Associate Director for Clinical Services

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) has an excellent opportunity for an Associate Director of Clinical Services-a compassionate professional dedicated to making a meaningful impact in students' lives by supporting services that foster connection, inclusion, and growth. Join a team committed to excellence and to promoting the health, well-being, and success of our diverse student community.

UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) is the county's largest employer and one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Perched on the coast overlooking Monterey Bay, our main campus offers a stunning setting and a vibrant community where over 3,100 staff members build meaningful careers, enjoy comprehensive benefits, and contribute to a mission that makes a difference.

UCSC offers staff a comprehensive benefits package designed to support health and well-being.

Here is a sample of benefit options:

* Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
* UC Retirement Pension Plan
* Optional life, legal, and pet insurance
* Paid holidays, plus accrued vacation and sick leave
* Discounts at UCSC recreation facilities

For details, please visit: UCnet-Benefits

Thank you for your interest in joining the UC Santa Cruz community.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 02-02-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

UC Santa Cruz (UCSC) Student Health Services (SHS) is a full-service health facility offering clinical, educational, counseling, and psychiatry services to students on the UCSC campus. SHS is deeply committed to ensuring affordable, well-integrated, multidisciplinary healthcare that effectively supports the university's diverse campus communities through equitable access and culturally competent, high-quality programs and services.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides a variety of mental health and psychological services to UCSC undergraduate and graduate students, including intake assessment, brief and long-term individual, group therapy, crisis intervention, mental health outreach and workshop programming, consultation, and liaison relationships to support student mental health and well-being.

The Primary Care Program offers primary care and same-day care services, supported by on-site radiology, a COLA-accredited clinical laboratory, and the campus pharmacy offering prescription and over-the-counter products.

Additional departments include Student Health Outreach and Promotion (SHOP), home of the Condom Co-op, the Cove Collegiate Recovery Program (CCRP), where students receive harm-reduction and recovery services; CARE (Center for Advocacy, Resources & Empowerment) the advocacy and prevention education office that supports those who have experienced sexual assault, stalking, and dating/domestic violence; Optometry, and Student Insurance and Referral Programs.

Student Health Services employs approximately 150 staff and welcomes staff with interest and experience working with college students with a wide range of diverse and intersecting identities.

More information can be found at: https://caps.ucsc.edu and http://healthcenter.ucsc.edu.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Director of CAPS, the Associate Director for Clinical Services is responsible for the coordination and quality assurance of clinical services and programs in Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). The incumbent provides leadership for the development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of clinical programs and services that support the mission of CAPS. The Associate Director for Clinical Services performs all activities within the limits of standards and ethical principles of their professional organization, as well as the applicable legal mandates for mental health professionals in the State of California.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $125,000 - $150,000/annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: BEH HEALTH CNSLNG SUPV 2 (006811)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

40% - Leadership & Administration

• Oversees clinical service delivery programs and models, including monitoring clinical time, scheduling, and templates, and maintaining standards of care and timely access for both routine and crisis situations.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of clinical services policies and procedures.
• Works collaboratively with the Associate Director for Training to coordinate the provision of clinical services by doctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows.
• Actively participates in the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) leadership committee with other CAPS leadership members.
• Collaborates with campus partners, faculty, administrators, and staff to address concerns related to counseling issues and provides information on CAPS services, policies, and procedures to University staff and faculty to increase understanding and appropriate utilization of CAPS services.
• As delegated by the CAPS Director, Counseling, administratively supervises CMCT or RISE staff regularly to ensure understanding of work assignments and objectives. Helps manage caseloads. Provides consultation on complex clinical issues. Conducts performance appraisals. Provides clinical supervision for doctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows.
• Participates in the recruitment and selection of psychological services staff.
• Oversees psychological testing, including assessment of ADHD.
• Monitors staff clinical documentation for maintaining standards of care.
• Provides oversight of electronic health record updates and changes to ensure the CAPS team is effectively and efficiently working with the PNC system.
• Collaborates with CAPS leadership on oversight of CAPS quality assurance initiatives and the Clinical Quality Assurance committee, including evaluation of the effectiveness of all clinical services.
• Develops and implements training and educational programs for staff on clinical services to students with diverse and intersecting identities.

