Mental Health Counselor

SUNY Niagara is seeking a compassionate and skilled Mental Health Counselor to join our Health & Wellness Center team. This position plays a critical role in supporting student success by providing confidential mental health and behavioral health counseling services. The Counselor assists students in navigating social, emotional, and psychological challenges, while also serving as the College’s primary responder for mental health crises.

The Counselor serves as the primary mental health crisis management response professional and acts as the lead professional for mental health evaluation of students. It is expected that the Counselor provide referrals for students, as appropriate, to professionals of agencies in or outside of the community to obtain assistance.

The Mental Health Counselor will provide individual and group clinical supervision for the Health & Wellness Center LMSW’s on staff on a weekly and/or bimonthly basis depending on the status of the LMSW. As a member of the Wellness Center, the Counselor is also responsible for providing campus outreach and programming in the area of personal wellness with emphasis on mental health issues and education. The Licensed Clinician functions under the direction of the Supervisor of the Wellness Center who may define or limit the work to be performed. Does related work as required.

To be successful in this role, the Mental Health Counselor must have excellent knowledge of the principles, methods, procedures and practices of social work. The Counselor must also have knowledge of the functioning community mental health programs and facilities and the scope of services rendered as well as community resources and how to use them effectively with others.

SUNY Niagara provides phenomenal benefits to our employees. Please visit to view our benefits https://sunyniagara.edu/hr/benefits/ offerings. SUNY Niagara’s exceptional work environment fosters growth and personal fulfillment. As an employee, you can expect:

Work-Life Balance: When employees can balance their work and personal lives, they are happier, more productive, and better positioned to support our students. At SUNY Niagara, generous paid time off, holiday, and leave policies make this possible. Our college closes for winter break from late December through early January and a week in mid-March for spring recess. In the summer, employees observe a four-day workweek, allowing them to enjoy all that Western New York offers.

Professional Growth: SUNY Niagara cares about employees’ professional advancement and development. You will have access to ongoing training, programs, and workshops. We support career growth and encourage employees to pursue further education.

Welcoming Culture: SUNY Niagara values the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and social justice as they create a sense of belonging for our students and employees. We foster a collaborative culture that respects and appreciates different perspectives, ideas, and backgrounds which contribute to the richness of our institution. We believe that our diverse, inclusive community enriches the experiences of students and employees alike.

Meaningful Work: At SUNY Niagara, your work will directly impact the lives of our students and the region we serve. Our college is for all who are passionate about teaching and focused on supporting students. Our small class sizes facilitate engagement. You will shape students’ futures, prepare them for successful careers, and empower them to contribute to society. Your dedication and expertise will propel students to achieve their educational goals.

Become part of an institution that values employees, positively impacts students’ lives, and invests in its community.

1. Conducts independent assessment of mental health status and need for treatment/counseling, risk and lethality assessments, intake and screening of new students, evaluating and providing counseling services;

2. Independently triages cases based on clinical need, risk and acuity for initial evaluation and for follow-up by SUNY Niagara counseling and/or by off campus mental health providers;

3. Provides individual counseling including, but not limited to, psychoeducation and intervention;

4. Provides social work services to help students adjust to their social environment;

5. Provides individual and group clinical supervision for LMSW’s on staff in the Wellness Center as per the NYS Department of Education guidelines;

6. Responsible for maintaining records of the supervised experience, including client contact hours and supervision hours, and submitting verification of the LMSW applicant’s (for LCSW) experience to the NYS Department of Education as per the NYS Office of Professions guidelines;

7. Processes, tracks, and follows-up on requests for mental hygiene evaluations, coordinates with other mental health providers and/or agencies;

8. Completes work and statistical reports and summaries such as daily service logs, referrals, and monthly/annual reports;

9. Coordinates with hospitals and other facilities for mental health emergencies;

10. May provide case or care management as defined by state and federal regulations to refer and link individuals with treatment programs and other social service agencies and medical providers;

11. Maintains documentation and case records;

12. Input confidential information regarding student encounters and related information into the EMR system;

13. Plans with the community mental health team and with community mental health and medical agencies to relate the student’s treatment and rehabilitation program to their social situation prior to their discharge from said agencies;

14. Maintains information on community and health resources which can be utilized during the students’ care and for subsequent referral if needed;

15. Participates in the process of transfer of students to other levels of treatment, as appropriate;

16. Does not supervise Support Staff but may assign work for mental health related events and coordinate with outside agencies when necessary;

17. Provides student advocacy and crisis intervention;

18. Evaluate student needs and develop educational programming and/or outreach related to relevant mental health issues;

19. Work collaboratively with full-time 12-month Counselor in the Wellness Center to develop and implement programming for Alcohol and Other Drugs as required by the NYS Board of Education Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act;

20. Work collaboratively with college personnel including Security, Vice President of Student Services, Campus Housing, faculty and staff to address student concerns;

21. Meets regularly with Supervisor to review caseload and to receive direction and support in areas such as, but not limited to, assessment, individual counseling, crisis intervention, student advocacy, case review, and other associated areas;
22. Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

SUNY Niagara is a thriving educational institution located between the picturesque landscapes of Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, NY. Our college serves a diverse student population and is committed to providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment. With a commitment to academic excellence and student success, SUNY Niagara offers a supportive and collaborative environment for both faculty and staff.

SUNY Niagara is an accredited institution of higher education that offers high-quality academic programs leading to degrees and certificates that are supported by outstanding student services. The top 4 majors of our students are Liberal Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Psychology, and Criminal Justice. In 2023, SUNY Niagara ranked #1 in graduation rate among community colleges in New York State!

SUNY Niagara provides a variety of cultural, athletic, social, and international experiences, as well as community education, small business, and workforce development that supports economic development that positively impacts the quality of life of valued stakeholders. The college operates through a collegial model of shared governance and transparency and is accountable for meeting the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.

SUNY Niagara has two locations in western New York consisting of 287 acres and 11 buildings. The Sanborn, campus is minutes from Buffalo, Niagara Falls, and the Canadian border and is centrally located between the county’s three main cities of Lockport, Niagara Falls, and North Tonawanda. The Sanborn campus offers a traditional college experience with world-class academics, knowledgeable faculty members, state-of-the-art classrooms, NJCAA athletics, and on-campus housing. We continue to invest in our facilities with the addition of the Learning Commons Center, which has become the nucleus of the campus; a place for faculty to collaborate and help students develop critical thinking skills while incorporating state-of-the-art technology and innovative student support services. We also modernized our campus dining commons, providing quality meal options in a sleek, comfortable, collaborative environment.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute (NFCI) is located in the heart of one of the world’s biggest tourist destinations, Niagara Falls. Fully outfitted with modern labs and tools for students to use as they train in both classic and trendy techniques, NFCI is home to Culinary Arts, Baking and Pastry Arts, and Hospitality programs. The college also operates Savor, a fine dining restaurant, and La Patisserie, a European-style pastry café, at NFCI.

Our college nurtures and empowers its students and employees in ways that recognize and value our common humanity as well as the richness of our diversity. SUNY Niagara welcomes applicants who want to join a leading regional institution that provides a dynamic, educational environment, responds to students’ current and emerging needs, and strengthens its community. At SUNY Niagara we embrace diversity and promote inclusion throughout the institution by recognizing, accepting, and celebrating differences within our campus and surrounding communities. Therefore, we desire and pursue candidates who share those principles and encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply to our positions.