Hiring Department
The College of Veterinary Medicine at MU is on a mission to educate and train outstanding clinicians and scientists, generate new knowledge, engage stakeholders, and foster economic growth, all of which promote and protect the health and welfare of animals and people.
We are seeking a Psychologist to provide services to professional and graduate students onsite at the CVM, with the goal of promoting mental health and well-being. This position is one of two embedded clinicians at the CVM, with joint supervision between the CVM and the MU Counseling Center. The Counseling Center is part of the MU Student Health and Well-Being unit, which includes the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, and Wellness Resource Center. Applicants need to be aware that this role may involve exposure to plant and animal allergens in the veterinary medical environment.
Job Description
We are seeking a strong generalist to:
- Conduct initial evaluations to determine appropriate treatment recommendations
- Provide individual therapy within a time-limited model
- Provide clinical consultations during regular business hours
- Design and implement outreach and prevention programming for students and the broader CVM community
- Serve as a member of the larger MU Counseling Center team by attending staff meetings and participating in clinical consultation meetings
- There are also opportunities to collaborate on research related to mental health in veterinary medicine
The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal, oral, and writing skills; show an ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, campus partners, and student groups; be able to work independently; have a strong sense of boundaries and professional ethics; and demonstrate interpersonal flexibility, an awareness of the importance of life balance, and a commitment to the developmental perspective of college counseling services.
Shift
The position is 40 hours per week. Evening and weekend duties are very rare. This position is available as soon as agreed but likely summer 2027 (specific start date negotiable).
Minimum Qualifications
A Doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology or Clinical Psychology and 2 years of experience in counseling. Must be eligible for licensure in the state of Missouri.
Preferred Qualifications
A minimum of one year of clinical experience working in a college counseling center (this may include practica, internship, or post-doctoral experience) is preferred. Experience working with graduate and professional students is also strongly desired. In addition to the qualifications listed, desirable skills include: experience using brief therapy models and empirically-supported treatments, crisis intervention, experience working with complex cases, and interest in collaborating on relevant research projects.
**Must obtain licensure to practice independently as a Licensed Psychologist (LP) in the state of Missouri within 18 months of hire if starting out of pre-doctoral internship.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary Range: $83,500 – $110,000 per year
- $83,500 annually if needing to qualify for first-time licensure.
- $86,000 - $110,000 annually if already licensed to practice independently in Missouri, depending on experience and other qualifications.
Grade: GGS 012
University Title: Psychologist
Internal applicants can determine their current grade and university title by accessing the Job Information page through the Additional Employee Info tile in myHR.
Application Materials
Applicants must complete all sections of the University’s electronic job application process found on the MU Human Resources website: https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/staff. Click on the “prospective employees” link.
In addition to the online application, please include the following materials: 1) a letter of interest highlighting relevant experiences and fit with the position, addressed to Dr. Kerry Karaffa; 2) a current curriculum vitae; and 3) contact information (including phone numbers and e-mail addresses) for at least three professional references. Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF attachments are required. Materials should not be e-mailed or mailed.
Criminal background checks will be conducted on finalists prior to finalizing offers of employment.
For questions regarding the online application process, contact Human Resource Services (muhrs@missouri.edu or 573-882-7976). For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Kerry Karaffa, CVM Mental Health and Wellness Coordinator, at: karaffak@missouri.edu or 573-882-4629.
Application Deadline
Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received by January 11 but applications will continue to be reviewed until position is filled.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Community Information
The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program in the College of Veterinary Medicine boasts a unique curricular structure. Years one and two of the four-year program focus on didactic instruction, and years three and four involve clinical instruction in the Veterinary Health Center, a state-of-the-art teaching and medical services facility for companion animals and livestock.
The University of Missouri (http://www.missouri.edu) (MU, Mizzou), with over 31,000 students and more than 300 degree programs, has a reputation for excellence in scholarship, research, and student services. It is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization that has 71 member universities in total. The campus is an attractive environment, and the facilities and services available to students are among the best. Mizzou is a member of the Southeastern Conference, competing in a variety of sports at the 1A level. The following link provide more information: https://missouri.edu/visit
Region Description
Columbia, Missouri (http://www.visitcolumbiamo.com), with a population of approximately 130,000, offers a high quality of life with numerous opportunities for outdoor activities, art, music, sports, shopping, and community service. In addition to MU, Columbia College and Stephens College are located in the city, and five other colleges and universities are within 30 miles of Columbia. Columbia Public Schools are highly regarded and have a solid reputation for quality: https://www.cpsk12.org
Columbia’s centralized location offers quick access to St. Louis and Kansas City (each within a 2-hour drive), as well as the State Capitol, Jefferson City, and the beautiful vacation getaway, Lake of the Ozarks. Columbia is also minutes away from a host of historic towns and state parks featuring boating, fishing, hiking, biking and more.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
