MSU Hillel

Community Initiatives

Job Summary

The social worker will help support Jewish college students, as well as Michigan State University (MSU) Hillel staff, in addressing the mental health and wellness needs of its members. The social worker will be a Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit (JFS) employee and will report to a JFS supervisor, with daily responsibilities delegated by MSU Hillel.

Principal Accountabilities

• Clinical Practice – For students in need of one-on-one clinical support, treat students effectively by using person-centered planning, engaging them as clients in the establishment of goals and objectives, progressing clients in treatment and discharging clients upon successful completion of their treatment plan. Complete thorough psychosocial assessments through collecting and evaluating information in order to provide a clinical diagnosis.

• Program Strategy– Collaborate with Hillel program professionals to actively engage students across all eleven schools served by MSU and HCAM. Be responsible for strategizing and organizing workshops and programs focusing on mental health and wellness, tailored to the unique needs of each campus. Program specific responsibilities will be strategically linked to creating an environment in which students feel emotionally supported and physically safe. Program responsibilities will encompass no more than 25% of this position’s time commitment. Examples might include a monthly women’s wellness circle, creating wellness workshops for a retreat or staffing a wellness table at a welcome back fair.

• Student Mental Health Support – Deliver comprehensive support services to our Hillel community, including prevention, intervention, and crisis response. Evaluate the needs of students, both as a collective group and as individuals, and develop tailored approaches to address those needs. This can involve one-on-one assistance or group interventions, with continuous monitoring of participants' emotional well-being, proactive observation, and follow-up on potential issues. Remain vigilant regarding concerns that may arise from pre-existing situations, such as a history of mental health or substance use challenges, recent bereavements, family difficulties, social struggles, or serious family illnesses.

• Clinical Documentation - Maintain client documentation standards by preparing and completing, in a timely manner, all required assessments, treatment plans, progress notes, records and reports for assigned clients.

• Staff Support- Monitor the emotional well-being of staff. Provide guidance to staff as they deal with students having diagnosed mental health disorders and/or participant behavior such as aggression, homesickness, teasing, or bullying. Work with staff to develop and implement clinically appropriate interventions. Assist staff in creating an environment in which students feel emotionally supported and physically safe.

• Training – Share professional knowledge with Hillel staff by seeking out professional

development opportunities and sharing new learning with staff. Attend

Hillel staff conferences and relevant JFS trainings. Plan and implement trainings or support community partners to provide trainings as needed for students and staff.

• Scheduling – MSU Hillel’s standard office hours are 10 AM – 5 PM. In addition, the position requires regular after-hours work, primarily evening and weekends, to meet program, event, and student needs. The position will be based at Michigan State University, with occasional travel to other campuses, utilizing a Hillel-provided vehicle.

• Ambassadorship - Support both agency operations by appropriately representing Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit and MSU Hillel in all forums and by demonstrating commitment to agency philosophy, mission, goals, policies and procedures.

• Conduct - Maintain standard of the profession by following the principles of professional ethics and all applicable codes of ethics.

• Compliance – Adhere to standards and requirements of all external accrediting/licensing bodies by attending staff meetings and committee meetings as assigned.

• Security and Privacy –Adhere to agency and client protection policies by regularly acclimating oneself with the JFS privacy, safety and security policies made available within the employee handbook.

• Employee Philanthropy –Participate annually in agency and partner related philanthropic activities and campaigns.

• Mission Dedication –Embody the mission and values of JFS in all work done on behalf of the agency. Utilization of the JFS key strategies will ensure success in this accountability.

• Misc. – Other duties as assigned by management.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Previous experience with program development, community organizing, training, and clinical experience working with young adults. Not required, but previous experience participating with a Hillel would be beneficial.

Education: Minimum of a master’s degree in a field that permits state licensing/registration to provide outpatient counseling/therapy.

Certifications or Licenses Required: Full Licensure in social work or a similar field.

Minimum Competencies

Skills

• Time Management - Use time effectively by appropriately planning, organizing and scheduling required work hours to meet agency needs.

• Technology - Use JFS Electronic Health Record system to maintain client records and employee schedule, and to document client satisfaction and outcomes.

• Communication – Express oneself in an articulate and effective manner both verbally and in written communication.

• Innovation – Utilize creativity and self-motivation to develop new programming and methods for connecting with student participants.

• Effective Reasoning – Deal with abstract and concrete problematic situations. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.

Knowledge

• Continuing Education - Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending agency in-service programs, educational workshops, reviewing professional publications and establishing personal networks.

• Clinical Framework – Understand and apply basic theoretical models and perspectives to successfully resolve student scenarios over short- and long-term periods.

• Crisis Intervention – Knowledgeable in crisis intervention, with the ability to implement crisis interventions, and will use MSU Hillel’s protocols to support students and staff.

Behaviors

• Liaison Role – Act in accordance with the wishes of MSU Hillel as to daily tasks and duties, including attendance at all MSU Hillel staff meetings and events.

• Professionalism – Demonstrate effective judgment by making appropriate decisions, as well as always conducting and maintaining a professional manner and appearance.

• Teamwork Capabilities – Contribute to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Jewish Family Service of Metropolitan Detroit is an Equal Opportunity Employer