HS Counselor

Position: High School Counselor
School Section: High School
Period of Appointment: 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2027 (subject to renewal)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Role Description / Working Relationships

The counselor is responsible to the HS Head of Counseling. The principle function of a counselor at WAB is to promote and support the development of the whole student throughthe delivery of quality and age appropriate services for students. These services mayencompass social, emotional and/or behavioral concerns, as well as academic advice andcollege placement.

The preferred service delivery model is one that will utilize primary, secondary and tertiaryinterventions.

A counselor at WAB is a member of a learning community and is expected to support andpromote the elements of the IB Learner Profile.

A counselor at WAB is expected to actively promote, support and strengthen the mission, vision and core values of the school. The successful candidate is also expected to contribute to  extracurricula activities and be involved in school development.

Job Specification

A counselor at WAB will have duties which may include:

Social Emotional Counseling:

• Conducting individual, family and group counseling in response to identified needs and referrals
• Planning and conducting information workshops for parent and staff groups in response to identified needs
• Providing classroom and small group instruction, in conjunction with Grade Level Leaders and the Head of Student Well-being on issues within the curriculum that are relevant to student needs
• Working with the Admissions Department to ensure the smooth transition of students and families into and out of WAB by providing information, counseling, and workshops
• Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to identify and support students with additional needs

Academic and College Advising:

• Guiding and advising academic course selection: meeting with students and parents, present at student/parent evenings to provide guidance on planning an appropriate academic program of study
• Scheduling academic courses: utilizing the school-wide database system for course selection, course changes and to produce transcripts
• Monitoring graduation credit status
• Organizing and conducting individual, group and parent-student college meetings and information evenings
• Coordinating on and off campus or virtual college visits
• Networking and marketing WAB to colleges and universities worldwide
• Supporting WAB staff to understand the college application process
• Membership and involvement in professional organizations that support international student tertiary education and their transition to university
• Writing individual student recommendations and providing supporting documents required for university applications and to guide faculty in writing subject specific letter of recommendations

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills;
• Familiarity with the goals, objectives, and mission of the Western Academy of Beijing;
• The ability to respond effectively to the needs of a diverse and demanding student and parent population;
• Knowledge of various colleges, academic programs, admission policies, and financial policies and procedures.

The successful applicant is expected to have the following skills, abilities, knowledgeand experience:

1. Personal Skills and Abilities

• Understanding and respect for young people to support them in resolving issues or concerns
• The ability to establish effective working relationships with staff, students, parents and outside resources
• To be an active, energetic and collaborative member of the counseling team and broader school teams
• To be efficient in managing time and priorities
• To develop and maintain comprehensive confidential records

2. Knowledge

• A sound understanding of current counseling approaches appropriate for an international school setting
• Understanding of issues impacting on children and families in transition in an international environment
• Understanding of the various college entry systems and process in countries throughout the world

3. Experience

• Minimum of two or more years successful experience as a school counselor
• Experience in the design and delivery of academic and college counseling programs in an international setting
• Experience in design and delivery of group programs to different audiences, in both large group and classroom settings

4. Qualifications

• The individual should hold professional qualifications that are equivalent to eligibility for registration as either a School Counselor or School Psychologist in their country of origin AND/OR educational qualifications, including 3 significant work experience and additional training in college and personal counseling
• Completed current school guidance counseling course(s)
• Commitment to undertake additional training in school and/or college counseling