Job description
About Our School
Launched in 2022, the Vancouver Independent School for Science and Technology (VISST) is a not-for-profit independent school and Vancouver’s first dedicated STEM high school. Students at VISST experience an accelerated and enriched STEM curriculum, real-world applications, project-based learning, and the opportunity to participate in governance of the school. Our unique sliding-scale allows for great socioeconomic diversity within the school. Our school hours are 10am-4pm Monday-Friday. In the 2026-27 school year, there will be between 80 and 90 students in the school. The best way to learn more about VISST is by visiting our website at .
About the Position
The school counsellor will be responsible for the well-being of VISST students. Responsibilities include 1:1 counselling sessions with students, liaising with parents as needed, and liaising with school staff to incorporate our understanding of the whole student in our teaching practice. This position also includes some general administrative work. An ideal candidate possesses warmth, clear communication, initiative, and clinical expertise.
For the 2026-27 cycle, this is a short term part time position. We are seeking a counsellor for approximately 3 days per week, with room for discussion on the exact number of days and how they are distributed over the average week. The length of the term is the duration of the maternity leave of the current School Counsellor, estimated to be 14 months .
Timeline
We are hiring with an expected start date of Jan 6, 2027 , and an anticipated end date of March 5, 2028 . Flexibility on the start and end date is a plus, but VISST is also willing to be flexible if needed.
Expected Qualifications
We will evaluate candidates in the following areas:
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Post-secondary training in counselling or psychology is required. Experience as a school counsellor is preferred. Standing as a registered clinical counsellor is preferred. Specific training in school counselling is a plus.
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Ability to connect with students. An ideal team member forms connections with students, is curious about students, , earns the respect of students, and serves as a positive role model in students’ lives. We seek those who are not only interested in their own role at the school, but also in students and their success.
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Ability to work with others. We are more than a collection of individual teachers and staff: we are an education team. It is critical that all our members contribute positively to our work environment. We seek those who possess warmth, generosity, humility and openness to feedback.
Beyond the above, we also love working with those who possess a bit of a rebellious spirit and perhaps some dissatisfaction with the status quo in education. VISST is a chance to do something different, and we hope that you are likewise excited about making the most of the freedom and opportunity this exciting situation provides.
Compensation
Our salaries are roughly in line with the Vancouver School Board compensation for school counsellors. Depending on experience level and academic qualifications, the annual salary ranges from $60,000 to $110,000 for full time, and compensation includes extended benefits and RRSP matching (extended extended benefit: getting to be part of the VISST community 😉)
How to Apply
Please send your resume and cover letter to careers@visst.ca . Please also attach your BC teacher certification if applicable.
About this occupation
This job is classed under Educational counsellors (NOC 41320) in Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC). Here’s how NOC describes the work in general; the posting above has the details for this job.
Educational counsellors advise current and prospective students on educational issues, career planning and personal development, and coordinate the provision of counselling services to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff. They are employed by school boards and post-secondary educational institutions.
Typical duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, time tables and scheduling, school adjustment, attendance problems and study skills
- Counsel students regarding career or vocational issues including career exploration and planning, résumé preparation, job interview skills and job search strategies and make available to them a wide range of educational and occupational information
- Coordinate co-op and school-to-work transition programs, and the provision of counselling and information services, such as career information, professional development sessions and exchanges with other educational institutions, to students, parents, teachers, faculty and staff
- Consult with teachers and parents or faculty and other professionals such as psychologists, speech therapists and social workers regarding various issues and concerns, and with administrators and community agencies regarding programs and referrals
- Administer and interpret standardized intelligence, personality, vocational, aptitude and interest tests
Usual requirements
- A bachelor's degree in counselling, career development, education or social sciences is required for counsellors in school settings.
- A master's degree in counselling psychology or a related field such as educational psychology, developmental psychology or social work is usually required.
- Educational counsellors in post-secondary settings require an undergraduate degree and may require a graduate degree. A particular academic specialization may also be required.
- In Quebec, membership in l'Ordre des conseillers et conseillères d'orientation is mandatory to use the titles ''vocational counsellor'', "guidance counsellor" and "vocational guidance counsellor".
AI Summary
What you’ll do
Provide one-to-one counselling sessions to students. Support the well-being of students. Liaise with parents as needed. Liaise with school staff to incorporate a whole-student understanding into teaching practice. Perform general administrative work
What you’ll need
Post-secondary training in counselling or psychology is required. Experience as a school counsellor is preferred. Registered clinical counsellor standing is preferred. Specific training in school counselling is an asset. Ability to connect with students and serve as a positive role model. Ability to work collaboratively as part of an education team. Warmth, generosity, humility, openness to feedback, and strong communication
Benefits
- Extended benefits
- RRSP matching