Summary

Kenneth Gordon Maplewood Elementary School is a centre of excellence that empowers children K-12 with exceptionalities in a passionate, progressive and inspiring learning environment. The Counsellor is part of the KGMS Specialty Services team, which consists of Counsellors, an Occupational Therapist, a Developmental Specialist, and a Speech and Language Pathologist who collaborate to strengthen the student’s overall well-being and develop skills that support them in school and beyond. These supports can range from universal classroom support to strengthen Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) skills to goal-targeted interventions in an individual or group therapeutic setting. 

Duties may include, but are not limited to;

• Provide individual, group, and classroom sessions that focus on mental health and social-emotional learning.
• Work on a multi-disciplinary team to support the counselling framework and strengthen our school-based practices to support our diverse population.
• Assist parents, teachers, tutors and colleagues in understanding and responding to the developmental levels of students and their needs/concerns.
• Consult, liaise, and collaborate with parents/caregivers, teachers, administrators, tutors, and other educational and community resource professionals regarding students, providing resources and support as required.
• Make appropriate referrals to community programs/resources as needed
• Ability to exercise ethical decision-making and adhere to professional standards of school counselling
• Maintain up-to-date and accurate confidential records
• Ability to plan and conduct professional development for staff regarding mental health, equity, diversity and inclusion considerations
• Demonstrate continual professional development through workshops/conferences

Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of neurodivergent profiles and clinical counselling techniques that best support their unique brains
• Ability to understand behaviours and develop approaches and interventions that support positive behaviour growth
• Knowledgeable about a diverse range of issues, including mental health, bereavement and loss, transitions, gender, cultural and social needs
• Knowledge regarding reporting procedures for concerns such as child abuse, violence and drug issues
• Knowledge of classroom management techniques
• Knowledge of the DSM-5 and other assessment tools to assess needs, follow through with intervention plans, make community referrals and manage case confidentiality
• Knowledge and ability to use a variety of counselling theories and techniques to meet the developmental, preventive, and remedial needs of students
• Knowledge of RTI, FBA and SEL

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Counselling, School Counselling or Social Work, including a counselling practicum at an educational or CYMH setting
• Advanced coursework in neurodiversity, group counselling, testing and assessment, theories of various psychological and counselling methods/techniques and mental health
• Experience providing individual and group counselling
• Experience working with students of Indigenous/Inuit/Metis ancestry and knowledge of their culture and language is an asset
• BC Teacher Certification is an asset with successful classroom SEL teaching experience with students from K to 12
• Criminal Record Check

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified job seekers, from BIPOC (black, Indigenous, and people of colour), persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ (persons of all sexual orientations and genders). If you are an applicant with a disability, we will work with you to make reasonable workplace accommodations you may need for your best work performance.

How to apply

Please email your expression of interest to Human Resources at [email protected]. 

Position open until filled.