High School Counselor

Hong Kong International School (HKIS) is seeking High School Counselors to implement a comprehensive and developmental guidance program that promotes students' personal, social, spiritual, and academic development. This program adheres to globally recognized standards for school counseling within international educational contexts.

Counselors at HKIS are expected to exemplify the school's mission:

“Dedicating our minds to inquiry, our hearts to compassion, and our lives to service and global understanding.”

The counseling model at HKIS High School is deliberately structured to cater to the varied needs of students through a community-oriented framework. The High School consists of four unique communities, each supported by a committed pair of counselors. These counselors collectively support about 50 students per grade within their designated community. Their collaboration focuses on:

• Advocating for students in academic, social/emotional, and college/career areas.
• Providing guidance and support through individual and group counseling, programming, and consultations.
• Fostering strong connections with students, families, and faculty to create a nurturing and inclusive school atmosphere.

This collaborative model aims to provide tailored support and guidance for each student throughout their high school experience.

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Professional Knowledge

• Exhibits understanding of SEL competencies (e.g., CASEL framework, ISCA standards) and academic and career exploration curricula to enhance HKIS programs and counseling practices.
• Awareness of current child safeguarding policies and standards, implementing strategies to ensure the wellbeing of all students.
• Recognizes the diverse interests, cultural backgrounds, strengths, talents, and spiritual identities of students and families, applying this knowledge in counseling and group seminar planning and execution.
• Stays informed about contemporary research regarding typical and atypical adolescent development, learning, and life transitions.

Requirements

• Experience within an evidence-based secondary counseling framework.
• A growth-oriented mindset.
• Background in counseling within diverse, multicultural environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with faculty, parents, students, and administrators.
• Proficient written and verbal communication abilities.
• Familiarity with the ISCA and/or ASCA counseling frameworks.
• Interest and experience in developing and delivering curriculum, particularly in counseling.
• Capacity to gather and analyze individual and group data.
• Proficient in using technology for student planning, documentation, and virtual counseling program delivery.
• Enthusiasm for collaboration and ongoing professional development.
• Commitment to child safeguarding principles.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team, including classroom teachers, administrators, learning specialists, parents, and external providers.
• Providing responsive services, including child protection and trauma crisis support.
• Conducting individual and small group solution-focused brief counseling sessions.
• Engaging in parent education and partnership initiatives (e.g., coffee mornings, parenting courses).
• Consulting with faculty.
• Delivering professional development for faculty, such as Child Protection and Mental Health training.
• Working with administration to facilitate seamless transitions for students entering or leaving HKIS.
• Delivering SEL and mental health and well-being lessons.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
• A Master’s or advanced degree in Counseling or a related field (School Counseling preferred).

Experience:
• At least five years of experience as a counselor in a school environment at the relevant grade/age level.
• Experience in leading and facilitating student and parent groups in a culturally diverse setting.
• Experience delivering counseling curricula through classroom or seminar formats.
• Familiarity with US, UK, and international college representatives and/or admissions processes.
• Understanding of global university admissions practices and experience assisting families throughout the application process, as well as familiarity with university application platforms.

Required Skills:
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Suite, MAIA Learning (or similar), PowerSchool, Schoology, and/or comparable school-based learning management and student information systems.
• Passion for teaching Counseling Seminars for grades 9-12 as part of a comprehensive high school Wellbeing program.
• Capability to identify strengths in oneself and others and to utilize personal strengths within a shared leadership framework.
• A positive, growth-oriented, student-centered mindset.

Child Protection Statement:
• At HKIS, the welfare of each child is of utmost importance. We are committed to ensuring that our students are protected from harm and exploitation, and that their welfare is safeguarded.

How to apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click "Apply" via Schrole.
We encourage you to explore more about our school and discover career opportunities within our exceptional HKIS community at https://www.hkis.edu.hk/
We look forward to your application!