Director of Counseling and Psychological Services

Bennington College invites applications for a Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Reporting to the Associate Dean and Director of Integrative Wellness, the CAPS Director provides vision, strategic planning, and supervision to a multidisciplinaryteam, serving as a clinical psychotherapist, overseeing clinical and administrative supervision and programmatic development, increasing student access, and promoting holistic and integrative student care and support.

Bennington College’s Health Center functions as an integrative care center offering both medical and counseling services in collaboration with the Wellness Unit, necessitating this position’s ability to work in close partnership with the Director of Health Services to support overall wellness operations. Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, therapy, educational programming, and outreach activities. The therapeutic approach is trauma-informed, emphasizing student-centered relationships.

Bennington serves a diverse student population inclusive of members of ethnically/racially minoritized, international, LGBTQIA+, and disability communities, as well as diverse gender identities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, and political beliefs. Our staff and faculty also reflect diverse and intersecting backgrounds and identities. All employees are expected to be respectful and responsive to these differences in the service of building a community that promotes student and employee success and community cohesiveness. Each individual (faculty, staff and students) will be accountable for upholding these values. The College’s approach to pluralism and inclusivity—both as fields of inquiry and practice—is to prioritize flexible thought, and to invite the examination of access, value, power, and privilege through its institutional policies and areas of study. We encourage applicants from diverse realms of interest, backgrounds, experience, and accomplishment to apply.

Schedule and Work Arrangement

The position is generally full-time during the academic term (35 hours/week for 32 weeks) and part-time during the non-term periods (~20 hours/week for 20 weeks). The role may involve working extended shifts on occasion, which could include evenings or weekends, requiring availability for crises and emergency evaluations. Additionally, the position requires some travel to various off-site clinical locations.

Responsibilities

1. Provides professional mental health services to the students on campus - includes evaluations, ongoing treatment (individual and group), and crisis intervention.
2. Oversees clinical and administrative aspects of CAPS; manages crisis intervention, and serves as a clinical psychotherapist to support the emotional and mental health/well-being of students.
3. Oversees the administration of the student health insurance policy with the Associate Dean of Integrative Wellness and works with the Administrative Assistant and Biller to oversee the tracking of billable and non-billable student visits. Develops and directs procedures for patient billing with/to the appropriate health insurance carrier.
4. Works in collaboration with Student Life units (including Health Services, Wellness Education, Campus Safety, Residence Life and Student Engagement) to educate the community and to ensure the care and safety of students on campus.
5. Establishes and ensures adherence to clinical protocol and related policies.
6. Hires and supervises professional clinical staff; ensures training and clinical expertise are maintained. Provides supervision to interns.
7. Coordinates with United Counseling Services and a virtual provider to respond to student crises. Oversees the secondary on-call rotation.
8. Keeps and maintains professional medical records of all clinical work.
9. Provide mental health consultancy to staff and faculty and all offices on campus, and work effectively with families and referring clinicians. Ensures continuity of care with external agencies/providers.
10. Ensures adherence to Vermont standards of care.
11. Serves on relevant college committees and working groups.
12. Other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

1. An earned master’s in clinical mental health counseling, counseling psychology, counselor education, or social work from an accredited program.
2. A current license to practice psychology, counseling, or social work, or the ability to be licensed in Vermont within six months of hire.
3. A minimum of five (5) years of experience as a licensed clinician in a college or university counseling center or similar setting.
4. A history of successive leadership roles in a college/university counseling center or similar setting.
5. Outstanding communications skills and an adherence to ethical standards.
6. Understanding and appreciation for diverse approaches to mental wellness.
7. Experience working with and relating to students and a deep dedication to improving the health and well-being of the college student population, with an understanding of confidential and ethical matters within a higher education setting.
8. Strong cultural competence in working with diverse populations and a successful track record addressing issues of equity and inclusion with students, parents, faculty, and administrators.
9. Excellent managerial leadership skills, including the ability to develop and implement strategic objectives, to motivate staff, and to effectively manage resources.
10. Knowledge of local, national, and international issues, trends, and best practicestandards in college mental health as well as of national certification and accreditation requirements.
11. Experience with electronic health records.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion and acceptable results of a background check.

Compensation: The salary for this position starts at $90,000.

The College

Bennington College offers a comprehensive benefits program that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, retirement, and tuition benefits, including Tuition Exchange scholarships. The College also offers an on-site fitness center as well as generous time off benefits.

Bennington College is a small residential liberal arts college in southern Vermont, long distinguished for its progressive approach to higher education. The College was founded in 1932 on the principle of active engagement in learning, which is manifest in individualized plans of study developed by students together with faculty. We serve a diverse student population, and our faculty and staff also reflect diverse backgrounds and identities. Our aim is to educate students towards self-fulfillment and constructive social purposes, and we believe that equity, diversity, and inclusivity--in community and in curriculum--are vital to achieving those aims.

Nestled at the foot of the Green Mountains in Vermont, the campus consists of approximately 370 acres. The College was named one of ten with the best architecture by Architectural Digest. From campus, it is a short drive to the cultural offerings of the northern Berkshires in Massachusetts, Albany, New York, and many of Vermont’s top recreational centers. New York City, Boston, and Burlington, Vermont are all within three and a half hours by car.