Position:
High School Personal & Academic Counselor

Reports to:
High School Principal 

About Canadian Academy: 

Canadian Academy is a not-for-profit, secular, gender-inclusive international school located in Kobe, Japan's seventh largest city. CA is accredited by CIS (Council of International Schools) and WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges), is an authorized three-programme International Baccalaureate World School, and is a member of TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools).  While most of the 690 students at CA are day students, our campus is also home to a small High School boarding program with a current enrollment of 40 students in Grades 9-12.

Canadian Academy faculty and staff inspire minds and nurture compassion by providing a rich and engaging programme that develops students' skills, promotes curiosity and love of learning, and prioritizes well-being. All students follow the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) in Grades 6-10, and most students pursue the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Grades 11 & 12, although 10-20% each year opt for a more personalized pathway to graduation that includes a mix of DP and other courses and leads to a CA Diploma. Some of our areas of focus over the next few years will be to further develop our graduation pathways to better meet the needs of our diverse learners, and to ensure that students have access to a broader range of opportunities for career exploration. 

Position Summary

The High School Personal and Academic Counselor provides comprehensive personal and academic counseling for students in Grades 9–12, supporting their well-being, growth, and adjustment through the high school years. Typically, the High School Personal and Academic Counselors remain with their grade groups for all four years.

This role primarily focuses on personal counseling, but includes academic guidance (e.g., supporting students in course selection and planning within the IB and CA Diploma programs). The Personal and Academic Counselor will collaborate closely with the University and Career Counselor to support students' academic engagement and future planning.

The High School Counseling Team will consist of two Personal and Academic Counselors and one  University & Careers Counselor, the Counseling Office Assistant, and the High School Leadership Team. All three counselors  report to the High School Principal. 

Major Areas of Responsibility:

Support students in Grades 9–12 to develop emotional well-being, resilience, self-awareness, and positive relationships within a safe, caring, and inclusive school environment. The role includes offering individual and group counseling, supporting crisis response and safeguarding procedures, and partnering with teachers and parents to promote a culture of care and belonging.

Student and Family Support

• Provide confidential, short-term individual and small-group counseling to support students' personal, social, and emotional development.
• Address issues such as stress management, peer and family relationships, identity and belonging, adjustment, and transitions.
• Support students experiencing emotional distress or personal challenges, making appropriate referrals to external professionals when needed.
• Collaborate with parents to strengthen understanding of adolescent development and to coordinate support strategies at home and school.
• Help students develop self-advocacy skills, emotional regulation, and positive coping mechanisms to enhance their overall well-being and learning.

Well-Being Education and Prevention

• Alongside the other Personal and Academic Counselor, collaborate to enhance and refine prevention programming in areas such as suicide awareness, substance abuse, and sexual health education.
• Contribute to orientation and transition programs for new students, including mid-year arrivals and graduating students.
• Promote a proactive approach to student well-being that emphasizes prevention, early identification, and community education.

Academic Counseling and Course Selection Advising

• Provide academic advising to support students' success, helping them understand graduation requirements, workload expectations, and course options.
• Collaborate with the University & Careers Counselor to ensure that students' course selections align with their evolving interests, strengths, and post-secondary aspirations.
• Support students in developing organization, time-management, and self-advocacy skills to navigate the academic demands of high school.
• Monitor student progress and, when needed, coordinate with teachers, learning support, and parents to implement strategies that enhance learning outcomes.
• Help students reflect on their academic growth and learning habits through regular check-ins and goal-setting conversations.
• Contribute to a school culture where academic care, balance, and well-being are intentionally connected.

Collaboration and Case Management

• Work closely with the other Personal and Academic Counselor to ensure balanced caseloads and coordinated support for students.
• Collaborate with advisors, teachers, learning support, and administration to identify students of concern and develop coordinated support plans.
• Participate in Student Support Team meetings, case conferences, and other interdisciplinary discussions.
• Maintain timely and accurate records of counseling interventions, parent communications, and referrals in accordance with school policy and confidentiality standards.
• Communicate regularly with families and staff, balancing discretion and transparency in support of student welfare.

Risk & Safeguarding

• Serve as a key member of the school's Safeguarding team.
• Respond promptly and professionally to crises involving student safety or well-being.
• Provide immediate emotional support to students and staff in times of crisis or loss.
• Support implementation of school-wide protocols for student protection, risk assessment, and follow-up.
• Contribute to staff training and awareness related to child protection, mental health first aid, and crisis intervention.

Program Development and School Culture

• Collaborate with other faculty to evaluate and enhance the SEL curriculum to ensure alignment across Grades 9–12.
• Use data to identify trends in student well-being and to inform program priorities and interventions.
• Partner with faculty and leadership to embed well-being principles into the culture, curriculum, and daily life of the school.
• Promote a positive, inclusive environment in which students feel connected, valued, and supported.
• Contribute to CA's ongoing commitment to compassion, community, and belonging through visible leadership in well-being initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, or related field
• Professional certification or licensure in counseling or psychology 
• Five years of counseling experience, ideally in an international or independent school context and familiarity with the developmental strengths and needs of high school students 
• Demonstrated skill in program development, workshop facilitation, and family engagement
• Knowledge and/or experience with the standards and practices of the American School Counselors Association and/or the International School Counselor Association
• Strong communication, presentation, and family-engagement skills across diverse cultural contexts; proficiency in Japanese or another language is an asset.
• Current training in Safeguarding Issues
• Commitment to short-term counseling modalities and engagement in building a community for referrals

Desired Personal Attributes

• Warm, approachable, and student-centered
• Culturally responsive and inclusive in practice
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Highly organized, adaptable, proactive, and able to manage multiple priorities calmly and effectively
• Collaborative and collegial team player who thrives in partnership with other counselors and academic leaders.
• Proactive and reflective practitioner committed to ongoing professional growth and program improvement