Swarthmore College·Swarthmore, Pennsylvania
Provide direct clinical services to students, including individual and group counseling, triage, and crisis intervention. Conduct mental health outreach and provide clinical supervision to practicum students and interns.
Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
Swarthmore College’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) supports the mental health and well-being of Swarthmore students. We aim to create a safe and confidential environment through a range of psychological support and consultation services. We provide individual and group counseling, assessment, consultation, and referral services to the Swarthmore College community.
The Staff Counselor position provides direct clinical services to students (including but not limited to: triage, individual and group counseling, and crisis intervention), outreach programming and professional training to the Swarthmore College community on a variety of mental health topics, clinical training to practicum students and interns as needed, and consultations to faculty and staff regarding college student mental health. This is a 9-month position working during the academic year, between the months of mid-August to mid-May.
You are knowledgeable about using psychological theories in the provision of individual direct services.
You are interested in co-facilitation and/or development of group therapy
You have the ability to provide crisis intervention and emergency services, including crisis walk-in coverage and supporting students stepping up to a higher level of care
You are interested in community building through mental health outreach.
You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.
We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role!
For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter by June 15, 2026.
Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled.
A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position.
If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).
The market range for this position is $58K-$64K per year for MSW; $65K-75K per year for PhD, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.
Preview our Benefits Flyer [https://publicstorage.dc4.pageuppeople.com/819/ClientPublicFile/f0219291-7d1d-40ac-8b6e-6d9a77d17b3d.pdf]. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook [https://mybenefits.nfp.com/Swarthmore/2026/guidebook/]
Retirement Plans [https://www.swarthmore.edu/human-resources/retirement-plans]
Tuition Grant Program [https://www.swarthmore.edu/human-resources/tuition-grant-program]
Tuition Reimbursement Program [https://www.swarthmore.edu/human-resources/tuition-reimbursement-program]
Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.
Requires a Doctorate in Clinical/Counseling Psychology or a Master's in Social Work with a valid PA license (Psychologist or LCSW). Candidates must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of clinical theories and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Market context
Staff counselor roles in Pennsylvania are often competitive because employers look for licensed clinicians who can provide direct support, document clearly, and work within multidisciplinary settings. This position stands out for requiring either a doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology or a master’s in social work with a valid Pennsylvania psychologist or LCSW license, plus demonstrated knowledge of clinical theory and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm your license status and prepare examples of trauma-informed, culturally responsive counseling work.