Position: Health Services and Counseling Center Graduate Assistant

Status: Part-time, (20hrs/week)

Department: Student Life & Wellness

Reports to: Director of Counseling and Director of Health Services

Start Date: Fall Semester 2024

Compensation: Stipend, Room, and Tuition Reimbursement

Description:

As a full-time graduate student, the Graduate Assistant (GA) works under the supervision of the Director of the Counseling Center and the Director of Health Services. The GA position's main role is to support our Counseling Center and Health Services by serving as a resource and assisting with student concerns. The GA also provides administrative support, and will assist in risk assessment, outreach, and programming. This is a 20-hour per week position. It offers the opportunity to gain experience within higher education administration, data analysis, risk assessment, and event planning/marketing.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Outreach, Education, Programming and Marketing

• Engage students to seek help from the Counseling Center and Health Services.
• Assist the Counseling Center and Health Services in outreach and program activities in promoting mental health awareness, wellness, and suicide prevention.
• Serve as a resource for Paul Smith College’s faculty, staff, and students in reference to the Counseling Center and Health Services.
• Assist with the development and logistical coordination of educational programming/events such as New Student Orientation, Open Houses, Wellness Fair and Mental Health Week.
• Assist in providing training to students, staff and faculty members about topics like suicide prevention, mental health awareness, STI prevention, exercise and nutrition.
• Seek creative new programming ideas and develop marketing materials to increase student engagement at health promotion events working closely with the Peer Educators.

Assessment

• Develop assessment methods to evaluate and measure the effectiveness of mental health outreach efforts by the Counseling Center through various means (online surveys, interviews, staff development).

Administrative

• Phone coverage for the Counseling Center to include screening students over the phone to assess for safety.
• Greeting clients to include screening students to assess for safety and using judgement to interrupt counselors in session.
• Schedule counseling appointments in Pyramed.
• Assist in outreach.
• Attend and take notes at weekly Health Services and Counseling staff meetings.
• Assist in organizing office spaces, files, supplies, and storage areas.
• Create and update website pages.
• Manage social media platforms.

Supervision

• Recruit, train and schedule Health Services and Counseling Peer Educators
• Assist in development of projects, tasks, and program presentations for undergraduate peer educators.
• Co-advise peer educators on program planning.

Please note that the responsibilities for the Graduate Assistant will be tailored as much as possible to suit GA’s interest, skills, and semester department initiatives. Specific responsibilities vary from semester to semester and depend on programs and services offered during that time.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution and enrollment in Paul Smith’s College Master’s degree programs.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.
• Strong communication and relationship building skills.
• Ability to work independently and with others as part of the Division of Student Affairs.
• Ability to work evening and weekends on occasion.
• Excellent data management skills, including computer and paper files.
• Previous experience in a healthcare/mental health environment preferred but not required.
• Must be flexible and maintain confidentiality of students.
• Must have a positive and innovative outlook on the position.
• Must have the ability and desire to work with students.

Paul Smith’s College values diversity in the College community and seeks to assure equal opportunity through its continued Affirmative Action program. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V