30% - Direct Service

• Provides clinical services including initial assessments, case management, brief and long-term individual therapy, group therapy, crisis assessment and intervention, and referrals to appropriate resources.
• Provides on-call backup for the After-Hours Crisis Services as needed.
• Provides clinical supervision for doctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows.
• Provides consultation to staff, faculty, administrators, and campus partners regarding the psychological well-being and mental health of students.
• Develops and implements outreach and psychoeducational programs to the UCSC campus community.

15% - Crisis Management

• Provides clinical direction and crisis back-up, including consultation or supervision of urgent crisis cases seen by the CAPS staff member on crisis duty, in conjunction with other CAPS leadership members.
• Oversees the quality of After-Hours Crisis Service responses, as part of the CAPS management team.
• Works collaboratively with SHS and campus partners regarding crisis cases and referrals.
• Provides individualized clinical risk assessment evaluations addressing campus concerns about student safety.

15% - Additional Responsibilities

• Maintains active membership, participation, and involvement in national organizations that focus on service delivery in university counseling centers.
• Participates in and facilitates CAPS committees and workgroups in a cooperative and professional manner in efforts to maintain and upgrade the quality of CAPS services.
• Maintains accurate and timely clinical documentation.
• Promotes a safe and healthy workplace and effectively responds to injuries that occur.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Valid California licensure, in good standing, in Psychology OR Valid out of state licensure*, in good standing, in Psychology *See Special Conditions of Employment for further requirements
• Recent experience as a clinician with evidence of increasing administrative responsibility in a mental health setting, typically achieved after 5 years or more of experience
• Demonstrated experience mentoring, supervising, and providing consultation to diverse mental health or clinical providers, including both doctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows, typically achieved after 3 years or more of experience
• Demonstrated clinical and crisis management skills and experience working with high acuity clients with complex mental health needs
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and skills providing multiculturally responsive and trauma-informed clinical services to individuals with diverse and intersecting identities who are in varying states of emotional distress
• Demonstrated skills, experience, and interest in coordinating and monitoring the delivery of psychological services
• Experience with mental health clinic or counseling center administration
• Demonstrated expertise with developmental and mental health issues of late adolescence
• Demonstrated skills and experience providing brief and long-term individual therapy and facilitating psychotherapy groups
• Demonstrated skills and experience designing and implementing psychoeducational outreach, community programs, and crisis debriefings
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and maintain a high level of professionalism in all interactions
• Ability to respond well to supervision\
• Strong verbal communication skills to communicate effectively with clinical and administrative staff, students, and campus partners
• Strong written skills to communicate effectively with clinical and administrative staff, students, and campus partners
• Recent experience with computer-based electronic health records and scheduling software

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Clinical and administrative experience in a college counseling environment
• Experience utilizing psychological assessment instruments appropriate for university students, particularly ADHD assessment
• Experience and interest in data analysis
• Doctorate from APA accredited programs, including APA accredited doctoral internship
• Experience working in an environment where counseling, psychiatry and primary care are integrated
  

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Licensed as a Psychologist in good standing. Valid California licensure, in good standing, in Psychology OR Valid out of state licensure, in good standing, in Psychology. Out of State licensed psychologists are required to acquire California licensure within 180 days of licensure application or establishing residency in California
• Selected candidate will be required to successfully complete a pre-hire criminal history background check and a pre-hire credentialing check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess CPR/First Aid/AED certification or have the ability to obtain it within 60-calendar days of hire.
• Selected candidate will be required to take a TB test within 60 days of hire.
• Complete Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) training within 30 days of hire.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Will be required to comply with current Student Health Center employee health safety requirements for health care workers as defined by state and federal regulatory agencies. Current health safety requirements are discussed during interview.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.