Brookes Westshore School Society uses the International Baccalaureate as its platform for learning. At Brookes, we embrace and celebrate a diverse student body with learners that come from around the world. Our primary focus is the care of our students whose education and upbringing we hold with the most utmost regard and sense of responsibility.

Details of Position:

Posting Date: 2023/04/25

Closing Date: Open until filled

Subject: School Counselor

Status: Full time

Start Date: As soon as possible (2023/2024 school year)

The successful candidate will be required to:

The role of the school counselor is to support the mental health and well-being of the school community and develop/implement programming which supports positive outcomes for individuals and/or groups. This position will also promote the personal and social skills of students.

Position Description

The School Counselor will:

• Participate in school activities and be a person who role models effective communication in a variety of situations.
• Work with students individually to promote well-being and support mental health challenges, and in group settings to promote positive relationships in the classroom and in dormitories.
• Help to identify when students are experiencing mental health challenges and will collaborate to develop a plan and support the implementation of strategies to support their care and well-being.
• Provide short term counselling for students and refer those students who require additional support for long term counselling.
• Advocate for students
• Communicate with parents, faculty, and dormitory staff to develop care plans to manage student behavour/mental health.
• Collaborate with nurse, Director of dormitories, School administration and Community coordinator to plan and implement learning and/or dormitory care plans.
• Collaborate and plan with school administration and dormitory staff to create meaningful orientation activities to support student adjustment to the Brookes community.
• Collaborate with Access and inclusion coordinator to support the development of IEP’s.
• Support the development of policies related to mental health.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Manage a timetable which allows for sufficient coverage of day and boarding students. It is suggested the counselor work a 1300-2100 hour shift but these hours can be flexible.
• Attend dormitory and faculty weekly meetings.
• Attend orientation with dormitories and/or academics.
• Participate in orientation at the beginning of each year.
• Communicate with parents as required.
• Stay up to date on all BC Ministry of Education and Child Care programmes and services.
• Use ManageBac, MyEd and Reach effectively.
• Attend regular professional development to support development in the role.
• Learn about the IB programme and philosophy to support the counselor role.
• Provide an ASA which supports student mental health.
• Plan school wide activities to support and build a health community.
• Provide group activities within a classroom and dormitories to support community well-being. (eg anti-bulling, safe behaviours, internet safety, healthy relationships)
• Develop a curriculum plan (part of Career Ed-personal development) to support the delivery of Career Education across the grade levels.
• Incorporate the use of ATL skills (social and communication) to support student and community well-being.
• Collaborate with teachers to support the advisor program.
• Actively involved during the lunch hour and break for student/group support to facilitate positive community relationships. (a preventative approach)

Other Responsibilities:

• Support supervision and class coverage if required.
• Use of weekly faculty meetings and dormitory meetings to promote mental awareness and collaborate to promote community well-being.
• Involvement in community events.
• Use of advisor group time.
• Schedule a monthly Career Ed class for each grade level for the personal development component.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Education Psychology or Counselling Psychology
• Strong organizational, planning, and communication skills
• Proven ability to establish respectful relationships with youth
• Ability to support and deliver prevention and wellness programs
• Valid BC Teacher Certification (TRB) an asset
• Previous counselling experience at middle or high school level ideal
• Familiarity in a school environment preferred
• Required to complete and pass Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General criminal record check for vulnerable adults and children

Compensation

Brookes Westshore School Society offers a comprehensive total compensation package, small class sizes and a supportive teaching environment along with Employee and Employer paid benefit package, RRSP contributions and a lunch taxable benefit meal plan.

How to Apply:

Please apply with a cover letter and resume to careers@westshore.brookes.org. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position, however only those applicants that are shortlisted will be contacted.