Director of Mental Health and Disability Support Services

The Director of DSS and Mental Health at Ivy Tech Lake County will provide primary leadership in both mental health counseling and disability services, ensuring comprehensive support for students. The role combines responsibilities for delivering direct counseling services, crisis intervention, disability accommodations, and proactive outreach programs, while maintaining compliance with ADA and other federal and state regulations. The Director will collaborate with faculty, staff, and community agencies to develop and implement effective mental health and disability support strategies that foster academic success and personal well-being for students. This position requires licensure as an independent mental health counselor in Indiana, with preferred certifications in areas such as substance abuse or suicide prevention, as well as substantial supervisory experience in both mental health and disability services.

Major Responsibilities

• Provide direct individual and/or group counseling services to a diverse student population, including academically challenged students, first-generation students, low-income students, and 21st Century Scholars.

• Develop and implement educational, preventative, and proactive mental health outreach programming for the college community.

• Organize and lead awareness campaigns for topics such as depression, suicide prevention, and substance abuse.

• Collaborate with faculty to address the connection between psychological challenges and academic success, offering guidance on referral protocols and available services.

• Act as a key member of the Behavioral Intervention Team (Aware) and work collaboratively with college officials to address student needs.

• Provide crisis intervention, including assessments and consultations.

• Build and maintain partnerships with community mental health agencies for referrals and resources.

• Oversee initial assessments of students with disabilities requesting accommodations, ensuring compliance with ADA regulations and other legal standards.

• Manage fiscal resources related to disability services and assistive equipment, ensuring appropriate allocation of funds.

• Educate faculty and staff on disability services, accommodations, and ADA compliance on an annual basis.

• Maintain accurate records of students receiving services, accommodations provided, and related data for reporting purposes.

• Collaborate with campus recruitment and retention initiatives to integrate disability support into broader student success strategies.

• Conduct activities in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other confidentiality standards.

• Supervise the Assistant Director of Disability Services and other relevant staff to ensure the effective delivery of services.

• Perform other responsibilities as needed to support students, faculty, and staff in achieving institutional goals.

This is not to be construed as an exhaustive list, other duties as logically assigned by your supervisor may be required.

Pay Range: $65,000 - 70,000 per year

Benefits Offered:

• No waiting period to enroll in benefits.

• Employer contribution to retirement plan.

• Excellent benefits, including voluntary benefits: medical, dental, vision, retirement, life insurance, spouse/child life insurance, Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, identity theft protection, accidental injury and illness, and more!

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, volunteer, bereavement.

• Paid holidays: 9 days plus winter break between December 25th and January 1st.

• Free tuition at any Ivy Tech location for employee, spouse, and qualifying dependents.

• Full time employees qualify for tuition assistance for higher education opportunities.

• Professional Development opportunities.

Education, Experience And Other Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field that qualifies for independent mental health counseling in Indiana.

• Licensure as an independent mental health counselor in the state of Indiana.

• Preferred certifications in areas such as substance abuse counseling or suicide prevention (e.g., QPR, Tier Two Training).

• Minimum of five years of progressive experience in disability services and/or mental health counseling.

• At least three years of supervisory experience overseeing personnel and managing programs.

• Strong therapeutic skills, with the ability to provide short-term counseling and address crises effectively.

• Familiarity with legal and educational requirements, including ADA and Section 504 compliance.

• Experience working with diverse populations

• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Ivy Tech Community College is an accredited, equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or veteran status. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Ivy Tech Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions. Questions specific to Title IX may be referred to the College’s Title IX Coordinator or to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.