Employee Assistance Counselor

Please note: Employment in this position is contingent upon the successful award of the associated contract.

General Description

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor provides confidential short-term counseling, crisis intervention, and referral services to NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) employees and their families. This role is essential in supporting individuals facing personal or work-related challenges—such as stress, substance abuse, and family concerns—and in promoting mental wellness across the workplace through education, outreach, and collaboration.

How You Will Fulfill Your Mission

• Provide short-term mental health counseling, crisis intervention, and support services to NASA civil servants, contractors, and their families.
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and connect clients with appropriate community-based or specialized mental health resources.
• Consult with managers and supervisors regarding employee performance or behavioral issues, and guide appropriate EAP referrals.
• Lead or support Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) interventions following traumatic events such as workplace violence, accidents, disasters, or employee deaths.
• Promote awareness of EAP services through trainings, briefings, outreach events, and distribution of brochures and materials.
• Support the Drug-Free Workplace program by assessing and guiding voluntary and mandatory referrals related to substance use concerns.
• Collaborate with the on-site Medical Clinic to address mental health issues, including tobacco cessation and behavior modification counseling.
• Maintain current knowledge of national and local mental health providers and services.
• Offer educational sessions focused on mental health awareness, stress management, resilience, and well-being.

The duties and responsibilities described in this position description in no way state or imply that these are the only duties performed. This position may require that additional duties and responsibilities be performed.

Why We Value You

• You are able to work independently and show a high level of initiative and attention to detail.
• You have a consistent character and do not yield to pressure to compromise or cut corners.
• You have a strong ability to communicate effectively with superiors, colleagues, and customers by clearly expressing your intent and understanding the focus and purpose of the conversation while allowing each person to get their point across.
• You are open to new ideas and innovations and can create modifications or changes in yourself to adapt or suit a new environment/situation.
• You have faith in your own ideas and ability to be successful.

You hold yourself to the highest standard and work to inspire your team to produce quality work.

Specific Knowledge/Certification Requirements

• Must pass Company and NASA background checks and be eligible for a NASA security badge.
• Master’s degree in social work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field.
• Licensed or license-eligible as an LCSW or LPC in both Mississippi and Louisiana.
• Familiarity with community mental health resources, referral protocols, and managed care systems for effective benefit utilization.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality practices and ethical standards per NASW, NBCC, and EAPA guidelines.
• Knowledge of Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) principles and basic FEMA Incident Command protocols.
• Understanding of current substance abuse trends and treatment options.
• Commitment to pursuing certification as a Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP).
• Ability to collaborate across diverse teams and organizational levels in a multicultural environment.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods of time; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear; have sufficient manual dexterity to operate a keyboard, calculator, telephone, and other such office equipment as necessary; may occasionally move and/or lift up to 50 pounds or more with assistance. Specific visual abilities required by the job include close vision, distant vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust and focus.
• Work Environment: Work will mainly be performed in an office setting and occasionally with irregular hours.
• Travel: A low amount of travel away from office may be required.