Associate Director of Counseling & Well-Being, Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University

Work type: Regular Full-Time

Location: Glassboro, New Jersey

Categories: School of Veterinary Medicine

Position Summary:

The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University seeks a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) to join our team as the Associate Director of Counseling & Well-Being. This role supports the mental health and overall well-being of our veterinary students by providing direct counseling services, developing well-being programs, and collaborating with faculty and staff to integrate well-being into the school culture. Additionally, this role will provide emotional support for staff and clients of the teaching hospital. Reporting to the Associate Dean for Student Success, the successful candidate will support the mission of the school through leadership, collaboration, and effective communication.

Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine (SSVM) Diversity Statement:

The SSVM is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, mentorship, advocacy, and justice in all facets of the veterinary medical profession, including education, research, and clinical practice. To this end, we are committed to fostering access to veterinary education for all learners and maintaining an academic and work environment free of discrimination, wherein diversity is celebrated. We consider inclusivity to be a responsibility of everyone in our learning environment. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide individual and group counseling, including teletherapy, to students dealing with academic, personal, and professional stressors, including crisis intervention and immediate support.

• Design, implement, and organize comprehensive well-being programs, workshops, seminars, and support groups tailored to the unique needs of veterinary students, focusing on mental health, resilience, stress management, work-life balance, and effective communication strategies.

• Assist in planning student orientation activities.

• Collaborate with student organizations and other university departments to promote well-being initiatives and events.

• Develop and manage key initiatives such as suicide prevention campaigns, extended orientation programming, and other evidence-based well-being programs.

• Work with faculty to integrate well-being practices into the curriculum and teaching methods, and provide training and resources to faculty and staff on recognizing, responding to, and consulting about student mental health concerns.

• Engage in professional activities such as staff meetings, trainings, and conferences.

• Serve on college and university committees when applicable.

• Maintain confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity of client interactions and records.

• Prepare reports on the utilization of counseling services and the effectiveness of well-being programs.

• Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures related to student mental health and well-being.

• Maintain awareness of and understand additional wellness events on campus to identify new partnerships for collaboration.

• Engage with the student community to understand their needs and adapt services accordingly.

• Utilize specialized knowledge in veterinary social work to support clients within the veterinary teaching hospital, addressing the emotional and psychological needs of pet owners facing difficult decisions.

• Provide counseling and support to veterinary professionals and students dealing with compassion fatigue and stress related to veterinary care.

• Perform other duties, responsibilities, or special projects as assigned.

  Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW).

• Current and unrestricted license as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of New Jersey (or obtained upon hire).

• Minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience in a higher education or hospital /veterinary/healthcare setting.

• The successful candidate should be collaborative in nature, have strong communication skills, practice good self-care, maintain healthy boundaries, and possess the ability to manage a challenging workload while promoting a positive atmosphere and healthy relationships.

• Our ideal candidate understands intersectionality and how it impacts the daily lives of students, faculty, and staff.

• Cultural competence is of utmost importance.

  Preferred Qualifications:

• Certificate in Veterinary Social Work.

• Strong understanding of the veterinary profession and unique stressors and challenges faced by veterinary students.

  Note: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US, and the university will not sponsor an applicant for a work visa for this position.

  Information about the institution:

  A top 100 national public research institution, Rowan University offers bachelor’s through doctoral and professional programs in person and online to 22,000 students through its main campus in Glassboro, N.J., its medical school campuses in Camden and Stratford, and five others. The University has earned national recognition for innovation, commitment to high-quality, affordable education, and developing public-private partnerships. A Carnegie-classified R2 (high research activity) institution, Rowan has been recognized as the fourth fastest-growing public research university, as reported by The Chronicle of Higher Education. For more information on Rowan University, click here .

  The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine is located on the Glassboro, New Jersey west campus, 22 miles southeast of Philadelphia. The Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine plans to admit its first class of DVM students in 2025, pending accreditation approval. Facilities will include an academic teaching facility aimed at the delivery of pre-clinical training, a small animal teaching hospital, and a research facility.

  Rowan University celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, race, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, (dis)ability status, military status, and other NJ protected classes. Rowan University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment as required by Title IX. Rowan is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with (dis)abilities.

  As a state public University, Rowan employees are eligible to participate in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. More information on this program is available at https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.

  Please Note: Position posting will be active until the job is filled.