Counselor (Grade 3-5)

Hong Kong International School; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 520,000 - 760,000; Full time

Job summary

Hong Kong International School is seeking an experienced school counselor for the Upper Primary Division to provide proactive mental health wellbeing counseling and strategic interventions. The role includes delivering SEL lessons, supporting social-emotional development through MTSS, and planning division-wide initiatives.

Qualifications include a Masters in Counseling and at least five years of school counseling experience.

Qualifications

• Masters or advanced degree in Counseling or equivalent (School Counseling preferred).
• Minimum of five years experience as a counselor in a school context at the relevant grade/age level.
• Experience leading and facilitating parent and student groups within a culturally diverse setting.

Responsibilities

• Deliver developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented activities and curriculum to meet student needs and school goals.
• Assist students with developing academic, career and personal/social goals and plans.
• Provide individual and group counseling and support during times of crisis.
• Maintain and analyze data to review and guide program direction and emphasis.
• Undertake other duties as required to strengthen the department and school operations.

Skills

Counseling skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Curriculum development

SEL data analysis

Technology for counseling

Collaboration

Child safeguarding

Growth mindset

Cultural sensitivity

Education

Masters in Counseling

Job description

HKIS school counselors provide a comprehensive, developmental guidance program that promotes students’ personal, social, spiritual and educational development in accordance with recognized standards of practice for international school counselors.

The Upper Primary Division has 3 counselors, one per grade whose overarching goal is to provide proactive mental health wellbeing counseling services for all students and strategic counseling interventions to students in need.

• Delivery of regular SEL lessons to all classes in the grade using a variety of resources.
• Supporting students' social emotional development through the school’s Tier 1, 2, and 3 MTSS structures (e.g. whole class SEL, small group and individual supports)
• Planning and partnering for division-wide initiatives and special programs
• Liaising with admissions and administration for the Student Ambassador Program
• Collection of Student Wellbeing Data
• Supporting students with UP Camp

October 6, 2026

HKIS school counselors provide a comprehensive, developmental guidance program that promotes students’ personal, social, spiritual and educational development in accordance with recognized standards of practice for international school counselors.

The Upper Primary Division has 3 counselors, one per grade whose overarching goal is to provide proactive mental health wellbeing counseling services for all students and strategic counseling interventions to students in need.

• Delivery of regular SEL lessons to all classes in the grade using a variety of resources.
• Supporting students' social emotional development through the school’s Tier 1, 2, and 3 MTSS structures (e.g. whole class SEL, small group and individual supports)
• Planning and partnering for division-wide initiatives and special programs
• Liaising with admissions and administration for the Student Ambassador Program
• Collection of Student Wellbeing Data
• Supporting students with UP Camp

KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY:

Preventative services

• Implement developmentally appropriate and prevention-oriented activities and curriculum to meet student needs and school goals.
• Incorporate the life skills that students need to be successful in the twenty-first century.

Individual Guidance

• Assist students with developing academic, career and personal/social skills, goals and plans.
• Collaborate with parents and educators to support students in educational, career and life planning and decision-making.

Responsive Counseling Services

• Provide individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs.
• Provide support and resources for students, faculty and families during times of crisis.
• Implement an effective referral and follow-up process as needed.

Documentation and Monitoring

• Maintain and provide appropriate information to school personnel related to the comprehensive school counselling program.
• Collect and analyze data to review and guide program direction and emphasis.
• Monitor student performance data and facilitates interventions as needed.

Other

• Undertake other duties and functions as required that will impact and strengthen the contributions of the department and overall operations of the school.

Minimum requirements and qualifications:

Education:

• Masters or advanced degree in Counseling or equivalent (School Counseling preferred)

Experience:

• Minimum of five years experience as a counselor in a school context at the relevant grade/age level.
• Experience leading and facilitating parent and student groups within a culturally diverse setting

Competencies:

• Solid counseling knowledge and skills
• A growth mindset
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate with faculty, parents, students, and administrators
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Working understanding of the ISCA and/ or ASCA counseling framework
• Interest and experience in curriculum development and delivery, preferably in counseling curriculum
• Ability to collect and interpret individual and group SEL data
• Skilled in the use of technology for student planning, documentation, and the virtual delivery of counseling program
• Enthusiasm about collaboration and professional development
• Commitment to child safeguarding.

In order to successfully fulfil your role as a counselor, you are expected to meet the HKIS counselor competency standards as articulated in the Counselor Knowledge and Skills Rubric.

• Life-long learner: Passionate about professional and personal growth and continuously improving one’s teaching practices.
• Spiritually centered: Committed to understanding and respecting Christianity, other religions and spiritual journeys.
• Collaborative and relational: Enthusiastic about sharing professional practices and teamwork.
• Focused: Committed to the HKIS Mission, Vision, and Student Learning Results.
• Community builder: Willingness to participate in HKIS community events.
• Global minded: Understands, respects and appreciates diverse cultures, a sense of global stewardship and responsibility.

Child Protection Statement:

• At HKIS, each child’s welfare is paramount. We act to ensure that our students enjoy the right to be protected from harm and exploitation and have their welfare safeguarded.

Hong Kong International School (HKIS) offers a coeducational program for students from Pre-K to 12 (age 4-18), providing an American-style curriculum to US and international students and with English as the language of instruction. As a Christian school with an international outlook, HKIS is sensitive to the needs of its culturally and religiously diverse community of more than 40 nationalities represented among over 3,000 students.

Hong Kong International School (HKIS) offers a coeducational program for students from Pre-K to 12 (age 4-18), providing an American-style curriculum to US and international students and with English as the language of instruction. As a Christian school with an international outlook, HKIS is sensitive to the needs of its culturally and religiously diverse community of more than 40 nationalities represented among over 3,000 students.