Lafayette College Counseling Center has an opening for a Staff Counselor – BIPOC Focused, who has specialized training and expertise in supporting the needs of Black/African American, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) undergraduate students. This is a full-time, 10- month position. This position will provide direct clinical services to students through individual and group counseling, consultation, crisis intervention, and outreach, as well as consultative services to the campus community. This position also offers the opportunity to provide training and supervision in our doctoral practicum program. This counselor serves as a generalist, providing a full range of clinical services to the larger Lafayette student body.

This position is part of the Counseling Center’s commitment to providing identity-affirming and culturally informed services to students. The Counseling Center’s staff recognizes how systemic oppression and discrimination result in psychological stress and trauma for marginalized students. We strive to engage in training and education to examine our own inherent biases and work to dismantle racism and promote systemic change. This counselor will join in that effort.

The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about the impact of race-based stress, racial trauma, anti-Blackness, racial identity development, and the intersectionality of multiple identities on BIPOC students’ experiences at predominantly white institutions. This position allows for and encourages flexibility and creativity in determining how to best support BIPOC students.

Responsibilities:

• Provide culturally responsive clinical services including individual, couples, and group counseling, as well as same day, brief consultation and crisis intervention.
• Provide training and supervision of doctoral practicum students.
• Design and implement culturally informed and inclusive prevention and intervention programs including outreach presentations, therapeutic groups, skill building workshops, and training on topics related to college student mental health and well-being, with a focus on holistic wellness of BIPOC students.
• Assist staff in implementing best practices and evaluating the effectiveness of clinical services provided to culturally diverse populations.
• Foster strong working relationships with Lafayette staff and departments that focus on serving students with marginalized identities (e.g., Office of Intercultural Development).
• Provide consultation to faculty, staff, parents and health care providers regarding student mental health concerns.

Preferred Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will be licensed as a mental health professional in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, hold a masters or doctoral degree in counseling, counseling/clinical psychology, or social work from an accredited institution, and have experience working with young adults. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in a college or university counseling center. Candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to providing culturally informed counseling to college students with marginalized identities, including but not limited to BIPOC students, students with disabilities, sexual and gender diverse students, and international students. Candidates should have a strong interest in outreach programming to support underserved populations and working collaboratively with colleagues in and out of the Counseling Center. Individuals who are eligible to become licensed as psychologists, clinical social workers, or professional counselors within one year may be considered.

Candidates from marginalized groups or groups historically underrepresented in higher education are highly encouraged to apply.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Evidence of strong generalist clinical skills including effectiveness in a short-term treatment model.
• Skill in assessing a wide range of student concerns and demonstrated knowledge of developmental issues of college students.
• Experience developing outreach programs to support the needs of traditionally underrepresented students.
• Ability to speak knowledgeably to students, faculty, and staff about multicultural issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated in oral and written communication.
• Ability to contribute to a positive atmosphere, develop collegial relationships, and maintain healthy boundaries while managing a challenging workload.

About the Center:

The Lafayette College Counseling Center employs a developmental framework informed by a comprehensive understanding of the psychological development of late adolescent and young adult college students. We operate from a strengths-based treatment approach, and believe in the importance of exploring how student identities and their mental health are informed by a larger sociocultural context. Our staff shares a deep appreciation for interpersonal process and relational frameworks, yet values diversity of thought in theory and conceptualization.

We are a highly collaborative team of clinicians who value cultural humility and strive to provide a welcoming, supportive, and affirming environment for all. We share a commitment to providing high quality clinical services and genuinely find meaning and purpose in our work. We maintain an open-door consultation policy and gather regularly to share our challenges and successes.

We value curiosity, introspection, humor and compassion. We strive to support one another in maintaining balance and valuing the person of the psychotherapist while working in a fast-paced environment.

SALARY: Competitive salary and benefits package (please see https://hr.lafayette.edu/benefits for more information).

APPOINTMENT: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

APPLICATION: Submit a vitae, detailed cover letter, and names and phone numbers of three references who can speak to the candidate’s clinical work. http://apply.interfolio.com/101099

Lafayette is deeply committed to creating a diverse community, one that is inclusive and responsive and is supportive of each and all of its faculty, students, and staff. All members of the College community share in the responsibility for creating, maintaining, and developing a learning environment in which difference is valued, equity is sought, and inclusiveness is practiced. All Lafayette operations reflect the College’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion (DEAI) initiatives, and Lafayette welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds.