7046, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 562-3309, e-mail address mkelsay@northwestms.edu; Title II of the Age Discrimination Act: Vice President for Finance and Administration, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7017, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 562-3216, e-mail address jhorton@northwestms.edu; Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972/Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964: (For student-related matters) Associate Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Management, Tate Hall, P.O. Box 7010, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 562-3409, e-mail address trush@northwestms.edu or (for employment-related matters) Director of Human Resources, James P. McCormick Administration Building, P.O. Box 7038, 4975 Highway 51 North, Senatobia, MS 38668, telephone number (662) 560-5216, email estanford@northwestms.edu

Safety Statement

The safety and security of students, faculty, and staff is very important to Northwest Mississippi Community College. A copy of the Annual Security Report, published annually by the Campus Police Department, details Northwest policies and procedures regarding campus safety. A copy of the report, which contains the annual crime statistics report, is available online in the current Northwest Bulletin ( www.northwestms.edu/bulletin) or on the Northwest website ( www.northwestms.edu) and in printed form upon request from the Campus Police Office at (662) 562-3314.

Background Check Statement

Northwest Mississippi Community College is committed to providing a safe campus community. NWCC conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.