Mount Saint Vincent University

The Manager, Counselling Services is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic direction, and management of Counselling Services and supervision of the Career and Experiential Education Coordinator in Career Services.

The Manager leads and manages the day-to-day structure of counselling such as supervising counsellors and interns, scheduling, answering counselling and mental health related questions on campus, providing counselling to students for a wide variety of personal issues, referrals, and case consultation. The Manager also· supports the department in working with a diverse student population using a biopsychosocial model of mental health and development to support the personal and academic successes of students. The key areas of accountability for this position include implementation of policies and procedures for identifying the needs of distressed students; managing mental health related emergencies; supervising mental health professionals; and providing mental health literacy training for faculty, staff, and students.

The Manager, Counselling Services also oversees the development of processes to identify the risk and protective factors on individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community/societal levels that are associated with mental health, suicide, and mental health disorders on campus. The Manager oversees the implementation of pro-active mental health education programs and works with community institutions and community partners to develop and establish departmental goals and objectives consistent with the University's strategic plan, while assessing programs and services. An essential component of this role is the ability to effectively engage with community mental health partners to ensure that the network of community supports can be employed to assist in meeting student needs.

You possess a Master's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling or a related field, and a minimum of 5 years of related work experience including supervisory experience. Candidates must be eligible for registration with the relevant professional regulatory body such as the Nova Scotia Board of Psychologists (NSBEP), Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) or the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists (NSCCT). Additionally, the Manager requires considerable experience in the provision and coordination of service, including conducting therapy, planning, and implementing/evaluating programs, as well as conducting research. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team are essential. Previous counselling experience in a Post-Secondary environment and experience in using Electronic Medical Records are assets for this role.

Recognized as a leader in distance and experiential learning, and based on a strong tradition of social responsibility, Mount Saint Vincent University takes a personalized approach to education to nurture socially responsible global citizens. Founded in 1873, the Mount has been nationally recognized for having one of the lowest student-to-professor ratios, for providing students early access to valuable research opportunities, for its legacy in the advancement of women, and for facilitating critical advancements in food security, healthy aging, literacy, and childhood development. The Mount believes that our people are our foundation and our relationships are built on respect and accountability. Please visit www.msvu.ca to learn more about us.