Direct First Responder Counselor Jobs in Salem, OR

• Job Location: McMinnville Campus - McMinnville, OR 97128
• Position Type: Full-Time
• Salary Range: $72,968.00 - $72,968.00
• Salary Counselor
• Student Health, Wellness & Counseling Center (SHWCC) / Student Affairs
• FTE: 1.0 (10.5-Month Position)
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Location: McMinnville Campus (In Person)
• Work Schedule: 40 hours per week, August 1 – June 15, with prorated benefits

Linfield University seeks a compassionate, collaborative, and student-centered Counselor to join the Student Health, Wellness & Counseling Center (SHWCC). The Counselor provides individual and group counseling services that support students' mental health, emotional well-being, and academic success.

Working with a diverse student population, the Counselor helps students navigate developmental challenges common in higher education, including stress management, relationship concerns, adjustment to college life, identity development, body image, decision‑making, and other personal concerns. The Counselor also assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and other psychological concerns within their scope of practice.

In addition to providing direct clinical services, the Counselor partners with faculty, staff, and campus departments to promote student well‑being through consultation, crisis response, outreach programming, training, and prevention initiatives.

• Provide individual and group counseling for students experiencing personal, academic, and mental health concerns.
• Conduct clinical assessments, develop treatment plans, and provide evidence-based therapeutic interventions.
• Diagnose and treat mental health disorders within professional licensure and scope of practice.
• Respond to student crises and campus emergencies during regular working hours.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential clinical documentation in accordance with professional standards, university policies, and applicable laws.
• Coordinate care with community medical and mental health providers when appropriate to ensure continuity of care.
• Communicate appropriately with parents or guardians when legally and ethically appropriate while maintaining student confidentiality.

• Serve as a mental health resource for faculty, staff, Residence Life, and university administrators regarding students experiencing emotional, behavioral, or academic concerns.
• Collaborate with SHWCC colleagues and campus partners to promote student wellness and support student success.
• Participate in interdisciplinary efforts to enhance campus mental health services.

• Develop and facilitate educational workshops, outreach programs, and wellness initiatives for students and the campus community.
• Provide training and educational programming for Residence Life staff and other campus groups.
• Promote awareness of mental health resources and healthy coping strategies across campus.

• Maintain compliance with professional ethical standards, Oregon licensing requirements, and applicable federal and state laws.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development activities to maintain clinical competence.
• Mentor counseling interns and newly hired staff as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of SHWCC or the Vice President for Student Affairs.

• Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a closely related field.
• Three years of relevant clinical experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, an Oregon professional license appropriate to the counseling degree.
• Demonstrated knowledge of clinical assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and case conceptualization.
• Experience providing culturally responsive counseling services to diverse populations.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community providers.

• Experience providing counseling services in a college or university counseling center.
• Experience working effectively within an interdisciplinary healthcare or student support team.
• Experience developing and facilitating classroom presentations, workshops, or educational programming.

Work is primarily performed in a professional office environment and is largely sedentary. The position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, speaking, hearing, and repetitive hand and finger movements while using standard office equipment. Occasional climbing of stairs, campus travel between buildings, attendance at meetings or professional conferences, and lifting or carrying materials weighing up to 20 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

At Linfield University, you'll join a collaborative, student-centered community committed to helping students thrive academically, personally, and professionally. As a Counselor in the Student Health, Wellness & Counseling Center, you'll play a vital role in supporting students' mental health and well‑being while partnering with dedicated colleagues across campus to foster a healthy, inclusive, and caring university community.

Guided by our mission of learning, life, and community, Linfield values intellectual curiosity, respect for diverse perspectives, meaningful relationships, and service to others. Our counselors are trusted partners in creating an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Linfield University is committed to creating an inclusive community that values diversity, equity, and belonging. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences who are committed to supporting a diverse student population. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check and any other applicable pre‑employment requirements.

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field and three years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating:
• Possession of, or in the process of obtaining, a valid Oregon Professional License corresponding to the counseling degree completed. This includes appropriate clinical supervision in compliance with Oregon Licensure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff, faculty, and students.
• Demonstrated multicultural counseling skills and competencies.
• Proven diagnostic and case conceptualization skills and the ability to develop, implement, and evaluate effective treatment plans.

• Experience counseling young adults in a higher education setting.
• Demonstrated success in working effectively within an interdisciplinary team.