Veteran Counselor for Virtual Center of Excellence for Veteran Student Success

LOCATION:  Wayland Baptist University (WBU) – Plainview Campus 

DEPARTMENT:  External Campuses 

SUPERVISED BY:  Vice President of External Campuses – Project Director 

POSITION CLASSIFICATION:  Exempt 

POSITIONS SUPERVISED:  None 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The Veteran Counselor is responsible for supporting student development and success and for the development, implementation, and coordination of a comprehensive program of mental health and disability services for veteran students. 

(This is a 12-month/full-time, professional position funded as part of a three-year, Department of Education grant.  The position is expected to extend beyond the grant based on the success of the project.)

GENERAL TASKS AND DUTIES:

• Provide professional counseling services to veteran students
• Make appropriate counseling referrals to mental health professionals and specialists
• Establish and manage support groups to address specific veteran issues such as trauma, depression and suicide prevention, substance abuse, and the like
• Provide periodic training for faculty and staff on identification and management of classroom crises involving veteran and other students and respond to crisis situations as required
• Plan and develop outreach programs to the veteran student population to increase awareness of available services and to encourage use of those services
• Oversee and participate in on call weekend and evening crisis response
• Participate in or chair university committees, particularly those emphasizing veteran issues
• Provide system-wide direct coordination of accommodation services for qualified veteran and other students with disabilities
• Monitor compliance with applicable regulations governing counseling and disability services
• Compile and prepare reports, evaluations, and surveys of veteran counseling program activities/services to inform the evaluator and Project Coordinator’s Department of Education reports, and ultimately to evaluate program effectiveness.
• Provide training to faculty in developing reasonable approaches to accommodate disabilities of veteran and other students.
• Collaborate with faculty in the development of academic and emotional support strategies to ensure compliance with students' listed accommodations Provide recommendations for assistive technologies and other resources to support instructional and mental health strategies.

The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job.  Employee may perform other related duties as assigned by the Project Director.

EDUCATION: Master’s degree required in counseling or related field. State recognized counseling license is required. Must have or complete QPR Gatekeeper Certification (or similar) training within one year of hire. Status as a veteran or documented significant work with military and veteran populations is preferred.

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE:

• One year of both supervised counseling experience and experience with disability services
• Experience working with veteran students in higher education is preferred.

 SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

•  Familiarity with military and veteran student issues
• Ability to communicate professionally using accepted standards of counseling practice
• Demonstrates flexibility, patience, and skills in a variety of counseling techniques
• Commitment to observe confidentiality protocols and act consistently with counseling best practices
• Capability to serve in a “train the trainer” role for veteran students, other students, faculty and staff.

Employment is subject to an introductory period to monitor employee performance.   If hired, the prospective employee must present documentation within three (3) days of hire date to establish their identity and employment eligibility as required by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Employee must be able and willing to travel and teach at external campuses.  Must be able to operate a licensed motor vehicle, have access to a dependable motor vehicle, and possess a valid state driver’s license.  Must have and maintain a satisfactory driver’s record.

Wayland Baptist University does not illegally discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Under federal law, the university may discriminate on the basis of religion in order to fulfill its mission and purposes.