Counsellor

Senior School (Gr. 8-12)

Full-Time, 1.0 FTE

Working at York House School

York House School is a vibrant and close-knit school community where people feel valued, engaged, and connected to the school. All staff contribute towards empowering our students to develop the knowledge, skills, and competencies to succeed in the world beyond our doors. On our path to creating a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future, we share the belief that individuals have inherent rights and deserve to be respected for who they are; that every member of our community belongs here and feels included; that we must treat others with dignity and expect the same in return.

About this Role

York House School is inviting applications from compassionate, inspiring, and energetic Counsellors committed to supporting our students in living happy, healthy lives. The Senior School Counsellor (SSC) works with students to support their personal, social, and educational needs in all matters of mental health and wellness. The SSC works closely with our current counsellor to provide a proactive, strengths-based, and preventative school counselling program. The SSC is an integral member of the School-Based Team (SBT) and works in collaboration and partnership with the Learning Strategies Coordinator, the Director of the Senior School, and the Assistant Director of the Senior School. As well, the SCC assists faculty where needed with program planning and delivery of social and emotional learning topics.

Qualifications

• British Columbia Teacher Certification or Independent School Teacher Certificate
• Master of Counselling Psychology
• A member of (or ability to register with) the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors as a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
• Five years experience in a clinical counselling role is preferred
• Experience in urgent mental health assessment (such as Child and Adolescent Response Team, CART) is an asset
• Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Comprehensive Training is an asset
• Experience with Restorative Practices is an asset
• Independent School experience is considered an asset
• Extra-curricular experience is an asset

Responsibilities

Counselling: The Senior School Counsellor (SSC) provides individual and small group counselling services to meet the developmental and preventive social and emotional needs of students.

• Plans collaboratively with students, their families, teachers, administrators, and community agency personnel to develop effective strategies to promote the educational, social, and emotional development of students.
• Provides a continuum of preventative, developmental, remedial, and intervention services and programs within the school environment
• Incorporates family support for addressing student issues and provides referrals to appropriate community agencies, resources, or other support services
• Involvement in school life activities, including supporting the co-curricular program as an advisor or sponsor.

Program Planning: The SSC works collaboratively with another Senior School Counsellor to develop and implement the school counselling program.

• Initiates and coordinates, and/or assists in mental health and well-being education activities and learning as part of the Senior School Wellness Hub Team
• Provides support to other educators in implementing health education and promoting a healthy school environment
• Works with teachers to provide additional classroom support and strategies as appropriate
• Supports teachers with the delivery of preventative curriculum through the use of guest speakers and workshops
• Oversight and coordination of the Peer Listening Program
• Works with the Wellness Wednesday Planning Team with a view to periodic co-development and co-facilitation workshops and activities related to social and emotional learning
• Collaborates with the leadership team and teachers to design and implement behaviour management interventions
• Promotes a safe, inclusive, and caring school environment
• Provide direct support and/or intervention to small groups of students as needed in Teacher Advisory Groups
• Consults with students, parents, teachers, Junior School counsellors, and other school and community personnel to assist in meeting the needs of students

• Presents instructional/informational programs to groups of students, parents, and teachers (e.g., parent education programs, group guidance)
• Adheres to ethical standards of the counselling profession and abides by the laws, policies, and procedures that govern the schools. The SSC also participates in professional associations and upgrades professional knowledge and skills when needed.

• Carries out other school duties assigned
• Takes part in professional development activities to improve knowledge and skills and to share own research/learning within and beyond York House School.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Demonstrated exceptional organizational, planning, and time management skills
• Positive mindset, committed to personal wellness, motivated, resourceful and detail-oriented
• A strong understanding of the social-emotional development of children and teenagers
• A strong understanding of strategies and resources needed to effectively deal with a variety of mental health and well-being issues
• A high degree of emotional intelligence and the ability to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, and professionally

• Demonstrates knowledge of consulting processes and techniques with students, parents, teachers, and administrators
• Collaborative and flexible, supportive, and effective team-player
• Exceptional interpersonal skills to establish connections and build trust and rapport with students, parents and teachers
• Experience counselling students with anxiety, depression, and unique learning styles and other needs

Faculty at York House are provided with the following:

• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• Small class sizes and time for planning and working collaboratively
• Access to exceptional resources
• A robust peer Mentorship Program
• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package

Review our Career Page for more information about benefits and programs for staff.

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as they arrive. All employees of YHS must be able to provide a passed vulnerable sector screening criminal record report. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Compensation is based on qualifications and teaching experience per the salary grid in the Collective Agreement with BCGEU.

About York House School

York House School, located in the heart of Vancouver, is one of Canada's leading independent schools for girls. Founded in 1932 by seven progressive and insightful women, York House provides an outstanding education for approximately 650 girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12. For more information about York House School, please visit our website at yorkhouse.ca.