Executive Director of Counseling & Access Services

Saint Leo University Brasil•San Jose, CA

13d

About The Position

The Executive Director of Counseling & Access Services provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and institutional coordination for the University’s integrated Center for Counseling & Access Services. This role advances student well-being, equitable access, retention, and success by ensuring high-quality counseling services and comprehensive access support within the mission and values of Saint Leo University. In addition to executive leadership responsibilities, the Executive Director may maintain a limited clinical caseload consistent with licensure, institutional needs, and capacity. The Executive Director provides clinical and ethical oversight of counseling operations and ensures that direct services, supervision, and consultation are delivered in accordance with professional standards.

Requirements

Master's degree in counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Higher Education Administration, or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Current licensure as a mental health professional (required).
Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in counseling, access/disability services, or student support services within higher education.
Demonstrated experience with supervision, compliance, budget management, and institutional leadership.
In-depth knowledge of college student mental health issues, access and disability law, and ethical practice standards.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership for the Center for Counseling & Access Services, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities related to student success, wellness, equity, and belonging.
Develop and implement a unified strategic vision integrating counseling and access services while preserving professional standards and specialized expertise.
Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs on student mental health trends, access needs, crisis response, and institutional risk.
Provide administrative and clinical oversight of counseling services to ensure ethical practice, licensure compliance, and adherence to professional standards.
Establish and maintain appropriate clinical supervision and consultation structures, including internal licensed supervision and/or external consultation as needed.
Oversee crisis response protocols, referral processes, and coordination with campus partners including Residence Life, Campus Safety, Health Services, and Threat Assessment teams.
Support prevention, outreach, and educational programming related to mental health, substance use, and student well-being.
Monitor counseling service utilization, outcomes, and capacity to inform staffing, resource allocation, and service delivery decisions.
Provide executive oversight of Access Services while preserving the Director of Access Services’ authority related to eligibility determinations and accommodation decisions.
Ensure institutional compliance with federal, state, and local laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, and related regulations.
Promote campus-wide education, training, and best practices related to access, inclusion, and universal design.
Provide individual counseling services to students within the scope of professional licensure and institutional protocols.
Maintain a limited clinical caseload as determined by student need, staffing capacity, and executive responsibilities.
Participate in crisis response, consultation, and on-call rotation as appropriate.
Maintain timely documentation, case management, and ethical practice in accordance with University policy and professional standards.
Model best practices in culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and student-centered counseling.
Lead development, implementation, and review of policies related to counseling services, access services, and student support practices.
Ensure compliance with applicable legal, ethical, and professional standards including FERPA and counseling ethics codes.
Collaborate with Legal Affairs, Risk Management, Academic Affairs, and other stakeholders on complex, high-risk, or sensitive cases.
Oversee budgets for counseling and access services, including staffing models, contracts, and professional development.
Supervise the Director of Access Services and counseling staff.
Lead assessment efforts to evaluate effectiveness, student outcomes, and institutional impact.
Use data and assessment results to guide continuous improvement and strategic planning.
Monitor the impact of executive clinical involvement on staffing capacity and service delivery.
Serve on institutional committees related to student care, wellness, crisis response, equity, and retention.
Partner with faculty, staff, and administrators to identify and address systemic barriers to student success.
Represent the University in professional organizations, networks, and external partnerships related to counseling and access services.

Benefits

FREE Tuition - Employee, Spouse, and Dependents
Tuition Exchange Opportunity - Dependent of Employees
Generous Paid Leave - Sick, Vacation, and Holidays
Comprehensive Group Health Plan (Medical, Dental, and Vision)
Group Medical Plan includes Teledoc, Surgery Plus, Wellness Incentive Program and more!
100% Employer-Funded Health Reimbursement Account
100% Employer-Paid Short Term Disability Insurance
100% Employer-Funded Employee Assistance Program (healthcare and dependent options)
Employer-provided life insurance
Discounted On-Campus Dining Meal Plans
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
403b Retirement Plan
Wellness Center Eligibility based on meeting required service period