Guidance Counsellor

Hillfield Strathallan College; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Hillfield Strathallan College seeks a Guidance Counsellor for their Senior School to enhance student success through comprehensive Student Services. Key responsibilities include academic and career counselling, supporting post-secondary transitions, and fostering student independence. Ideal candidates will have a strong educational background, significant counselling experience, and a commitment to student well-being.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Competitive salaries

Group benefits program

Inclusion in Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in academic advising or school counselling.
• Strong knowledge of university admissions and scholarships across Canada, the US, and internationally.
• Experience promoting social, emotional, and well-being of students.

Responsibilities

• Assist students in planning educational goals and track their achievement.
• Support the Student Success team in organizing information sessions.
• Write recommendation letters for students applying for post-secondary opportunities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in education

Additional qualifications in Guidance and Career Education

Job description

About Hillfield Strathallan College

Founded in 1901, Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) offers a seamless academic journey from 18 months to 18 years. Located on a 50-acre campus on Hamilton's West Mountain, HSC provides a unique educational pathway for students through four school offerings: Junior, Montessori, Middle and Senior. HSC prepares students to live with purpose – to understand their world, inspire, lead, act, and make a difference in their own unique ways.

We are currently recruiting for a comprehensive Guidance Counsellor in our Senior School (Gr. 9 – 12) beginning in mid-August 2025:

Position Overview

As a member of a collaborative and innovative team, the guidance counsellor will be assisting in the planning, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive Student Services program which includes academic and career counselling, social/emotional support, guiding students from grade 9 through to the post-secondary application process, supplemental applications in Canadian, US, UK, and international schools, post-secondary research, campus visits, scholarship opportunities, career inventory tools, and alternative pathways exploration. The candidate should be comfortable with technology and be familiar with different platforms such as OUAC, OCAS, UCAS, Common Application, and standardized testing (PSAT, SAT, ACT) and have expertise in supporting athletes in the NCAA/NAIA process.

Responsibilities Will Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Increase student success by supporting informed decision-making related to all educational goals
• Tracks student achievement throughout the reporting process and identifies and supports students at risk in collaboration with grade-level vice principals
• Assists students in the development of an educational plan, including investigating post-secondary programs of study and/or clarifying their educational goals
• Maintaining accurate student records in accordance with school policies and legal requirements
• Collaborate and liaise with the Student Success team: Learning Strategies teachers, school nurse, social worker, College Counsellor, as well as Chair of Wellbeing
• Supporting related teaching responsibilities across the guidance and post-secondary planning program
• Provides counsel to students related to alternatives, pathways, and impacts of changes to their educational plan through conversation, course selection, and to foster student independence and decision-making skills
• Supports the Student Success team in the organization of in-person, virtual and evening information sessions for parents and students on post-secondary destinations, career development, and student well-being
• Organize and plan guest speakers to enhance students' experience and assist them in dealing with social/emotional and adolescent issues
• Keeps informed and current on research, resources, post-secondary programs, alternate pathways of interest, and scholarship options, including those offered in Canada, the US, the UK, and internationally
• Write recommendation letters for students to support their applications for enrichment opportunities, post-secondary applications and/or scholarship applications and provide support for faculty writing reference letters
• Support students in their transition into Grade 9 and the transition out of Grade 12
• Contribute positively to the co-curricular life of the school
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications And Attributes

• Bachelor’s/Master’s degree in education
• Additional qualifications in Guidance and Career Education are required
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in academic advising, student services, or school counselling within a secondary or post-secondary setting.
• Strong knowledge of university admissions (Canada, U.S., and international), scholarships, and the post-secondary planning process.
• Outstanding interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with a wide range of students, families, and colleagues in a diverse school community.
• A growth mindset and a commitment to continuous self-development and professional learning.
• In addition to experience with post-secondary admissions, the candidate should have experience promoting the social, emotional, and well-being of students.
• Effective communication, a sense of humour, flexibility, creativity, strong organizational skills, problem-solving, and collaborative skills, along with expertise in presentations and attention to detail, are essential to the role.
• Expertise and awareness in diversity, equity and inclusion, and learning strategies are assets.
• Experience in coaching would be considered an asset.
  
  

Hillfield Strathallan College offers a positive working environment, competitive salaries, many professional development opportunities, a group benefits program, and inclusion, as appropriate, in the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. For more information, including application details, please visit our website at

Qualified applicants are invited to send a cover letter and resume by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025 to this .

Pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act , if you require accommodations at any time throughout the application process, please contact Human Resources prior to the closing date so the appropriate arrangements can be made.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.