Program Specialist (Non-Profit) jobs in Gastonia, NC

CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Guidance Counselor WORKING TITLE: Wellness Counselor and Program Specialist DEPARTMENT: Counseling Services POSITION LOCATION: Morganton POSTING DATE: September 12, 2023 CLOSING DATE: Open until filled APPOINTMENT PERIOD: October – June 30, 2024 WORKING HOURS: Monday – Friday with some weekend work and shared on-call rotation ANTICIPATED HOURS PER WEEK: 40 hours per week HOURLY RATE: Commensurate with education and experience

NCSSM and the Student Life division foster an environment of collaboration across departments and divisions and support community-engaged service and research. NCSSM is proud of the diversity of its student body and we seek to attract an equally diverse applicant pool for this position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. If you are an individual with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process, please contact us at hr@ncssm.edu.

Description of Duties:

The position reports to the Director of Counseling and Wellness and provides counseling and programming.

• Provide wellness counseling to students utilizing a variety of best-practice, evidence-based theories, techniques, skills, and strategies;


• Provide crisis intervention to students with acute needs and chronic mental health needs;


• Assess students in crisis for possible suicide and/or harm to self or others, providing necessary follow-up with family/guardian and NCSSM community, as well as collaborate and refer to mental health providers;


• Share on-call responses to students experiencing significant mental health-related needs and concerns;


• Develop individualized support plans to meet the emotional, personal, and academic needs of students and assist in the implementation of those plans;


• Develop safety plans with students to address suicidal plans, ideation, and/or self-harm;


• Research evidenced-based, best-practice programs to increase students’ resiliency, improve mental health, and foster positive mental health;


• Oversee the planning and coordination of wellness and psychoeducational programming. Topics would include coping strategies, resilience, healthy relationships, mindfulness, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulation, and stress management, which would benefit them now and as they move from high school to a UNC system school or other college/university, or job/career;


• Develop and implement mental health and wellness programming for parents/guardians to increase their awareness of how to understand better, support, and care for their children.


• Develop and implement programming for faculty and staff to improve mental health first responder responses for students with mental health needs.


• Support families in identifying and accessing mental health providers;


• Collaborate with mental health providers to address student needs;


• Facilitate parent/guardian-student meetings;


• Facilitate group counseling sessions with students;


• Collaborate and facilitate communication with students, parents, teachers, faculty, staff, medical personnel, administrators, and mental health professionals to ensure that students’ emotional, residential, academic, and other needs are supported;


• Participate in residential school programs, including social events and activities;


• This position is required to work on-site.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Individual and group counseling skills, techniques, and strategies that promote personal and social growth and academic success;


• Knowledge of American School Counselor Association Ethical Standards for School Counselors;


• Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional issues related to minors, students, and school settings;


• Knowledge of mandatory reporting laws;


• Knowledge of individual and group counseling theories and best practices;


• Skilled in human development and growth mindset;


• Ability to utilize technology and other resources to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of practices, policies, and procedures;

• Ability to utilize technology effectively and assist in the planning, organization, and implementation of the NCSSM school counseling program and support student needs;


• Ability to demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability;


• Ability to interact in a positive manner with diverse constituents including students, faculty, staff, and the public while upholding the intent and integrity of NCSSM policies and procedures;


• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally with internal and external constituents and build relationships to deliver a high level of service;


• Ability to function as an integral member of a professional and diverse team.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Master’s degree in Counselor Education, Social Work, or a related human services field.

Minimum of two years of experience working with students in an educational setting at the secondary or college level.

Preferred Education and Experience:

Licensed clinical mental health professional, i.e. LCMHC, LCSW, or other equivalent NC clinical licensure