Athletics Mental Health and Performance Counselor

• 503656
• Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
• Staff
• Staff Full-time
• Closing at: Jun 22 2026 - 23:55 MDT

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Department Contact: Joseph Almaguer, 575-646-5448, ***email_hidden***

Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants

Advertising Summary: New Mexico State Athletics is home to 16 intercollegiate teams – and to some of the most dynamic sports squads in the nation. We look forward to you joining our team!

Position Details

Position Title: Athletics Mental Health and Performance Counselor

College/Division: Athletics

Department: 108000-ATHLETICS

Location: Las Cruces

Offsite Location (if applicable)

Target Hourly/Salary Rate: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0

FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon funding

Standard Work Schedule: Shift: Other Shift

If Not a Standard Work Schedule: Mornings, Nights, Weekends, Holidays

Job Duties and Responsibilities: The New Mexico State Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is seeking applications for the Director of Psychological Health and Performance. This role involves coordinating psychological services (evaluation, treatment, and education) for student-athletes in Division I athletics programs. The successful candidate will be a licensed mental health clinician dedicated to cultivating psychological wellness within the Athletics Department. Candidates should possess a strong understanding of the psychological demands of elite sport and display the ability to support both performance enhancement and mental health needs within intercollegiate athletics. This role will oversee mental performance evaluations, provide consultation and training to coaches, athletic trainers, academic staff, and other athletic department staff, and enhance participation and performance by teaching psychological principles and strategies for optimal mental health and improved sports performance. This role reports to the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Master’s or doctoral degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a related mental health field from an accredited institution. Licensure in New Mexico (e.g., LPCC, LCSW, LMFT, or licensed Psychologist) or eligibility for licensure within six months of hire.

Equivalent Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Prior experience working with high-performance athletes, preferably within NCAA Division I athletics, professional sports, Olympic sport programs, or elite training environments.
• Experience in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluation of effective programs for assisting student-athletes at the NCAA Division I level or equivalent.
• Familiarity with student-athlete mental health concerns, performance anxiety, injury recovery, and leadership development.
• Experience collaborating with coaches, sports medicine staff, athletic trainers, strength and conditioning personnel, and athletics administration.
• Certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology preferred.
• Experience working with developing populations (late adolescence/early adulthood).
• Multicultural competence and interest/expertise in trauma-informed therapeutic approaches.

Special Certification/Licensure

Licensure in New Mexico (e.g., LPCC, LCSW, LMFT, or licensed Psychologist) or eligibility for licensure within six months of hire.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

Physical Effort: Light physical effort. Effort applies to no more than two (2) hours per day.

Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.

Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Recruitment Summary

We are New Mexico’s land-grant institution and a comprehensive research university dedicated to teaching, research public service and outreach at all levels. NMSU is a welcoming community of talented faculty, staff and students who are working together to make a difference. We are a NASA Space Grant College, a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI), a minority-serving institution (MSI) and home to the first Honors College in New Mexico. We offer an accessible education that shapes bright futures.

NMSU provides learning opportunities to a diverse population of students and community members at four campuses, Cooperative Extension offices located in each of New Mexico’s 33 counties, 12 research and science centers, and through distance education.

NMSUGlobal Campus

Since 1888, NMSU has proudly embodied this tradition, building relationships that last a lifetime while serving students who want to earn their degree and grow in their field. Today, NMSU Global Campus provides flexible, career-focused online education that helps our students transform their lives – and the lives of the people they love – through over 70 degree and certificate programs, skill-building microlearning courses, and career and talent development.

NMSU Main Campus

Located in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University's 900-acre main campus is located at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25 in the Southwestern United States. As a thriving center of higher education, deeply rooted in the regional tradition, its role as a comprehensive university is recognized throughout the state.

Doña Ana Community College

Founded in 1973 in collaboration with local school districts to support occupational education, DACC is now a leading community college that provides transformative educational opportunities that meet the workforce needs of Doña Ana County. With a focus on access, innovation and excellence, DACC offers over ninety degrees and certificates, adult education, specialized workforce training, and small business assistance.

Alamogordo Campus

Established in 1958 to serve the needs of the airmen and families stationed at Holloman Air Force Base located only 10 miles west of Alamogordo, NMSUA is a community college with a long history of excellence that is supported by a caring community of hard-working students and dedicated faculty and staff. The campus is situated “on the hill” above Alamogordo and provides inspiring views of the city and the Tularosa Basin, offering the perfect venue for creative and motivated learning.

Grants Campus

NMSU Grants was established as a branch of New Mexico State University in 1968 through the cooperative efforts of New Mexico State University and Grants Municipal Schools. As a two-year branch community college, NMSU Grants serves the local communities in Cibola and McKinley counties, including the Pueblos of Acoma, Laguna, and Zuni, as well as Tohajiilee, San Mateo, San Rafael, Cubero, the City of Grants, and the Village of Milan.

Special Instructions to Applicants

The electronic application is the *official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application.

EEO Statement

New Mexico State University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factor.