Student Mental Health & Community Resource Counselor

Kentucky Community and Technical College System•Edgewood, KY

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Mental Health & Community Resource Counselor provides short-term mental health counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and resource navigation to support student well-being, persistence, and academic success. The position helps students address emotional, personal, financial, and basic-needs challenges; coordinates referrals to campus and community resources; and collaborates with internal and external partners. The role emphasizes early intervention, brief counseling, crisis response, and resource coordination rather than long-term treatment. The counselor provides individual counseling, conducts assessments, develops intervention plans, responds to crises, and connects students with appropriate support services. The role also provides case management and follow-up for needs such as food, housing, finances, transportation, childcare, and healthcare, including assistance accessing emergency aid. The counselor serves as a resource on mental health and behavioral concerns, participates in the Behavioral Intervention Team, and coordinates with Campus Safety, college leadership, and community partners during and after incidents. The position develops and delivers educational programs, raises awareness and use of student support services, collaborates on student success initiatives, and maintains service and referral data for assessment and reporting. Duties may be adjusted in response to student needs, service demand, and institutional priorities. The role is based at Gateway Community & Technical College's Edgewood Campus in a discretionary hybrid work arrangement. It is a 12-month position with standard hours of 37.5 per week.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or equivalent.
Active, unrestricted Kentucky LCSW or LPCC license, with ability to maintain licensure and continuing education requirements.
Eligibility to provide independent clinical mental health services within the scope of licensure.
Four years of experience in mental health counseling, social work, behavioral health, or related student support services.
Experience with crisis intervention, assessment, referrals, case management, and documentation.
Ability to assess needs, provide appropriate interventions, and connect individuals with community resources.
Strong communication, organization, documentation, and collaboration skills.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional ethics, and appropriate boundaries.
Detail-oriented and self-motivated, with ability to work independently and adapt to fast-paced, dynamic environments.
Skill in engaging and supporting students from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and meet tight deadlines.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Forms, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, and Word.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or equivalent.
Experience in higher education, community colleges, or working with young adult and adult populations.
Experience with case management, community resource navigation, and support services.
Experience assisting individuals facing social, financial, housing, food insecurity, or other basic-needs challenges.
Knowledge of Northern Kentucky community resources, mental health providers, and social service agencies.
Experience with behavioral intervention teams, crisis response, and suicide risk assessment.
Familiarity with telehealth, virtual mental health services, and coordinated care models.
Experience supporting first-generation students, adult learners, and diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

Provide short-term individual counseling and support for mental health, personal, and adjustment concerns.
Conduct assessments, develop intervention plans, and provide crisis response services.
Coordinate referrals to BetterMynd, community mental health providers, and other support resources.
Help students access campus and community services that support well-being and success.
Maintain confidential counseling records and documentation in accordance with professional, legal, and institutional standards.
Assess student needs and connect students with campus and community resources.
Provide case management, resource navigation, and follow-up addressing barriers such as food, housing, financial, transportation, childcare, healthcare, and other basic-needs concerns.
Assist students in accessing emergency assistance programs, including the Student Success Emergency Fund.
Collaborate with campus departments and community partners to coordinate services and support.
Develop and maintain relationships with community agencies and facilitate referrals.
Monitor referral outcomes and provide ongoing support to help students access needed services.
Serve as a resource to students, faculty, and staff regarding mental health and behavioral concerns.
Participate in the Behavioral Intervention Team by providing consultation, assessment, and referral recommendations.
Conduct mental health and safety assessments and assist in developing intervention plans.
Coordinate crisis response and support services with Campus Safety, college leadership, and community partners.
Provide follow-up case coordination after behavioral, safety, or mental health incidents.
Support implementation and continuous improvement of crisis response and referral procedures.
Develop and deliver educational programs promoting mental health, well-being, resilience, and awareness of support resources.
Increase student awareness and utilization of counseling, basic-needs, emergency assistance, and community support services.
Collaborate with campus departments, faculty, and student support teams to enhance student success, retention, and well-being.
Participate in college-wide initiatives supporting student engagement, persistence, and holistic support.
Maintain service, referral, and utilization data and assist with assessment and reporting.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Health care coverage
Vision coverage
Dental coverage
Tuition reimbursement or waiver for the employee, spouse, and dependents
403(b) retirement plan with a 10% employer match on a 5% employee contribution
Vacation and sick time
Work-life balance
9.5 paid holidays
Two weeks of institutional closing pay in the last two weeks of December for qualifying positions
Employee Assistance Program