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.

Who We Are:

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 community.

The opportunity:

The CAPS Social Work Fellow will gain experience with each of the primary functions in a college counseling center including direct individual and group clinical services, outreach programs, crisis support, and faculty/staff consultation. The Social Work Fellow will also participate in numerous training activities, including individual supervision, group supervision, case conference, and various seminars.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide individual direct services, including triage appointments and individual counseling. (60%)
• Facilitate psycho-educational and process-oriented groups (10%)
• Provide crisis intervention and emergency services, including crisis walk-in coverage and supporting students stepping up to a higher level of care. (10%)
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation for all clinical interactions and consultations (15%)
• Provide outreach programming and consultations to campus community (5%)

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Who you are:

• You are committed to social justice and understanding the needs of clients across diverse backgrounds.
• You have the ability to communicate effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Empathetic listener with the demonstrated ability to de-escalate crises/risks.
• Enthusiastic about connecting with clients via outreach activities and community building
• Interested in supporting the mental health and developmental needs of a college population.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work completed
• Minimum of one year's experience working/training in a college counseling setting or equivalent
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity
• Physical Demands
  • Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
• Working Conditions
  • May be required to attend outreach events after regular business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of social, developmental, and psychological issues and challenges faced by diverse populations of students within a higher education setting.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills
• Experience with developing and delivering psychoeducational outreach presentations and activities

What You Will Get:

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 March 15, 2025. 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).

PA Criminal Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Review the Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook. 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.

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

About Swarthmore College

Since its founding in 1864, Swarthmore College has given students the knowledge, insight, skills, and experience to become leaders for the common good. Offering a liberal arts and engineering curriculum, the College is private, yet open to all regardless of financial need. It is also decidedly global in outlook, drawing students from around the world and all 50 states. The diversity of perspectives represented by Swarthmore students, faculty, and staff - including different viewpoints, identities, and histories - contributes to the community's strong sense of open dialogue and engagement with ideas and issues.

Connections working at Swarthmore College