Athletic Counselor

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How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position, salary requirements, outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Summary

The Athletic Counselor will work as a member of an interdisciplinary team to deliver comprehensive general psychological services and lifetime wellness services for University of Michigan student-athletes. The Athletic Counselor will have a wide-range of clinical and administrative daily responsibilities to include the provision of treatment that spans the spectrum of care ranging from debilitating emotional distress to optimization of performance, as well as coordinating and providing consultation and relevant training to teams, coaches, Student-Athlete Health & Welfare personnel, and other Athletics team members.

The Athletic Counseling Team offers clinical education opportunities, paid professional development opportunities, and dedicated sport assignments. Athletic Counselors are encouraged to use this time to pursue clinical or performance certifications.

Responsibilities*

Essential Functions:

• Provide individual mental health and AOD assessments, and individual, group, and team counseling services in a confidential setting for student-athletes.
• Administer optimal performance enhancement techniques for student-athletes.
• Provide a high level of customer service and communication at all times to all entities.
• Participate in health and lifetime wellness initiatives for student-athletes.
• Participate in the development and implementation of student-athlete programming for leadership development, personal growth, and health and wellness.
• Collaborate with various campus programs on issues related to student-athlete wellness and development.
• Assess and respond to needs for crisis intervention with individuals and groups within the athletic department.
• Coordinate referrals to outside resources for mental health and AOD services for student-athletes.
• Assess the need for ADHD/ADD evaluation/referral; including, but not limited to psychological testing for mental health diagnosis. 
• Provide consultation with coaches on individual and team dynamics
• Promote a culture where student-athletes choose to make a commitment to lifelong health and wellness and personal and professional development
• Participate on a multi-disciplinary team within the athletic department in the management of student-athletes with significant mental health issues, eating disorders, etc.
• Participate in the development, implementation and on-going execution of training and development initiatives for student-athletes including, but not limited to annual programming that reaches all student-athletes on the topics of Hazing, Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Sexual Misconduct/Harassment and Bystander Accountability.
• Maintain a strong rapport with multiple constituencies including; undergraduate and graduate student-athletes, coaches, Michigan Athletic departments and team members, faculty, on-campus resource centers, alumni, former letter-winners, parents, donors, potential employees, and other strategic partners.
• Establish and maintain collaborative alliances with multiple stakeholders at the University of Michigan.
• Use technology and social media to foster an effective and efficient overall experience for student-athletes and department team members.
• Assist with special projects as assigned regarding donor and student-athlete support;
• Contribute to the development of an environment for team members and student-athletes that is healthy, safe, equitable, and culturally diverse;
• Accurate documentation and ethical record keeping;
• Adhere to all policies and procedures as defined by the NCAA, Big 10 Conference, University of Michigan, and University of Michigan Department of Athletics.
• Assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Adhere to the Code of Ethics and credentialing requirements of the State of Michigan.
• Participate in special projects, committees, or other initiatives as assigned.
• Participate in continuous professional development activities;
• Represent the University of Michigan and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at University, State, Regional, National, and International conferences and/or meetings as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervision and education of assigned students enrolled in clinical internships within the University and professional interns / residents.
• Supervision and education of other performance team members as assigned.

Travel:

• Travel with assigned team(s) on occasion as needed and/or directed.

Other Duties:

• Please note that this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.
  

Required Qualifications*

• Doctorate in Psychology, Master's Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Counseling.
• Fully licensed (or eligible for licensure) in field of practice as governed by the State of Michigan's Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
• Minimum 3-5 years of clinical experience in sport, higher education, or other related setting.
• Demonstrated ability to provide treatment that spans the spectrum of care for student-athletes ranging from debilitating emotional distress to optimization of performance.
• Demonstrated ability to consider and address the needs and concerns of persons from culturally diverse backgrounds including students of color, international students, LGBTQIA2S, and non-traditional students and to foster sensitivity to a diverse and inclusive campus culture.
• Excellent organizational and analytical skills with the ability to initiate, analyze, monitor, evaluate, and advance strategic plans that support student-athletes and the mission of the Department.
• Sound computer and presentation skills and effective report preparation.
• Compliance and understanding of Big Ten Conference and NCAA rules.
• Ability to champion a culture of innovative thought, life-long learning and continuous improvement.
• Ability to meet Continuing Education requirements as established by the Commission on Dietetic Registration and the State of Michigan.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures set forth by the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, coaches, student-athletes, physicians, and other allied health personnel.
• Must possess problem-solving and critical thinking skills, innovation and creativity, adaptability, initiative and stress tolerance to various situations in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.           
• Must provide a high level of customer service.
• Ability to work occasional long hours, including early mornings, late nights, weekends, holidays, overtime, non-traditional work hours, extended periods of time without days off, travel, and be on-call as a regular part of the position.
• Proven ability to multi-task, work independently, prioritize, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated successful leadership and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated track record of developing collaborative relationships with both internal and external constituencies.
• Proven ability to multi-task, work independently, prioritize, and complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated track record of developing collaborative relationships with both internal and external constituencies.
• Knowledge and understanding of working with diverse and multi-cultural populations.
  

Desired Qualifications*

• Advanced training in sport psychology (e.g.  Association for Applied Sport Psychology Certified Consultant or member of the USOC sport psychology registry).
• Knowledge and understanding of eating disorders/disordered eating - assessment and treatment.
• Knowledge and understanding of unique aspects of student-athlete population.
• Knowledge of, and ability to conduct, alcohol and other drug assessments and ability to work with the student-athlete population on these issues.

Additional Information

The University of Michigan Athletic Department is dedicated to building a department culture which demonstrates respect for all, shows compassion for others, and celebrates the differences among our staff, student-athletes, and supporters. We are committed to the hiring and development of diverse staff who contribute to an inclusive environment.

In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:

• Generous time off
• A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability coverage
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.