Staff Counselor, Generalist

Position Summary

Under the supervision of the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), provides direct mental health services to eligible students. Conducts diagnostic assessment, crisis intervention, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, consultation, psychoeducation, and case coordination for students presenting with a broad range of mental health concerns. Provides outreach, prevention programming, and consultation to the university community and documents all clinical services in a timely and accurate manner consistent with professional, legal, ethical, and departmental standards. Maintains professional competence and provides services in accordance with established standards of care and applicable laws and ethical guidelines.

Duties/Responsibilities 

Conduct diagnostic assessments using clinical interviews, observation, screening instruments, and other clinically appropriate methods to evaluate students' mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs. Formulate diagnoses consistent with the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Develop case conceptualizations and treatment plans informed by clinical theory, research, multicultural competence, and evidence-based practices.

Provide evidence-based individual counseling and group counseling to students presenting with a broad range of concerns and levels of clinical need through in-person and tele-behavioral health services.

Maintain a clinical caseload within a brief-treatment model as determined in collaboration with the Director of CAPS.

Establish effective therapeutic relationships, monitor treatment progress, and modify interventions as clinically indicated.

Complete clinical documentation in a timely and accurate manner consistent with professional, legal, ethical, and departmental standards.

Conduct risk assessments, provide crisis intervention, determine appropriate levels of care, and facilitate access to emergency services, including voluntary and involuntary hospitalization when clinically indicated.

Coordinate care and facilitate referrals with community providers, medical professionals, university departments, and other support systems when clinically indicated and consistent with student consent and confidentiality requirements.

Collaborate with graduate trainees as members of the CAPS team and provide support, consultation, and occasional clinical supervision, as assigned, to assist in trainee development and promote adherence to professional standards and evidence-based practice.

Provide consultation and support to students, faculty, staff, families, and other concerned parties regarding student mental health concerns.

Develop, implement, and facilitate outreach programs, workshops, prevention initiatives, and educational programming that promotes student mental health, well-being, and help-seeking behaviors.

Participate in departmental assessment, program evaluation, and continuous quality improvement efforts designed to enhance student outcomes and service effectiveness.

Maintain professional competence through continuing education, professional association involvement, training, and other professional development activities.

Practice within professional competencies, licensure requirements, and applicable legal and ethical standards.

Perform other duties logically associated with the position as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, or a closely related behavioral health field.

Must possess one of the following: Independent licensure in Indiana as an LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, or equivalent behavioral health license; or
Associate, provisional, temporary, or other license-eligible status recognized by the State of Indiana (including LMHCA, LSW, LMFTA, or equivalent) with eligibility to obtain the independent licensure status within 30 months of hire.

Candidates currently licensed in another state who are eligible to obtain Indiana licensure are required to obtain the Indiana independent licensure within one year of start date.

Broad knowledge of mental health theories, psychopathology, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and evidence-based interventions.

Knowledge of tele-behavioral health practice, including ethical, legal, technological, and confidentiality considerations.

Knowledge of professional ethics, mental health law, confidentiality requirements, and risk management practices.

Knowledge of the developmental, psychological, and behavioral health concerns common among traditional and non-traditional college students.

Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

Ability to manage a high-volume caseload while responding effectively to crisis situations.

Commitment to collaborative practice and partnership within CAPS, Student Affairs, the university community and the community at large.

Basic computer proficiency and experience with electronic health record systems.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

Fully licensed in the state of Indiana to provide clinical services independently (LMHC, LCSW, LMFT, etc.).

Experience providing counseling services in a college or university counseling center.

Experience facilitating group counseling, psychoeducational programming, or crisis intervention services.

Experience working with college-age populations and students from diverse backgrounds.

Special skills and experience related to substance use, underserved student populations with systemic barriers, trauma treatment, or other areas of clinical need.

Experience with electronic health record systems, including Titanium Schedule

Functional Requirements

The application of effective interpersonal communication skills with students, their families, faculty, and staff, even when strong emotions are expressed. Must establish rapport, build trust, problem-solve, and maintain confidentiality in clinical situations.

Effective management of conflict, stress and anger. Must always present a consistently professional demeanor, even in difficult, negative, or frustrating situations.

A high degree of skill in identifying situations that require immediate action or intervention.

Remaining in a stationary position at a desk or workstation for extended periods of time for most assigned duties.

Ability to use computers and computer systems (hardware and software) to set up functions, to enter data, to retrieve, to process information and to create documents.

Physical access occasionally to other workstations, departments, and conference rooms to meet with students, faculty, and staff, or to attend presentations and events.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI    

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees, spouses, and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Dr. Robin Sanabria, search committee chair, at rlsanabria@usi.edu.

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials by October 26, 2026.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI typically will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the Associate Director of Human Resources, Constance Hermann, at cjhermann1@usi.edu or (812) 461-5363. Contacting the Associate Director of Human Resources is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities