Salary: $140,000.00 - $153,000.00 Annually Location: NY, NY Job Type: Full Time Job Number: 202500295 Department: Counseling Center Closing:
About Pratt
Pratt Institute provides the creative leaders of tomorrow the professional knowledge and experience to make a better world. A world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and sciences, and information studies, Pratt offers nearly 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
The Institute's impact expands beyond its 25-acre residential campus in Brooklyn to cutting-edge facilities throughout the borough, a landmark building and public gallery in Manhattan, as well as an extension campus, Pratt Munson College of Art and Design in Utica, New York. On Governors Island, Pratt is a core partner on the Stony Brook University team selected to develop the New York Climate Exchange, a research and educational hub poised to establish New York City as the global leader for the most pressing issue of our time: climate change. Another extension of Pratt's campus is the Research Yard, a 20,000-square-foot facility that brings together the research activities of Pratt Institute under one roof in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (BNY).
Since our founding in 1887, Pratt has upheld the belief that education should be accessible to all who wish to learn. As a community, we define ourselves as standard setters who are:
Resourceful and collaborative problem solvers,
Socially responsible and equity-centered creatives,
Adaptable and resilient global stewards,
Inquisitive and compassionate community members.
Description
The Director of Counseling Services provides visionary and strategic leadership for the Institute's Counseling Services, which operates within the newly built Student Wellness Center. This Director leads the evolution of a student-centered, community-focused clinical service model that emphasizes accessible brief therapy, effective crisis intervention, and strong outreach efforts.
The Director oversees all clinical, administrative, personnel, and budgetary functions of Counseling Services, ensuring services are accessible, culturally responsive, and aligned with the Institute's mission and current mental health best practices for higher education. This position serves as the primary mental health expert and consultant for the campus community and plays a critical role in the integrated care model.
Examples of Duties
The Director's responsibilities are organized into three core areas, ranked by strategic importance for this role: 1. Strategic Leadership, Reform, and Integration (40%)
Service Model Redesign: Lead the comprehensive review and reform of the Counseling Center's clinical service model to meet the needs of a diverse, community-focused college counseling center. Prioritize implementing brief, time-limited, solution-focused interventions, crisis management, and rapid triage/referral systems.
Integration and Collaboration: Serve as a key member of the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Center's leadership team. Develop and enforce collaborative protocols with Health Services, Health Promotion, and other campus partners to ensure seamless, holistic student care.
Policy and Assessment: Develop, implement, and assess departmental goals, policies, and procedures. Utilize data (e.g., utilization, satisfaction, demographic trends) to drive continuous quality improvement and ensure services are culturally humble and equitable.
Crisis System Leadership: Oversee the department's comprehensive crisis intervention and emergency management system, including the 24/7 on-call rotation (which may involve direct participation or oversight of a contracted service). Serve as the primary consultant on all student psychological emergencies, high-risk cases, and mandated hospitalizations/return assessments.
Campus Consultation and Risk Management: Serve as the lead mental health consultant for the Institute. Actively participate in the Behavioral Intervention/Assessment and Care Team (BIT/ACT) and work closely with Student Affairs, Residential Life, and Academic Leadership to manage student risk and coordinate institutional responses. Administer and interpret applicable laws (e.g., FERPA, HIPAA) impacting clinical practice.
2. Clinical and Administrative Duties (35%)
Staff Oversight: Provide direct administrative and clinical supervision to all licensed professional counseling staff. Oversee group case management, clinical records, and statistical reporting.
Personnel Management: Direct the workflow, develop performance standards, conduct performance evaluations, and oversee personnel actions (hiring, promotion, disciplinary actions) within the department.
Budget Management: Develop, administer, and monitor the departmental budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities.
Clinical Practice Standards: Ensure all clinical activities adhere to legal, ethical, and professional standards of care. Maintain strict standards for clinical records, confidentiality, and professional development for staff.
Clinical caseload: Expected to carry a small caseload of students
3. Community Engagement and Outreach (25%)
Campus Liaison: Serve as the primary liaison between Counseling Services and the entire Pratt community. Establish and maintain effective communication with administrators, faculty, and professional staff regarding student mental health needs and best practices for supporting students in distress.
Outreach and Training: In partnership with staff, develop and provide proactive mental health literacy, well-being, and suicide prevention training programs for students, faculty, and staff. Participate in key institutional programs, including New Student Orientation and Residential Life Staff Training.
Referral Network: Supervise the development of and maintain strong professional relationships with appropriate external mental health referral agencies and practitioners to support students needing specialized or long-term care.
Institutional Engagement: Participate in Institute-wide committees, task forces, and strategic planning initiatives, ensuring the student mental health perspective is integrated into broader campus policy.
Qualifications
Education:
Doctorate (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Counseling Psychology, Doctorate in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, or a related field is required.
Licensure:
Current, unrestricted license as a Health Service Provider (e.g., Psychologist) in New York State (or immediate eligibility to obtain NY licensure upon hiring).
Experience:
Minimum of five (5) years of progressive administrative and supervisory experience in a college or university counseling center, with a demonstrated record of successful clinical reform or service model development.
Knowledge & Skills:
* Demonstrated cultural competence and experience serving diverse, urban, and artistic student populations.
* Deep familiarity with current ethical, legal, and clinical issues in higher education mental health (e.g., brief therapy, crisis management, BIT/ACT protocols).
* Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and team-building skills required to lead a clinical team and engage with senior administration.
*For consideration please submit a cover letter, resume and three references.
Benefits:
Medical Dental Vision HSA Company Sponsored Basic Life & AD&D Company Sponsored Long Term Disability Flex Spending Account (Health, Dependant Care) Commuter Benefits (Transit & Parking) Disability (NYS) Voluntary Short Term Disability Voluntary Life Insurance 403B Retirement Plan Voluntary Supplemental Retirement Plan Paid Time Off (Vac & Sick)
Supplemental Information:
Reports to:
Assistant Vice President for Student Health and Well-being
Supervises: All licensed clinical staff, Coordinator for ATOD Services, and administrative support staff within Counseling Services.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.
At Pratt, we prioritize equity and have established a systematic approach to guarantee fair treatment for everyone. If your background and expertise align with the requirements of the position, you will be contacted for further instructions.
