Description

The University of New Mexico is initiating a search for a Director of UNM’s internal employee assistance program known as CARS (Counseling, Assistance and Referral Services), to begin in January 2027. CARS promotes a healthy work-life balance by providing on-site and remote services to assist UNM faculty and staff members with professional and personal concerns. CARS services include counseling for individuals and couples (where one person is a UNM employee); supervisory consultations with organization leadership; crisis interventions such as bereavement help for departments; seminars and workshops; and departmental in-service training. CARS currently employs four counselors including the director, supported by administrative staff.

The CARS Director provides direct services such as supervisory consultations to managers, short-term counseling for individual employees, training, and crisis assistance for departments and programs. The Director supervises CARS clinical and administrative staff and actively collaborates with various mental health and substance abuse resources in the UNM community. The Director ensures that employees who utilize the EAP Program receive confidential, ethical and quality counseling services. The Director also represents CARS on various committees across the UNM campus and collaborates with campus partners to promote employee welfare at home and at work. Institutional collaborators include Ombuds services, ADVANCE at UNM, Division for Change and Empowerment, the Compliance, the Ethics and Equal Opportunity Office (CEEO), the Dean of Students Office, the Campus Assessment Response Education (student safety concerns) and Threat Assessment teams, and Student Health and Counseling (for situations in which student issues impact faculty and staff). The Director plans and oversees the CARS budget program, staffing, and expenditures. The CARS Director reports to the Office of the Provost.

Duties and responsibilities

 Establishes and implements short- and long-range organizational goals, objectives, strategic plans, policies, and operating procedures; monitors and evaluates programmatic and operational effectiveness, and effects changes required for improvement.
Provides clinical and managerial supervision for CARS clinical and administrative staff, ensuring consistent and effective delivery of services
Ensures compliance with pertinent standards and regulations
Collaborates with campus partner institutions to promote employee wellbeing
Provides direct services to UNM clients including supervisory consultations, brief counseling, training, and crisis interventions
Develops and directs implementation of employee mental health and substance abuse education and awareness programs, including outreach and communications programs to promote employee well-being and awareness of available services
Assists departments in improving workplace climate and promoting healthy work-life balance
Coordinates and interacts with university officials and committees, employees, external mental health and substance abuse providers and/or law enforcement agencies as needed in specific cases.
Monitors emerging challenges to employee wellbeing, and advises University leadership on management and prevention strategies
Plans and oversees CARS budgets and operations
The University of New Mexico (UNM) is the premier research university in the state of New Mexico. We are a Carnegie R1 Highest Research Activity Institution, a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution, and a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. UNM is located in Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico. Albuquerque is an ethnically diverse metropolitan area of over a half million residents that has been listed as one of the best small cities in the U.S. by National Geographic Traveler. The city has a rich culture and a location offering unparalleled opportunities for outdoor adventure. Learn more about our city here (https://unmfirst.unm.edu/why-choose-us/why-albuquerque.html). The University is located within one hour of Santa Fe, three hours of Taos, and within minutes of the Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges, which offer great opportunities for hiking, biking, rock climbing, skiing, and other outdoor activities. 

See the Position Description for additional information.
Conditions of Employment
Employees in this job title are subject to the terms and conditions of an employment contract. Employment contracts are typically subject to review and renewal on an annual basis.
Subject to credentialing process; must maintain credentialed status.
Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Requirements

Master's degree in a recognized behavioral health field; at least 5 years of experience, post independent licensure, in counseling and employee assistance program (EAP) services. Certification/Licensure: State of New Mexico independent licensure in a recognized behavioral health field, or eligibility for NM licensure, as documented by out-of-state independent licensure.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
Preferred Qualifications
Earned doctorate in behavioral health field
Experience in an employee assistance program including supervisor consultations, outreach and education, and brief therapy
Supervisory experience in a university setting
Three or more years of clinical supervisory experience.
Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP) accreditation
Strong communication and public speaking skills
Strong written communication skills
Demonstrated effectiveness in organizational leadership
Demonstrated effectiveness in outreach and community education
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with counterparts from multiple organizations, communities, and disciplines
Demonstrated experience with and commitment to trauma-informed practice and communication in your clinical, supervisory, and leadership roles
A demonstrated commitment to cultivate an understanding of the rich and varied cultures of New Mexico and to the success of the university's mission to serve local and global communities
Experience and demonstrated success in planning and managing budgets
Demonstrated capacity for innovation and managing change.
Additional Requirements
 
Campus
Main - Albuquerque, NM
Department
Provost Office Staff (688A)
Employment Type
Staff
Staff Type
Contract
Term End Date
 
Status
Exempt
Pay
Negotiable, depending on education and experience
Benefits Eligible
This is a benefits eligible position. The University of New Mexico provides a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance. In addition, UNM offers educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs. See the Benefits home page for a more information.
ERB Statement
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.
Background Check Required
Yes
For Best Consideration Date
10/5/2026
Eligible for Hiring Incentive
 
Eligible for Remote Work
No
Eligible for Remote Work Statement
 
Application Instructions
Only applications submitted through the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job advertisement on a 3rd party site, please visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

A complete application will include a current resume; a cover letter expressing your interest in and qualifications for the position; and 3-5 professional references.
Questions can be sent to search coordinator, Jennifer Love at jenlov22@unm.edu.
Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.