This is an internal posting for candidates who are already employed at Northwest Missouri State University. Only internal candidates within Wellness Services will be considered for this position.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS: Full-time, 12-month position

PRIMARY DUTY: The Director of Counseling Services provides clinical and administrative leadership for counseling services within Northwest Missouri State University’s integrated Wellness Services model. The Director of Counseling Services is responsible for ensuring the delivery of ethical, evidence-based, current best practices, and accessible counseling services, including short-term individual and group counseling, crisis assessment and intervention, outreach, and the coordination of care for students with both acute and ongoing mental health needs. Working collaboratively with student health clinic and education and prevention services, the Director of Counseling Services supports a comprehensive, student-centered approach to wellbeing. As a key member of the University Wellness Services Leadership Team, the Director of Counseling Services contributes to strategic planning, policy development, assessment, and continuous quality improvement related to mental health and student wellbeing to ensure high-quality, responsive counseling services for undergraduate and graduate students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide clinical and administrative leadership for a comprehensive counseling services program utilizing short-term, individual, and group counseling consistent with higher education best practices; ensure appropriate intake, assessment, crisis intervention, and referral for students presenting with a wide range of developmental, transitional, and mental health concerns.

2. Provide leadership and direction for counseling services within the University’s integrated Wellness Services model, supporting a coordinated, student-centered approach to health, mental health, and prevention services.

3. Recruit, hire, supervise, and evaluate counseling staff, graduate assistants, interns, and practicum students; provide or oversee clinical supervision in accordance with licensure and professional standards.

4. Provide direct clinical services to students and maintain a limited caseload to support service access, clinical quality, and staff consultation.

5. Lead counseling-related crisis response and risk assessment efforts, including coordination with campus partners and referral to appropriate on-campus and off-campus resources.

6. Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with Student Affairs, academic departments, and other campus partners to support student wellbeing, academic success, retention, and crisis response.

7. Develop and maintain partnerships with community mental health providers, hospitals, and crisis services to ensure continuity of care for students requiring services beyond the scope of campus counseling.

8. Serve as an active member of the University Behavioral Intervention Team and provide consultation regarding student mental health concerns, risk management, and intervention strategies.

9. Provide consultation and guidance to University leadership, faculty, and staff regarding student mental health, behavioral concerns, and best practices for support and referral.

10. Develop and deliver outreach, prevention, and educational programming for students and the campus community on mental health and wellbeing topics.

11. Oversee the assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement of counseling services, including utilization data, including access, wait times, outcomes, and service delivery trends.

12. Ensure compliance with ethical standards, legal requirements, licensure regulations, and University policies related to the delivery of counseling services; provide training and guidance to staff on relevant laws, policies, and professional standards.

13. Participate in Student Affairs and University committees, working groups, and initiatives relevant to student wellbeing, mental health, and institutional priorities.

14. Engage in program evaluation, quality improvement, and applied research activities as appropriate to enhance counseling services and inform evidence-based practice.

15. Perform other duties as assigned in support of the mission and goals of Wellness Services and the University.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education: Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field from an accredited college or university

Certification/License: Licensed or license-eligible in Missouri

Experience: 5-7 years of progressively responsible experience in a mental health/counseling setting; at least 2-3 years of experience in clinical supervision, administrative duties or leadership responsibilities, crisis assessment and intervention, and experience collaborating with campus partners and contributing to policies, procedures, and service delivery within higher education or comparable setting

Skills: Excellent leadership, communication, counseling, and people skills

WORKING CONDITIONS: This position works primarily during standard business hours and may be required to work additional hours, including evenings and weekends, in support of crisis response and institutional needs.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Position requires minimal supervision and supervises staff counselors, one graduate assistant, practicum students, and internship program students.

EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS USED: Computer, fax, copier, electronic medical record system

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and the ability to sit and stand for long periods of time

COMMUNITY: Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri, a community of 12,000 with a diverse economy and a strong industrial base. Maryville is located 45 miles north of St. Joseph, Missouri, 90 miles north of Kansas City, Missouri, and 110 miles southeast of Omaha, Nebraska. For more information visit the city’s website at With an enrollment of about 9,000 students, Northwest is a coeducational, primarily residential four-year university that offers a broad range of undergraduate and selected graduate programs on its Maryville campus and through Northwest Online.

Founded in 1905 and ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top public regional universities in the Midwest, Northwest boasts a high retention rate and a graduation rate in the 95th percentile among its peers. Additionally, results of the Ruffalo Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory show Northwest students are more satisfied than students at national peers, and 78 percent of Northwest students report they would repeat their University experience, compared to 75 percent of students surveyed nationally at their respective institutions.

Furthermore, the University is a national model for student success and career placement, with 93 percent of bachelor’s degree earners and 99 percent of master’s degree earners securing employment or continuing their education within six months of completing a degree at Northwest, according to the most recent data.

Northwest places a high emphasis on profession-based learning to help graduates get a jumpstart on their careers while maintaining competitive tuition rates and generous financial assistance to help minimize the financial barriers students may face when pursuing a college degree.

Students have opportunities to build their résumés with experiences on campus in nearly every area of study, including the Horace Mann Laboratory School, National Public Radio affiliate KXCV, the R.T. Wright Farm, Mozingo Outdoor Education Recreation Area, a partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency or Knacktive, a student-driven integrated digital marketing communications agency. In conjunction with its emergency and disaster management program, Northwest organizes and hosts Missouri Hope, an annual mass casualty training exercise that attracts first responders and emergency workers from throughout the nation and provides hands-on training in preparation for a natural disaster.

The University’s vibrant and diverse learning community also offers more than 150 student organizations, and textbooks and a laptop are included in tuition, saving students an estimated $6,900 over four years. Northwest offers 1,200 student employment positions, allowing students to build professional skills through its internationally benchmarked student employment program.

For more information about Northwest and its performance, visit DEADLINE: April 8, 2026

DATE AVAILABLE: June 1, 2026

TO APPLY: Follow the steps of the online application process. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at 660-562-1121 or email ewilmes@nwmissouri.edu if more information is needed regarding the process.