Counsellor, Permanent Part-Time

School Jobs; Christchurch; On-site; NZD 45,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Christchurch Girls’ High School | Te Kura o Hine Waiora is seeking a dedicated Counsellor to provide confidential youth counselling and pastoral support. You will work with rangatahi, liaise with whānau and external services, and help navigate emotional and social challenges in a culturally safe environment.

The role is permanent, term-time only, 30 hours per week, with a start date of 27 January 2027. Applications close 1 November 2026 via the school website.

Qualifications

• Recognised tertiary counselling qualification and NZAC (full or provisional) registration.
• Experience counselling adolescents in education or youth mental health.
• High empathy and ethical practice.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Good administrative and digital capabilities, including Excel and bespoke school software.
• Willingness to work independently and collaboratively within staff.
• Accountability and follow-through in meeting students' needs.

Responsibilities

• Deliver confidential one-on-one counselling for ākonga.
• Manage student risk assessments and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate within the pastoral team and with Deans and SLT.
• Liaise with whānau and external support services.
• Maintain accurate clinical and administrative records.

Skills

Empathy

Communication skills

Professional ethics

Independent working

Team collaboration

Education

Tertiary counselling qualification

NZAC registration (full or provisional)

Tools

Excel

Bespoke school software

Job description

We are looking for a relational, dedicated and highly professional Counsellor who can build trusting therapeutic relationships and bring a calm, thoughtful approach to supporting young people with a wide range of social, emotional, behavioural and wellbeing needs.

This role provides student-centred counselling and responsive pastoral support, helping rangatahi navigate personal, social and emotional challenges within a culturally safe and restorative environment. The role also involves liaising, where appropriate, with pastoral staff, whānau and external agencies.

Key Responsibilities Include

• delivering confidential one-on-one counselling for ākonga;
• managing student risk assessments, safety planning and crisis intervention;
• collaborating effectively within our pastoral team, including Deans and senior leadership;
• liaising with whānau and external specialist support services;
• maintaining accurate and timely clinical and administrative records in accordance with school processes and professional requirements.

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate

• a recognised tertiary counselling qualification and current NZAC or equivalent registration (full or provisional);
• experience in counselling adolescents in an education or community youth mental health setting;
• high empathy, person‑centred practice, sound clinical judgement and a commitment to professional ethics;
• a reliable and conscientious work ethic, with excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• good administrative, organisational and digital capability, including confidence using Excel and learning and working across bespoke software systems;
• a commitment to working independently and proactively with rangatahi, while also collaborating effectively with key staff;
• a high level of personal accountability, reliability and initiative, particularly in identifying and responding to students' needs and maintaining appropriate follow-through.

The successful candidate will understand that effective school counselling is relational work that requires consistency, commitment and active engagement. They will take pride in creating a positive, safe and purposeful counselling experience for young people, while bringing the professional judgement, organisation and follow-through required to work effectively within a busy school environment.

This is a permanent, term-time only position of 30 hours per week.

The start date for this position is 27 January 2027.

Please See The Attached Job Description.

It is essential that all applications are made via the Christchurch Girls’ High School | Te Kura o Hine Waiora website.

For further information contact Monique Petersen, Executive Assistant to the Principal, at [e-mail]

Applications close at midnight on Sunday, 1 November 2026.