Director, Counseling and Psychological Services - 138374

The mission of the Student Health & Well-Being (SHW) cluster is to promote a culture of health and well-being for the student community, deliver equitable high quality innovative services, incorporate inclusive approaches, and celebrate diversity, with the goal of adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors contributing to the academic success and personal development of all students.

The UC San Diego SHW cluster, which reports through UC San Diego Health System, plays a leadership role in creating a strong and active wellness culture that enables all students to flourish in body, mind and spirit. This includes promotion and the transformation of existing departments, under the oversight of the Executive Director, into a cohesive, trans-disciplinary source of integrated wellness services. The SHW cluster includes the departments of Student Health Services (SHS); Health Promotion Services (HPS); Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS); Assessment and Analytics (SHAA), Strategic Planning, Innovation and Research (SPIR); and SHW Administration (ADM).

CAPS delivers campus-based mental health services to registered UC San Diego undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students. CAPS' multicultural, multidisciplinary, and student-centered staff strives to deliver trauma informed, culturally proficient counseling and psychiatric services, psycho-educational preventive outreach and early intervention programming, consultation, research, and training opportunities. CAPS is accredited by the International Accreditation of Counseling Services (IACS) and the Post-doctoral Resident Training Program is affiliated with the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Center (APPIC). CAPS is fully committed to self-examination, peer review, and quality improvement through the utilization of metrics, data, clinical outcomes, client experience measurements and feedback.

Under the direction of the UC San Diego Health Executive Director of Student Health and Well-Being, the Director of Counseling and Psychological Services operates with a high degree of autonomy, exercises independent judgment in developing strategy, guiding operations, and ensuring alignment with campus, divisional, and systemwide priorities. Directs the design, implementation, oversight, and evaluation of comprehensive counseling, psychiatric, and student-development services. Through strategic vision, operational excellence, and an unwavering focus on outcomes, the Director ensures that CAPS meets the evolving psychological and wellbeing needs of a diverse student community. The Director sets the vision and goals for student mental health services, oversees operations, quality improvement, budget, facilities, and personnel.

A highly skilled organizational leader, the Director stewards departmental resources with transparency and accountability and ensures optimal performance across budget, technology, facilities, research, and human resources. The Director demonstrates excellence in talent management through the recruitment, supervision, coaching, and evaluation of a multidisciplinary workforce, including clinical and administrative staff, trainees, and peer educators. By cultivating a positive and wellness-centered culture, the Director enhances staff engagement, professional growth, and quality of service delivery.

The Director ensures compliance with IACS Counseling Center and AAAHC Behavioral Health accreditation standards and oversees CAPS' APIC Postdoctoral Residency Program, reinforcing UC San Diego's standing as a leader in training, clinical quality, and professional development. Through active engagement in national and international professional associations, the Director helps shape broader trends in collegiate mental health and brings best practices back to UC San Diego.

This role demands a leader who exemplifies strategic foresight, operational mastery, clinical expertise, and a deep commitment to student-centered care-ensuring that UC San Diego remains at the forefront of mental health innovation in higher education.

Position's components include:

People Management & Supervision(UC Competency: People Management, Coaching & Development, Inclusiveness)The Director oversees all CAPS personnel functions, including recruitment, performance management, professional development, and organizational design for clinical and administrative teams. The Director models inclusive leadership practices, fosters a culture of respect and well-being, and ensures that staff are supported in delivering high-quality, student-centered care. The role includes supervision of CAPS' Management Team and key administrative and clinical leaders, ensuring consistent accountability, coaching, and transparent decision-making.

Strategic Planning & Resource Management(UC Competency: Strategic Planning, Results Orientation, Financial & Organizational Stewardship)The Director leads long- and short-term strategic planning for student mental health, aligning goals with the university's mission and Student Health & Well-Being strategic plans. The Director manages financial and operational resources, including budget, facilities, technology, information systems, and research infrastructure. Through data-informed analysis and environmental scanning, the Director anticipates service needs, identifies emerging trends, and ensures timely, cost-effective programmatic responses.

Operational Excellence & Service Delivery(UC Competency: Operational Effectiveness, Mission & Vision Alignment)The Director ensures the effective delivery of integrative, holistic, and evidence-based clinical services, including urgent care, crisis intervention, postvention, outreach, consultation, and psychiatric care. Using quality improvement methodologies, the Director oversees the development and refinement of policies, protocols, and workflows to maintain efficient operations and service excellence. The Director ensures CAPS meets and exceeds applicable accreditation standards (IACS, AAAHC) and supports CAPS' APIC Postdoctoral Residency Program.

Collaboration & Relationship Building(UC Competency: Collaboration, Communication, Interpersonal Skills)The Director serves as the delegate representing the Executive Director of Student Health and Well-Being for student mental health across campus, building strong partnerships with academic departments, student organizations, campus leadership, UC San Diego Health, and UC Office of the President. As the Executive Director's delegate, the Director represents the university in county, regional, and statewide mental health initiatives and fosters cross-organizational collaboration that strengthens coordinated care, crisis response, and public health initiatives.

Ethics, Integrity & Accountability(UC Competency: Ethics & Compliance, Integrity, Accountability)The Director ensures ethical, compliant, and legally sound clinical operations, including oversight of CAPS risk management, peer review, quality assurance, credentialing and privileging, and adherence to federal, state, and UC policies. The Director exercises high-stakes judgment during critical incidents involving student mental health, ensuring that decisions prioritize safety and ethical standards.

Innovation, Change Leadership & Continuous Improvement(UC Competency: Innovation, Change Agility, Continuous Learning)The Director champions innovation in mental health delivery, integrating new technologies, data tools, clinical models, and emerging best practices-such as AI-supported systems, enhanced EMR workflows, and contemporary strength-based interventions.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging(UC Competency: DEI, Service to Diverse Communities)Committed to the UC mission of serving a diverse student body, the Director ensures that CAPS programs, staffing, service models, and training initiatives reflect principles of equity, cultural humility, and social justice. The Director promotes an inclusive environment where students from all backgrounds can seek care safely, and ensures staff have the competencies needed to serve a diverse campus population.

Campus & Systemwide Leadership(UC Competency: Institutional Knowledge & Leadership Influence)The Director serves on the Student Health and Well-Being Executive Committee, the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life Leadership Team, and additional governance structures. Active participation in national and international professional associations ensures that UC San Diego remains at the forefront of collegiate mental health.

Leadership Outcomes(UC Competency Alignment: All)Through strategic foresight, operational discipline, and influence across the campus ecosystem, the Director delivers measurable CAPS outcomes:Improved access to care and reduced barriers for diverse student populations.Strengthened crisis response systems and campus readiness.Enhanced staff performance, engagement, and retention.Greater coordination across Student Affairs and Campus Life, Student Health & Well-Being, and UC San Diego Health.Data-informed decision-making driving program effectiveness.Increased national visibility and alignment with leading practices in student mental health.In executing these responsibilities, the Director ensures that UC San Diego remains a leader in delivering innovative, responsive, and equitable mental health services that support student success and well-being.

• Bachelor's degree in related area and/ or equivalent experience/ training.

• Eight (8) or more years of significant experience in university counseling centers as clinician and administrator innovating and managing community based mental health services in a mental health clinic, an institution of higher education, or in a similar setting.

• Thorough knowledge of clinical operations. Thorough knowledge associated with managing multiple medical care units and establishing operational efficiencies. Thorough knowledge of health care delivery systems. Thorough knowledge of campus policies, programs and initiatives relating to Health Care services provided to students, faculty and staff. Through knowledge of CAPS services and operations. Thorough knowledge associated with managing a mental health clinic, preventive services, consultation services, training program and outcome measures and learning outcome research for quality control, compliance, and risk management. This includes managing various self contained programs and establishing operational efficiencies. Thorough knowledge of mental health care delivery systems. Thorough knowledge of campus policies, programs, and initiatives related to mental health care services provided to students, faculty, and staff.

• Must have project management and organizational leadership skills. Organizational experience, including skill to work on multiple projects with competing deadlines and to establish goals and workload priorities. Knowledge of program conceptualization, development, implementation, evaluation and continuous improvement.

• Excellent skills in providing and managing the delivery of medical care services to a diverse client population. Excellent written and verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with students, faculty and staff at all levels in the organization, business partners and the medical community. Effective interpersonal skills to create and maintain a climate of effective communication and collaborative decision making. Demonstrated active listening and compassionate skills.

