Counselor - University of North Texas System

Title: Counselor

Employee Classification: Counselor

Campus: University of North Texas - Dallas

Division: DAL-Academic Aff & Stdnt Success

SubDivision-Department: DAL-UNT Dallas College of Law

Department: DAL-College of Law-517000

Job Location: Downtown Dallas

Salary: Salary commensurate with experience

FTE: 1.0

Retirement Eligibility: TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview:

Department Summary

The mission of the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs is to support the academic success, healthy personal development, and ethical and professional formation of students, and to support and sustain the College of Law as an educational, social, and professional community. In carrying out this mission, the Office works closely with the faculty of the College of Law, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and other departments within the College of Law. The Office of Student Affairs provides counseling services to assist law students in maximizing their potential for personal and academic success.

Position Overview

The UNT Dallas College of Law invites applications for the position of Counselor.

The UNT Dallas College of Law is a new public law school that will enroll its inaugural class in Fall 2014. The College of Law plans to enroll one fulltime section of between 60-80 students, and one part-time evening division of between 40-60 students (with the total number of students not exceeding 120). For the near-term future, each entering class will include a day section and an evening section of approximately these sizes. The College of Laws goals are: (1) widening access to legal education for those who could be superb legal professionals; (2) providing an educational program focused on excellence in developing practice related competencies, through a curriculum mapped to those competencies and using best instructional practices, including multiple formative and summative assessment throughout, engaged class design, and a spectrum of experiential education; (3) creating opportunity for our students by keeping tuition and debt low and producing graduates with high value and ability in multiple segments of the market for legal services; (4) becoming a national leader in advancing understanding of best legal education practices, of professional formation, and of the relationship between legal education and the evolving practice and business of law; (5) improving access to justice for underserved legal needs; and (6) serving as a valuable partner in civic engagement with the City of Dallas and the North Texas region. More information is available at the UNT Dallas College of Law web site: http://lawschool.untsystem.edu/.

This position reports to the UNT Dallas College of Laws Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. The position provides counseling services to assist law students in maximizing their potential for personal and academic success. This position is responsible for providing mental health counseling to students and consults with students in crisis to provide the appropriate level of care. May have possible outreach to students and other stakeholders. The position exhibits a commitment to a developmental model by initiating interventions that promote a healthy campus environment and meets the psychological needs of the College of Law community. This individual will also work with the College of Laws Dean of Student Life's Office to develop and execute wellness programs for the College of Law to provide an inclusive and safe environment for all students. The ideal candidate for this position will be knowledgeable of counseling services and wellness programming which assist students in higher education. This position also involves work that relies upon specialized knowledge relating to accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This position provides support for students with disabilities, and assists those students in accessing accommodations and services to successfully complete their studies at UNT Dallas College of Law.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Psychology, Counseling, Clinical or Educational Psychology or related field.
• Must be licensed by the State of Texas or have the ability to obtain appropriate licensure within twenty-four months of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of professional counseling practices, policies, and procedures.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of safety and security precautions appropriate to work performed.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:

• A PhD or ABD in counseling, psychology or social work is preferred with at least two years of related experience.
• Two years of student services, student affairs, counseling, psychology, or social work experience.
• Previous experience in a higher education setting working with students.
• Thorough knowledge of Federal and State laws relevant to the provision of Counseling Services and the determination of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Required License/Registration/Certifications

Job Duties:

• Provides mental health counseling to a diverse population, including individual and group counseling for personal and academic concerns.
• Ensures accurate documentation and recordkeeping of case files.
• Presents workshops/training/outreach in areas of expertise and make presentations to specific groups that may include students, faculty , and staff. 
• Attends professional development opportunities which increase counselor knowledgebase and which maintain professional licensure. 
• Conducts intake assessments, screenings, psychological testing and interpretation. 
• Engages in client staffing, case management, consultation and referral. 
• Administrative: Creates and assessment plan and provides assessment data for counseling and wellness.
• Provides crisis or trauma intervention services and consults with the College of Laws Assistant Dean of Student Affairs when necessary. 
• Consults with faculty and staff regarding counseling services for students. 
• Engages in professional development activities to enhance skills and maintain licensure. 
• Assists with coordination, and execution of all aspects of testing, accommodated assignments, and quizzes for law students with disabilities. This includes scheduling, proctoring, and maintaining academic integrity of these academic processes. Assists with the interaction of the law students disability with the academic environment to facilitate equitable opportunities. 
• Maintains a current knowledge of assistive technologies, assessing their level of effectiveness and implementing these technologies, as appropriate. 
• Maintains contact and liaison with other College of Law and University offices and external agencies as requested. 
• Coordinates special assignments and projects. 
• Follows appropriate safety procedures and security measures related to work performed.
• Understands and follows rules regarding principles of confidentiality relating to all office and student matters. 
• Completes all other duties as assigned by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. 
• Works with the Student Bar Association to produce and provide wellness programming and activities. 
• Coverage on days, evenings and weekends, as assigned. Other duties as assigned. 

Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Flexibility with coverage on days, evenings and weekends, as assigned.

Driving University Vehicle:

No

Security Sensitive:

This is a Security Sensitive Position.

Special Instructions:

N/A

Benefits:

For information regarding our Benefits, click here.

EEO Statement:

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit -- and takes actions to prevent -- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence) and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities and employment practices. The University of North Texas System immediately investigates complaints of discrimination and takes remedial action when appropriate. The University of North Texas System also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, or testify, assist or participate in an investigative proceeding or hearing.