Associate Director Clinical Services
Looking for meaningful clinical work without the pressures of private practice?
Enjoy comprehensive benefits, reliable income, and no after-hours or on-call demands. University Counseling Service provides opportunities for meaningful focus on serving students first and foremost, UCS is an ideal setting for psychologists and therapists seeking both professional purpose and personal balance.
You will provide strategic leadership and oversight for the University Counseling Service's clinical services while delivering direct psychological services to a varied student population during a pivotal stage of their development. You will have the opportunity to make a lasting impact through counseling, consultation, and preventive work. There are also opportunities to shape the next generation of clinicians through supervision and mentorship in our training programs, simultaneously enriching your own professional practice.
Iowa City is the largest city in Johnson County, Iowa, and the home of the University of Iowa, known for its vibrant downtown, historic landmarks like the Old Capitol Building, and lively cultural scene. It’s also the fifth-largest city in Iowa, with a population of about 76,000, and serves as a hub for education, arts, and community life. This dynamic community creates an inspiring environment where the U of I plays a central role in shaping student experiences and community life. Joining UCS in the U of I’s Division of Student Life offers a unique opportunity to be part of a vibrant campus community that supports student success, training, wellness, and engagement.
About this position
The Associate Director of Clinical Services provides strategic leadership and oversight for the University Counseling Service's clinical services while delivering direct psychological services to a varied student population. This role supports students in achieving their academic, personal, and interpersonal goals through assessment, individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultation, and psychoeducational programming.
As a member of the UCS senior leadership team, the Associate Director plans, coordinates, evaluates, and continuously improves clinical service delivery. Responsibilities include developing and implementing policies and procedures, monitoring service outcomes and performance metrics, managing requests for services, and ensuring effective clinical operations. The position also oversees group therapy programs, facilitates internal program evaluation, and supports quality assurance efforts, including peer review processes and case closure oversight.
The Associate Director fosters collaborative partnerships across the university through outreach, prevention education, consultation, and relationship building with students, faculty, staff, administrators, families, and community stakeholders. The role provides supervision, training, and mentorship to graduate trainees and selected staff, promotes a welcoming environment for students and contributes to the ongoing management and strategic direction of UCS programs and services.
Specific Job Duties & Tasks
Oversee Clinical Service Delivery — Lead, evaluate, and improve all clinical services, ensuring high‑quality assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, intervention, and outcome evaluation.
Provide Clinical Supervision — Supervise trainees and staff therapists, review clinical documentation and recordings, and ensure adherence to best practices.
Ensure Ethical and Legal Compliance — Maintain compliance with APA Ethical Standards, state practice laws, and federal/state privacy regulations across all clinical operations.
Lead Quality Assurance Activities — Develop and implement evaluation procedures, monitor service effectiveness, and guide continuous improvement of clinical systems.
Manage Clinical Team Operations — Convene and facilitate Clinical Team meetings, coordinate service delivery, and support staff in addressing organizational clinical needs.
Develop Policies and Procedures — Create and refine policies that support consistent, effective, and responsive clinical services for clients and trainees.
Oversee Data Systems and Reporting — Maintain data systems, coordinate participation in national databases, and respond to internal/external reporting requests.
Provide Consultation Across Campus — Offer formal consultation to units, departments, and individuals regarding clinical services, emergency response, and underserved populations.
Deliver Training and Professional Development — Provide seminars, supervise outreach participation, and develop continuing education opportunities for staff and trainees.
Administrative Supervision of Staff — Conduct performance evaluations, uphold policies, and support staff therapists in delivering consistent, high‑quality clinical care
For a detailed job description, please email Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu
About the Division of Student Life:
The Division of Student Life is comprised of staff that embrace new ideas and thoughts, works together to keep our students safe, and provides them with life-changing experiences. The Division of Student Life includes 15 departments that span from Recreational Services to the Office of Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement and everything in between. We believe in working together as one team to achieve our mission: fostering student success by creating and promoting educationally purposeful services and activities within and beyond the classroom.
Requirements
Doctoral degree in either Counseling or Clinical Psychology from an APA-Accredited program or Master’s degree in Social Work with clinical focus from a CSWE Accredited program or Master’s degree in Counseling from a CACREP Accredited Program.
Psychologist: Possession of a valid State of Iowa license as a psychologist. Social Worker: Licensed as an LISW in the State of Iowa.
Clinical Mental Health Counselor: Licensed as a LMHC in the State of Iowa. License must be maintained as a condition of continued employment.
Social Worker: Relevant post-degree experience (typically 3-5 years).
Mental Health Counselor: Relevant post-degree experience (typically 3-5 years). Psychologist: Relevant post-degree experience (typically 3-5 years).
Knowledge of evidence-based clinical services and procedures in individual, couples, and group settings; ability to assess, manage, and ensure high quality clinical service provision.
Knowledge of assessment & research methods and activities including assessment of student learning outcomes/satisfaction metrics and development and implementation of systems to improve service delivery.
Knowledge and experience planning, developing and delivering educational and outreach programming, and consulting services with constituencies.
Knowledge and experience providing administrative supervision and personnel management.
Knowledge of training and development processes, tools and techniques to develop clinical skills of students, trainees, and staff.
Knowledge and experience preparing data reports and engaging in data driven decision making.
Knowledge and experience of crisis management and hospitalization.
Knowledge and experience with legal and ethical decision making.
Knowledge and application of communication techniques and relationship building skills that develop the ability to work with a variety of individuals and groups in a constructive and collaborative manner.
Demonstrated extensive proficiency in the ability to collaborate and interact with individuals and groups while appreciating the unique contribution of individuals from varied backgrounds.
Proficiency in office support tools available and electronic medical records software (e.g., word processing, e-mail, presentation software, and spreadsheets); preferably Microsoft Office and Titanium
Desirable skills
Previous campus Counseling Center experience
Working proficiency with infusing technology into the delivery of mental health services.
Working proficiency and interest in providing brief psychoeducational group interventions
Application Details
To be considered, applicants must upload a resume and cover letter and mark them as a “Relevant File” to the submission.
Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days and may be removed from posting and filled any time after the original posting period has ended. Up to 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship in the United States. For questions or additional information, please contact Michelle Sehmann at michelle-sehmann@uiowa.edu
Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.
Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.
Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.
Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.
Equal opportunity employer
The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), disability, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, service in the U.S. military, sexual orientation, or associational preferences.
Persons with disabilities who need assistance or accommodations with the application or interview process may contact University Human Resources/Faculty and Staff Disability Services, (319) 335-2660 or fsds@uiowa.edu. For jobs in UI Health care, please contact UI Health care Leave & Disability Administration at 319-356-7543.
