School Counsellor

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION: School Counsellor

POSITION REPORTS TO: TBD

DIRECT REPORTS: None

TEAMS & COMMITTEES: Student Life Committee, School Wellness Committee, others TBD

COMPENSATION: FTE 60%; Salary commiserate with qualifications and experience

WHO WE ARE

The Armbrae Academy education experience encompasses not only the pursuit of academic excellence but also the formation of character and values. Our Be Kind, Work Hard philosophy underpins everything we do as we strive to develop and nurture balanced and principled students.

Armbrae Academy was founded in 1887 and is a co-educational PreSchool to Grade 12 university preparatory school with 350 students. Armbrae offers a structured but informal atmosphere that provides students an opportunity to form close relationships with peers and teachers. Armbrae is a member in good standing of the Canadian Accredited Independent Schools (CAIS) and is accredited by the Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development for Nova Scotia to grant the Nova Scotia high school leaving certificate.

Armbrae Academy is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible environment where everyone feels respected, valued and supported. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Please let us know the nature of any accommodation that you may require.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The School Counsellor is responsible for coordinating and delivering a comprehensive school counselling program that provides preventative and responsive services to support the personal, social, and educational needs of all students. The School Counselor will provide individual and small-group therapeutic support, implementing evidence-based interventions to foster social-emotional resilience. This role is pivotal in cultivating the executive functioning competencies, such as emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility, that are foundational to student academic achievement. The School Counsellor collaborates closely with teachers, student services team members, school leadership, and families to ensure a safe, inclusive environment that prioritizes the best interests of the student. In addition to those outlined below, the role may require other duties as determined by the Head or Deputy Head of School.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Counselling & Student Support

• Provide individual, small-group, and crisis counseling to address social-emotional concerns, interpersonal dynamics, and behavioral challenges.
• Engage with families, educators, and community agencies to design and implement holistic support strategies for student development.
• Collaborate with faculty to establish social-emotional learning (SEL) goals and formalize individualized student support plans.
• Support staff and students in restorative justice practices, conflict resolution programming, and the coordination of peer mentorship initiatives.

Program Development & Leadership

• Lead the counselling program across all grade levels, ensuring all services align with clinical best practices and institutional policies.
• Serve as a key member of the Student Services Team to identify at-risk students and coordinate integrated, multi-tiered interventions.
• Consult and team-teach with faculty to embed a comprehensive counseling curriculum and wellbeing initiatives into the classroom environment.
• Drive school-wide initiatives that prioritize mental health and a proactive culture of student wellness.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Advisory Program to ensure meaningful student-teacher connections and community building.

Staff Development & Coaching

• Coach and support teachers in applying new tools and developing skills, particularly in Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and conflict resolution, as well as other areas as needed.
• Lead professional development sessions for staff, focusing on youth mental health, trauma-informed practices, and adherence to child protection protocols.

General Responsibilities

• Maintain proactive, transparent, and empathetic communication with students, parents, and faculty to ensure a unified support network.
• Maintain precise, confidential student records in strict accordance with ethical standards and provincial privacy regulations.
• Uphold the highest standards of the counseling profession, modeling integrity and confidentiality in all institutional interactions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• A compassionate, collaborative, and confident leader and team member;
• Exceptional organizational skills and time management abilities, with a proven capacity to meet multiple deadlines.
• Effective group management skills in a classroom setting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively discuss sensitive topics with students, parents, school administrators, and other staff.
• A dedication to continuous professional development and growth.
• Energy, commitment, and a readiness to actively participate in the school's co-curricular program and the broader school community life.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in School Counselling, Counselling Psychology, or a related field.
• A member in good standing with the Nova Scotia Office of Teacher Certification and holds an endorsed Teacher Certificate (Elementary or Senior) or equivalent provincial or other certification.
• Minimum of 5 years of counselling experience in an educational setting, preferably within an independent school.