School Counsellor (Grades 7-12) – IB World School
Regular
Internal/External Posting
Posting Date: June 5, 2026
Closing Date: June 28, 2026
Posting #2026031
Hours
1.00 FTE projected, dependent on Enrollment
Some evening work involved
Starting September 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027
Salary
Commensurate with placement on the SMS Salary Grid, based on years of teaching experience & education (TQS Category).
This is a bargaining unit position in the Professional Employees Association.
All candidates must hold a valid B.C. TRB Teacher’s Certificate and be legally able to work in Canada.
Summary
St. Margaret’s School (SMS) is Western Canada’s only girl-centered, independent day and boarding school located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada on the unceded traditional territories of the Esquimalt Nations, Songhees Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations. Founded in 1908, SMS is an international centre for girl-centered learning and leadership development, providing empowering education for girls from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 (boarding grades 7–12). St. Margaret’s School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) School offering the Diploma Programme, and we are a candidate school for the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).
The School Counsellor is vital in providing comprehensive social-emotional support to our students and teaching within the IB-aligned Social-Emotional Education Program. The Counsellor will leverage an understanding of the IB Learner Profile and educational philosophy, working closely with the Enrichment Coordinator, other Counsellors, Vice Principals, Boarding Staff, and the Management Team. This role is crucial in helping our young women develop the skills necessary for personal, social, and academic growth within a rigorous, supportive environment.
The Counsellor provides individual and group counselling services, and consults with students, parents, teachers, and community personnel to meet the distinct needs of IB students in an all-girls setting. Working as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team, the Counsellor uses human development and counselling theories to guide school-based practice, significantly increasing the well-being and academic resilience of our students. The Counsellor is expected to be comfortable teaching in the classroom, and further developing, leading, and implementing a holistic health and wellness curriculum that supports the unique developmental stages of girls.
Our school’s motto “service with love” embraces both individual pursuits and shared responsibilities. At SMS, we are a community of young women leaders, and teachers are required to participate in the extra-curricular life of the school, thereby educating the whole person and supporting our students to develop the full range of their skills, talents, and interests, preparing them for a global society.
Core Competencies
- Integrity & Trust
- Service Orientation
- Adaptability
- Innovation
- Resilience
- Professional Knowledge
- Communication & Collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities
- Collaborate with our School Based Team to collectively meet the needs of our learners, ensuring alignment with IB standards and practices.
- Initiate and coordinate school-wide counselling and mental health wellness initiatives, with a specific focus on the social-emotional well-being and unique challenges faced by young women.
- Serve as primary contact for at-risk girls seeking counselling services for personal and socio/emotional needs; undertake initial intervention strategies and refer to school and community resources as appropriate.
- Work collaboratively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Assist parents and teachers in understanding and responding to the developmental levels and academic pressures unique to girls in the IB system.
- Assist teachers with the integration of guidance activities into the curriculum/classroom, promoting the attributes of the IB Learner Profile.
- Help students resolve teacher and classroom concerns and assist students in developing advocacy and problem-solving skills, fostering a sense of self-agency among our students.
- Work with the Enrichment Team colleagues to assess student and program needs, set goals, and formulate a plan of action and evaluation, ensuring programs address the specific needs of our all-girls cohort.
- Document measurable progress and observations.
- Collect and analyze behavioural data and communicate results to the team.
- Participate in transition planning for students through the IB continuum (PYP to MYP, MYP to DP).
- Seek input from teachers and staff to make decisions about the school prevention, intervention, and services provided.
- Serve as a liaison between the school/girls' family/community.
- Provide brief individual supportive counselling and follow up to monitor students social-emotional needs, with expertise in addressing issues common among young women.
- Group facilitations for various types of support groups and/or interventions tailored to the all-girls environment.
- Referrals to specialist services in the community and implements specialists’ recommendations in the school context.
- Adhere to the ethical standards of the teaching and counselling profession.
- Follow the laws, policies and procedures governing school programs.
- May on occasion be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
- Demonstrated expertise in the social/emotional needs of girls in an all-girls school environment, including navigating academic pressure and social development.
- Superior communication, organizational and interpersonal skills in working with colleagues, parents support personnel within the school and larger community team.
Required Education & Experience
- BC Teacher certification
- Minimum 4-year Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling or a related field
- Master’s Degree preferred in School Counselling or Counselling Psychology.
- Minimum 3 years of counselling experience in an educational setting or social service agency where one of three years may be internship.
- Experience working with children/youth experiencing social/emotional challenges.
- Experience working within a diverse team.
- Experience interacting with students, family members, staff, visitors and government agencies.
- Experience supporting students with diverse backgrounds and identities.
- Prior experience working in an IB World School (PYP, MYP, or DP) is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in a single-sex (all-girls) educational environment is a significant asset.
Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Knowledge and training in Safer School procedures and protocols (Erase Tool)
- Knowledge of sources on adolescent health data and research used to develop health and wellness, and social emotional education.
- Knowledge of educational software for reporting and attendance.
- Knowledge of Mental Health screening tools and basic assessments.
- Skills to manage complex student wellness needs, particularly for young women.
- Skills to respond to acute mental health concerns or crisis and access required external services.
- Ability to negotiate with parents, teachers and support staff for students’ holistic wellness within the IB framework.
- Ability to support the delivery of social emotional programs and adapt according to class makeup.
- A second language would be considered an asset.
Valued Benefits
A career with St. Margaret’s School will offer you the opportunity to be part of dedicated team of professionals in a dynamic and rewarding educational environment. This position is located on the school campus, with access to rapid transit, on-site gym, and other amenities.
St. Margaret's School emphasizes a dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion across living, learning, and work environments. The school aims to have its workforce mirror the diversity of students and the community. Actively encouraging applications from groups facing historical or current equity barriers, the institution is committed to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive community. Employees needing employment support, technical aids, or accommodations, are encouraged to contact Human Resources [email protected].
Interested candidates are invited to submit an application package, including a covering letter, curriculum vitae and professional references, through Bamboo HR.
Questions email [email protected]
