Director of Counseling and Psychological Services

Title: Director of Counseling and Psychological Services Located in Lewiston, Maine. Position Purpose The Director of CAPS serves as the chief mental health officer at Bates, responsible for all administrative functions and clinical services offered by CAPS. The Director leads a multi‑disciplinary team of mental health professionals committed to student well‑being and academic success, offering short‑term intervention and treatment, case management, and clinical expertise around campus issues. The Director provides critical clinical perspective and participates in decision‑making around intervention issues impacting community safety and well‑being. Job Duties Leadership and Administration Provide strategic leadership and oversight of CAPS, including strategic planning, oversight of clinical operations and case management, and supervision and evaluation of staff. Oversee departmental budgets, resource allocation, and external contracts to promote continuous review of departmental priorities and initiatives. Manage a multidisciplinary team of licensed mental health professionals, administrative staff, and graduate interns. Ensure compliance with professional standards, state laws, and ethical guidelines. Develop and implement short and long‑term goals aligned with the college’s mission of supporting the holistic development of all students. Serve as the chief mental health officer on campus and represent CAPS in times of crisis as well as on campus committees and task groups. Support divisional and institutional initiatives through collaboration with campus partners and student leaders to amplify student well‑being through community connection. Lead ongoing integration of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in clinical practice, staff development, and student engagement. Develop and maintain understanding of local and national trends and initiatives in college mental health and clinical best practices through ongoing professional engagement. Provide ongoing training to CAPS clinical staff around emerging practices and techniques in clinical practice. Partner with Health Services to support integrated care, including consultation regarding psychopharmacological treatment and a coordinated support plan. Develop and maintain strong relationships with local clinical providers, including partners at local behavioral emergency services, to ensure pathways of continued care for clients requiring intervention beyond the scope of practice of CAPS. Develop and maintain clinical/psychiatric case management practices that support high quality care for students navigating complex clinical presentations. Clinical Services Serve as chief mental health officer for the college, leading clinical support services, proactive training opportunities to community members, and response to mental health aspects of acute community events. Responsible for all clinical services related to student mental health, including timely access to services, individual and group therapy, brief treatment, crisis intervention, psychiatric care, community consultation, case management, and referrals. Ensure oversight and confidentiality of the Electronic Medical Record system (Titanium) and supervise staff to maintain documentation of clinical care aligned with professional standards. Lead CAPS Clinical Team meetings to ensure students are receiving care appropriate to their conditions and participate in assessment and intervention of students with high risk/safety concerns. Oversee and manage the on‑call rotation, providing backup consultation and secondary support for after‑hours crisis calls and to the Deans On‑Call. Maintain an appropriate clinical caseload, providing individuals and group counseling and psychotherapy to students. Lead data‑informed assessment of programs and services to evaluate student outcomes and implement strategies for continuous quality improvement. Cultivate close relationships with St. Mary’s Hospital staff to allow information sharing and treatment planning for students who are in hospital and to review continuity of care for students returning to campus. Supervise clinical case manager to provide case management resources to students post‑hospitalization, off‑campus referrals to specialized providers, and support students with unique clinical needs. Supervision and Training Provide clinical supervision and professional development for all staff, including pre‑licensure clinicians, case managers, and graduate interns, and support them in obtaining requisite hours and supervision for licensing. Maintain connection to graduate programs to support graduate practicums and internships that allow the continuation and potential expansion of the graduate trainee program at Bates. Cultivate a supportive environment that promotes team cohesion, trust, and skill development through shared learning and reflection. Campus Collaboration, Outreach and Well‑Being Serve as member of the Well‑Being at Bates Steering Committee to implement campus‑wide initiatives grounded in dimensions of well‑being. Strategize with the Office of Student Well‑Being to develop creative programs that support student growth and development through connection and belonging. Lead and manage facilitation of community programming in support of the mental well‑being dimension under the dimensions of well‑being model. Collaborate with campus partners to design and implement outreach, prevention programming, and educational initiatives that promote student well‑being and resilience. Offer workshops proactively or upon request from campus partners that support knowledge and training related to mindfulness, self‑care, suicide prevention, etc. Minimum Qualifications Education Master’s or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited university in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work. Valid clinical professional license, either in Maine or with the ability to receive such license in Maine within 90 days of starting the position. Experience 5–7 years of clinical experience working with college‑age populations (or its equivalent). Demonstrated experience in team leadership and supervision of fully licensed clinicians, preliminary licensure clinicians, case managers, and graduate interns. Preferred Qualifications Progressive leadership in a college counseling center or comparable mental health service. Prior administrative and supervisory experience managing an inter‑disciplinary team of clinicians. Familiarity with electronic record keeping systems, such as Titanium. Skills and Knowledge Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community. Strong interpersonal skills, including intercultural sensitivity. Experience with program assessment, data‑informed decision making, and wellness programming. Strong ability to collaborate with campus and community partners. Knowledge and experience overseeing departmental budgets and resource allocation. Strong sense of how to lead using emotional intelligence. Benefits Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities, and more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke‑free workplace. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Bates College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity and providing an educational and work environment free from discrimination. The college prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status and other legally protected statuses in the recruitment and admission of its students, in the administration of its education policies and programs, or in the recruitment of its faculty and staff. Bates College adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations. All college faculty, staff, students, contractors, visitors, and volunteers are responsible for understanding and complying with the Non‑Discrimination Policy. Inquiries concerning the college’s policies, compliance with applicable laws, statutes, and regulations (such as Title VII, Title IX, and ADA/Section 504), and complaints may be directed to Gwen Lexow, Title IX Officer, View phone number on click.appcast.io or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr