Counseling Services and Disability Support Services
Job Title: Counseling Services and Disability Support Services
Institution: The American University of Kurdistan
Location: Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Job Type: Full-Time
Posting Date: 16/01/2023
Closing Date: Open until filled
Salary: Competitive and Commensurate with experience
Coordinator of Counseling Services and Disability Support Services
Our Mission:
Founded in 2014 as a non-profit institution of higher learning by Masrour Barzani, the American University of Kurdistan is dedicated to preparing future generations of leaders through curricular and co-curricular excellence in an American-style education focusing on transformative knowledge, innovative research, ethical community service, respect for inclusion and diversity, global connectedness, and life-long learning, all aiming to ensure economic, environmental, social and political advancement- regionally, nationally and globally.
Our Vision:
The American University of Kurdistan will be recognized as a premier institution in the Middle East and beyond by cultivating academic excellence, fostering creativity, and engaging in highest caliber of applied research.
Description:
Counseling and Psychological Services supports the mental health and well-being of AUK’s students. It also oversees the provision of Disability Support Services. It aims to create a safe and confidential environment through a range of psychological support and consultation services, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, assessment, consultation, and referral services. This will also involve outreach programming/consultation to parents, faculty, and staff. The Coordinator will report to the Director of Student Affairs.
Essential Functions:
Brief Counseling, Assessment and Referral
- Conduct evaluation and limited individual therapy for students.
- Conduct group therapy and student support groups related to wellness, balance, self-care and maintaining appropriate boundaries and relationships.
- Conduct confidential individual sessions with students.
- Maintain contacts with psychiatrists and other regional health care providers for those situations that require ongoing therapy.
- Normalize the use of mental health resources through increased visibility and engagement with students.
- Provide direct access and consultation to the Residence Life staff related to the concerns of students living in the University’s housing.
- Provide consultation to faculty, staff, and students’ families regarding student concerns.
Disability Support Services:
- Develop the overall disability accommodations services’ planning, implementation, assessment, and quality improvement of the experience for students, with an emphasis on student development, satisfaction, and retention.
- Develop and implement a series of ongoing workshops to assist students, faculty, and staff regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to qualified students including those with mental health conditions.
- Manage all programs and services provided by DASS including note-taking, testing, assistive technology, and alternative media services.
- Manage the assistive technologies and student usage.
- Work closely with faculty and staff to ensure the University provides all required accommodations inside and outside the classroom.
- Work closely with IT and the Center of Excellence for Learning & Teaching to ensure equitable access to all electronic information and technology, including instructional materials in the classroom.
- Strategize and implement best practices in the design, development, and oversight of disability accommodations and educational awareness programs.
- Lead HR, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Campus Services, CELT, and IT in the planning, design, and implementation of DSS services.
- Responsible for coordinating University policies and procedures relating to students with disabilities, tracking University progress relating to its policies and procedures.
- Provide campus-wide training as it relates to providing student access.
- Provide counseling and guidance to assist qualified students with disabilities in their transition and adjustment to the University.
Crisis Response:
- Under the leadership of the Director of Student Affairs, provide crisis management, assessment, intervention services and stabilizing clients.
- In severe cases, work with the Director of Campus Services to help transport students in crisis to an appropriate health care facility.
- Follow up with students following crisis situations.
- Provide individual, group, and/or campus-wide follow-up sessions following crisis situations.
Unit Responsibilities:
- Maintain confidentiality of all clients and their records.
- Complete written intake assessments and follow-up progress notes of students in a timely manner.
- Appropriately document all consultations.
- Remain knowledgeable of best practices in the field of psychology and university counseling centers.
- Represent AUK in regional and national conversations on student mental health.
- Perform other work-related assignments as assigned and/or required.
- Required Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in counseling, clinical or counseling psychology, or social work.
- Be licensed/certified to provide mental health services in Kurdistan and Iraq.
- Prior college or university counseling experience, preferred.
- Prior experience addressing the needs of a diverse student population, preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Understanding of the differences in care requirements for adolescents and adults, including, but not limited to: growth and development, psychological and psychosocial needs.
- Demonstrated ability to use technology in improving the delivery and evaluation of programs and services.
- Demonstrated knowledge in the application of student development theories.
- Demonstrated knowledge in addressing the needs of a diverse student population.
- Demonstrated use of a variety of communication techniques, such as presentation skills and ability to communicate effectively in English in both written and verbal form with a variety of people including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents (Kurdish and Arabic preferred).
- Ability to establish professional relationships; interact effectively with diverse constituencies; and maintain confidentiality when required.
- Ability to work well both individually and as a part of a team in a collegial, respectful, and professional manner.
- Ability to work independently using sound judgment with a wide variety of student psychological needs.
The American University of Kurdistan upholds international best practices in the prohibition of discrimination and harassment based on ethnic and religious identity, citizenship, age, sex, race, sexual orientation, disability, medical condition, or marital status in hiring and other personnel decisions.
It is the policy of the American University of Kurdistan to provide an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. The University promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace and makes recruiting decisions exclusively on the basis of qualifications, merit, and current work needs. This policy applies to all hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, remuneration, benefits, and training procedures within our Institution.
Application Process:
The search committee will immediately begin reviewing applications and continue until an appointment is made for interviews. Applications must be emailed to recruitment@auk.edu.krd with the position's name in the “subject” field. To ensure full consideration, applications must include a letter of interest, analysis of qualifications, curriculum vitae that includes e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers. If you encounter any issues with the Application process, please email the previously listed email address.