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Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The UW Counseling Center** **has an outstanding opportunity for a Mental Health Counselor to join their team.

This role focuses on empowering **University of Washington (UW) students** through short-term mental health counseling, psycho-educational outreach, and liaising between campus health partners, directly contributing to their personal success and removing obstacles. A critical aspect of this position is championing the well-being of individuals from **underrepresented and marginalized communities** . You'll also offer expert consultation to UW faculty, staff, and students on mental health and academic challenges, fostering a positive campus environment.

Working under the clinical supervision of the UW Counseling Center, the embedded counselor will work independently within three units, **The** **School of Dentistry, The School of Public Health, and the Counseling Center,** providing in-house wellness expertise to students, faculty, and staff. **These three units each have unique cultures, communication systems, and reporting structures** .

You'll regularly engage with students experiencing psychological or academic distress, requiring strong **crisis intervention skills** and a solid understanding of **FERPA and HIPAA laws** . This position demands expertise in serving a diverse student body, with a particular emphasis on **cultural proficiency and experience working with BIPOC students, LGBTQ+, and International Students** . Your responsibilities will include consultation with faculty, staff, and administration of **Dentistry and Public Health** , as well as **Counseling Center** colleagues, alongside assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and managing appropriate referrals.

You'll also develop and deliver **wellness-focused presentations** for **Dentistry and Public Health** , including for faculty and staff, actively collaborating to cultivate a supportive environment for student mental health. As part of an interdisciplinary team, you'll contribute to enhancing UW student mental health, creating a more inclusive campus climate, and responding to mental health crises. You’ll **be a lead on Counseling Center outreach initiatives** , such as social media and communications and tabling at campus events.

You will have **an office in Dentistry and an office in Public Health** , and the day-to-day work of this role will include regular engagement with and clinical supervision from the **Counseling Center** .

The Embedded Counselor’s primary duty will be to provide clinical mental health support to students through drop-in, short term, and group counseling sessions. Additionally, the Embedded Counselor may also work with colleagues to engage in each unit’s broader educational mission by providing wellness-focused trainings, workshops, and consultation.

Key Responsibilities

+ School of Public Health – 60%

+ School of Dentistry – 30%

+ Counseling Center Outreach Duties – 10%

Summary of key responsibilities:

+ Provide a mix of individual and group counseling, with an emphasis on short-term, drop-in sessions (~10 hours/week dedicated to drop-in availability).

+ Maintain a caseload of regular clients for brief, ongoing counseling support.

+ Coordinate care and referrals for students needing longer-term or specialized services.

+ Provide virtual informal consultation sessions after 5pm, 2x/week.

+ Support crisis intervention and risk assessment as needed.

+ Respond to inquiries from faculty, advisor, and staff regarding student mental health needs.

+ Design and deliver in-person wellness trainings for students, advisors, and faculty (15–50 minutes, 3–4 times per academic quarter).

+ Host occasional wellness-focused events (1–2 per quarter) in collaboration with schools or Counseling Center.

+ Facilitate trauma-informed community response sessions when needed (e.g., listening circles following campus or societal crises).

+ Provide an annual report summarizing mental health activities and needs.

+ Maintain accurate and confidential records in accordance with university and professional standards.

+ Participate in UW Counseling Center meetings and professional development opportunities.

+ Provide an annual report summarizing mental health activities and needs for both Public Health and Dentistry.

**Required qualifications** :

+ Master's Degree in Social Work, Counseling/Clinical Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy or related field.

+ Two years of experience (can include internship) providing mental health counseling in a school or University setting.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional qualifications:

+ Licensure in the state of Washington for the independent practice of mental health counseling.

+ Evidence of outstanding skills in clinical assessment, crisis management, and psycho-education.

+ Offer therapy in a complex organization or system.

+ Demonstrated skill in working well under pressure to prioritize and manage multiple education and non-clinical responsibilities.

+ Demonstrated commitment to cultural proficiency as well to racial and social justice.

+ Demonstrated experience with project management.

**Desired qualifications and qualities** :

+ Background working with trauma.

+ Creative and self-starter.

+ Team player and bridge builder.

+ Demonstrated ability to facilitate trainings and workshops to a range of audiences.

+ Evidence of solid experience providing psychotherapy and counseling, including brief therapy.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$78,000.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$94,992.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.