Mental Health Counselor

Location: Syracuse, NY Category: Staff (CSEA, PA, MC, Foundation) Job Type: Full Time - 12 Months Professional Administrator Posted On: Mon Jul 20 2026 Job Description:

BROAD FUNCTION

Mental Health Counselors provide a professional, confidential, and safe environment which fosters the wellbeing, resiliency, and holistic development of all students. As a mental health counselor, the Counselor will meet with students individually and/or in small groups to address various topics such as, adjusting to college, mental health needs and/or personal concerns. They will provide individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, case management services, and collaboration with campus and community resources to a diverse population of college students. The Counselor will work in collaboration with community agencies to create longer term assistance to ensure continuity of care for the student and will assist with outreach and campus events.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Using individual or group modalities, provide flexible, responsive, high-quality and evidence-based short-term counseling services to students

• Conduct initial contact and initial evaluation of students, including determining appropriate disposition and referral

• Provide crisis intervention in selected emergent/crisis intervention situations

• Complete suicide assessments for our students in distress

• Maintain confidential student files and appropriate record-keeping, according professional, ethical, and legal standards

• Design and implement psycho-educational programming on a broad range of issues

• Attend staff meetings, committee meeting and professional development opportunities, meeting identified expectations of each

• Request and provide consultation and/or support as needed from supervisor and other members of the team

• Complete and remain up to date on required training as necessary and appropriate

• Provide participants with links to community resources to help meet their needs

• May mentor interns or students from graduate programs.

• Participate in CARE team case management support

• Manage administrative duties including scheduling, record keeping, and collateral engagement

• Develop and implement individual goal plans when appropriate.

• Develop and implement programs which target pertinent and relevant topics congruent with our college population.

• Interface with academic departments, other college offices, and student groups to assess program needs and develop appropriate responses.

• Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's Degree in a health-related field from an accredited university, college or foreign equivalency

• Licensed to practice counseling independently in New York State (LCAT, LMFT, LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, Licensed psychologist)

• Minimum one year of professional experience (1 year of graduate experience will count as .5 years of professional experience)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two years of professional experience in Higher Education

• Community College experience

• Experience working within diverse populations

• Background in triaging client crisis or urgency levels

• Bilingual in English and Spanish. English and other languages will be considered.

• Specialty area of practice (i.e.- Anger Management, De-Escalation, Conflict Resolution, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse/CASAC, PTSD, Justice System navigation, Immigrant and Refugee Populations, LGBTQ+)

• Ability to complete comprehensive diagnostic evaluation, using, at minimum, knowledge of the DSM-5 and mental health diagnoses within the ICD-10

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Outstanding interpersonal skills and ability to work closely with peers and interdisciplinary team

• Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of disadvantaged students

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and effectively

• Demonstrated commitment to personal and departmental development, professionalism, multicultural education, creativity, collaboration, and initiative

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and effectively prioritize among competing needs

• Ability to utilize assessment to guide initiative development

• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional and sensitive manner

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse student population, parents and staff

• Possess a willingness to take initiative on new projects and embrace change

Additional Information:

• Salary range is: $64,420 - $80,526, commensurate with credentials and relevant experience.

• Onondaga Community College offers a generous and competitive benefits package including:

• New York State Local Retirement System (pension) or an Optional Retirement Plan (401a).

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance plans (qualifying domestic partner included).

• Onondaga Community College participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for eligible borrowers.