• Position must be able to establish priorities, goals and objectives and timelines for achievement of goals. Includes an organized monitoring and evaluative approach for achievement of objectives aligning with mission and vision of the organization. Strong organization skills to organize functions, ensure smooth processes and adherence to regulatory requirements.

• Thorough knowledge of budget / fiscal related processes. Including forecasting, projections, implementation, monitoring and thoughtful stewardship. Be accountable for decisions.

• Thorough knowledge of HR-related policies and procedures. Knowledge of union contracts and preparation of contract negotiations, in consultation with Human Resources. Thorough knowledge of unions represented at CAPS.

• Excellent skills needed to interact effectively with outside contact of significance. Excellent decision-making, analytical, problem solving and critical thinking skills. Demonstrated political acumen and diplomacy in navigating complex challenges within a high-profile academic institution. Experience and skill in the analysis of complex information or problems in an objective manner and derive logical conclusions to provide sound basis for establishing priorities and selecting appropriate courses of action.

• Must be able to collaborate with medical staff members and others across campus, both internal and external, at all levels in the organization on matters of significance. Proven ability to effectively lead, manage, and motivate employees. Strong conflict resolution. Strong decision making and organizational leadership skills. This includes a community system approach to relationships.

• Position must be able to manage fiscal and HR resources. Must ensure adequate breadth and depth of clinical care, outreach, consultation and training program.

• Must be able to plan and implement new and revised programs. Ability to establish priorities, goals, and objectives for the center. Must engage in ongoing innovation and refinement of programs and services to ensure their relevance to the various generations within the student population.

• Must be computer literate. Demonstrated knowledge and use of business software and specialized applications / systems used in behavioral health settings. Working knowledge of electronic medical/mental health records systems (EMR or EHR).

• Ability to at all times adhere to UCSD Health Medical Center (C.A.R.I.N.G.) Standards of Performance, and demonstrate the characteristics of professionalism in attire, attitude, conversation, behavior and attentiveness to others. All staff members are required to uphold the UCSD Principles of Community and to promote a positive and collaborative team environment.

• Advanced knowledge and applied background in behavioral health counseling methods and techniques, crisis intervention, risk assessment, interventions and suicide prevention, treatment planning and case management.

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Ability to apply policy knowledge to suggest improvements to potential regulatory issues.

• Must be open and sustain space for the emergence of new ideas, innovation, and advancements in the field of student mental health, strength based psychological approaches, well-being and healthy life styles.

• Experience directing a campus based mental health service student centric, consulting with university leadership on matters of mental health and wellness, including complex clinical, ethical, and legal mental health issues, and FERPA and HIPAA regulations.

• Experience in leading a professionally diverse, seasoned and multidisciplinary staff, committed to development of cultural competence in the organization. Ability to balance administrative decision making with group consensus building, and valuing staff autonomy and expertise.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of state and federal health care privacy laws, Title IX, VAWA, ADA, Title II, HIPAA and FERPA, as well as professional ethics or regulations that govern the work.

• Must complete all required training assigned by UCOP, UCSD, CAPS and SHW on a timely basis.

• Doctorate in psychology, MD with board-certification in psychiatry, or master's in social work with a valid license in California.

• Ph.D. in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an A.P.A. accredited program.

• Licensed to practice psychology by California Examining Board in Psychology.

• Four or more years in administrative leadership role (Assistant Director, Director, or equivalent title) overseeing other clinicians in CAPS or similar student mental health clinic.

• University of California employee/experience.

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check and pre-employment physical, plus annual COEM requirements.

• A work schedule other than standard may be required. Must be willing and able to travel.

• Must work on campus with ability to telecommute for work, if/when needed and operationally feasible, as determined by department.

• Occasional evenings and weekends may be required.

• BLS required.

• Pre-employment credential verification, and reappointment every three years thereafter.

• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines/instructions.

• Job descriptions are reviewed periodically and may be revised, if deemed necessary.

• This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties commensurate with the level and scope of this position as required to meet the ongoing needs of Counseling and Psychological Services and Student Health and Well-Being.