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Advertising Summary: We support student success by providing comprehensive clinical services, advocacy, recovery support, outreach, and professional training. We provide a compassionate and welcoming atmosphere that creates spaces for healing and growth. We demonstrate our commitment to social justice and cultural sensitivity through validation, empowerment, and building wide-ranging relationships.

Unit: Athletics MBU

Department: Athletics Office

Department Summary: At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) learning, research, creativity, service and discovery are the hallmarks of the VCU experience. It’s a place of opportunity, where your
success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave
package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Summary:
At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) learning, research, creativity, service and discovery are the hallmarks of the VCU experience. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission- driven work.

About University Counseling Services:
The mission of University Counseling Services is to support student success by providing clinical services, advocacy, recovery support, outreach, and professional training. We provide a compassionate and welcoming atmosphere that creates spaces for healing and growth. We believe that investing in staff both personally and professionally is integral to accomplishing our mission.

About the Role:
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) University Counseling Services (UCS) invites applications for an Athletic counselor position. This position will be embedded within the VCU Athletic department and primarily provides services to our VCU student-athletes. The Athletic Counselor provides comprehensive mental health counseling and mental performance services to college student-athletes. This role integrates clinical expertise with sport psychology principles
to support student-athletes’ psychological well-being, enhance performance, and promote resilience. The counselor works collaboratively with athletics staff, coaches, medical providers, and campus partners to optimize both the personal and athletic experience of student-athletes.

Key Responsibilities:
Clinical:

• Provide individual counseling to student-athletes presenting with a wide range of clinical concerns, including depression, anxiety, injury recovery, eating disorders, substance misuse, and other mental health conditions.
• Conduct thorough assessments, and develop treatment plans
• Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, and appropriate referrals when needed.
• Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with ethical and legal standards.
• Attend Counseling center staff meetings and serve on committees
• Collaborates in Counseling Center efforts to provide services in new and creative ways.
• Adheres legal statures and to NCAA standards regarding case management, documentation, and parameters of service, including occasional availability for emergency response or outreach during non-traditional hours of operation

Mental Skills Training & Performance Enhancement:

• Deliver individual and team-based mental skills training to enhance performance, including focus, confidence, motivation, emotional regulation, and consistency.
• Develop and implement programs that build resilience, stress management, and mental
  fortitude.
• Support athletes in managing performance pressure, transitions, setbacks, and injury-related challenges.
• Attend sporting events and practices of the various teams.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

The successful candidate must have Master’s or doctoral degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Sport Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. The applicant must be licensed (or license-eligible) as a mental health professional in the Commonwealth of Virginia or within one year of hire date. The candidate must demonstrate experience providing clinical services to college age student populations, experience treating a range of clinical concerns including depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance misuse, and trauma-related issues. Also, training and experience in sport psychology and/or mental skills training.
We seek someone who is collaborative in nature, practices good self-care, and possess the ability to manage a challenging workload while promoting a positive atmosphere and healthy relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with collegiate or elite athletes
• Knowledge of NCAA or collegiate athletics environments
• Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC)
• Experience delivering team-based interventions and workshops

This position plays a critical role in supporting student-athletes’ mental health and maximizing their performance potential. By addressing both clinical needs and performance goals, the Athletic Counselor contributes to a holistic model of student-athlete development, enhancing well-being, resilience, and success both on and off the field.

University Description
VCU is a public, urban university with just under 30,000 students located on two campuses in the capital city of Richmond, VA. University Counseling Services has an APA-accredited pre-doctoral intern training program. The multidisciplinary staff of UCS includes full-time clinicians from the fields of psychology and social work.

Application review will begin May 25, 2026 and the position is open until filled. To apply, electronically please submit your letter of interest and current vita For additional information about Virginia Commonwealth University and UCS, visit our web site at https://counseling.vcu.edu/. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal employment/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Salary Range: $73,000 - $83,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 21212Y - Counselor HS 2

State Role Code: 49012

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Dr. Bridget Smith
Contact Email: smithb28@vcu.edu