Start Date: April 1, 2023 OR August 25, 2023 (dependent on applicant availability)
Department: Faculty
Reports to: Senior School Principal
Interfaces with: students, parents, faculty, staff, senior leadership

Position Overview:
The Senior School Guidance Counsellor (Grades 6-8) will report to the Senior School Principal and work closely with the Senior School Guidance Counsellor (Grades 9-12), students, parents, and staff to support the overall well-being of students. The G6-8 Guidance Counsellor will understand the social, emotional and developmental needs of middle years students. They will be an active part of the faculty and will lead the social and emotional learning (SEL) programming for Grades 6-8 by working closely with the Senior School Leadership and Student Life Teams, G9-12 Guidance Counsellor, and Advisors in proactively meeting the needs of students.

Qualifications:
* Bachelor of Education, Secondary (preferred)
* British Columbia Teacher certification (required)
* Master’s degree in counselling (required – in progress or completed)
* Registered Clinical Counsellor or Canadian Clinical Counsellor designation (preferred)
* IB experience and training (preferred)

Desired Qualities:
* A commitment to educating the whole student
* An open-minded, supportive and enthusiastic educator
* Collaborative and flexible, an effective team-player
* Ability to develop strong professional relationships with all stakeholders
* Experience developing and/or teaching guidance/advisory programming
* Strong communication, organizational and time-management skills
* A commitment to continuous professional growth and improvement
* Teaching and/or counselling experience within IB MYP and DP programmes

Job Duties:
Support of students in Grades 6-8, Career Education
* In collaboration with the Senior School Guidance Counsellor (Grades 9-12), Vice Principal and Principal, develop, lead and measure the impact of the Senior School Advisory Programme
* Provide personal, social and emotional counselling to individuals and small groups related to topics such as healthy relationships, stress management, coping skills, anxiety, self concept, self harm, etc.
* Develop and oversee SEL and wellness training and workshops for advisors
* Curate, maintain and distribute research-based information (to staff) on pertinent counselling, student wellness and SEL topics
* Demonstrate cultural responsiveness and a trauma informed approach in choosing actions/resources to support mental health of students
* Assist in mediation and conflict resolution, utilizing restorative justice practices
* Active involvement/leadership in a co-curricular activity
* Assist in the coordination of events which are focussed on issues that benefit students and foster an awareness of mental wellness topics and discussions, e.g. Pink Shirt Day, mental health awareness week, etc.
* Teach social emotional learning through community block/advisory classes/Careers block
* Lead the planning, organization and delivery of the Ministry of Education Career Education 6-8 curriculum

Teachers, Support Staff, and Administration
* Teach (sometimes in collaboration with advisors and/or classroom teachers) within the class or co- facilitate group presentations on SEL topics
* Work collaboratively with resource and learning support team to write mental health Individual Education Plans (IEPs)
* Support classroom teachers with the social emotional wellness of Grades 6-8 students
* Play an active role in the regular School Based Team “student care” Meetings
* Assist teachers and administration in identifying students who require programming adaptations
* Train teachers related to their child protection/duty to report responsibilities
* Support the mental health literacy of faculty through collaboration with faculty and administration to identify needs for ongoing professional development, including helping deliver and/or sourcing such training
* Provide crisis intervention and response as required, including participating as a member of the school’s Crisis Response Team
* Advocate for systemic change to reduce barriers to student learning and well-being
* Collaborate with Junior School counselor to support student transition to grade 6

Parents
* Respond to family concerns with students experiencing social or emotional difficulties in Gr 6-8
* Provide support services, including resources for social emotional development, for parents in collaboration with the faculty and administration
* Coordinate informative programmes, workshops and services for parents/guardians

Other responsibilities
* Maintain adequate records, analyze information and collaborate referral follow-up services
* Communicate with agencies, i.e. community services, public health, child protection, etc., as required
* Read professionally to stay current with intervention strategies and other programs
* Perform other duties as assigned
* Make referrals to outside agencies

Application Process:
All interested applicants should forward a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Please mention the job title, your name and application website in your subject line.

We thank all applicants for their interest in working at Stratford Hall. However, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We are committed to supporting a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring a barrier-free work environment. We welcome applications from all internal applicants, including applicants from historically underrepresented groups such as BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color), persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ (persons of all sexual orientations and genders). If you are an internal applicant with a disability, and require accommodation in either the recruitment process or on the job, we will work together with you to provide the reasonable workplace accommodations you need.