Upper School Counselor

American School of Warsaw; Polska; Hybrid; PLN 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The American School of Warsaw seeks an Upper School Counselor to advance student success through a comprehensive counselling program addressing social, emotional, and developmental needs of Upper School students. The role collaborates with administration, faculty and admissions to support transitions, schedule planning and program delivery.

A university degree in education or counseling is required; at least two years of experience; certification is preferred.

Qualifications

• University degree in education, school counseling, or related field.
• Minimum two years of relevant experience.
• Certification as a School Guidance Counselor (preferred).
• Knowledge of IB MYP (preferred).
• Understanding adolescent development.

Responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive counseling program addressing social, emotional, academic, and career guidance.
• Collaborate with Upper School staff to coordinate scheduling and transitions.
• Support new and exiting students and families through transitions.
• Coordinate Student Support Team meetings and maintain records.
• Deliver a comprehensive counseling curriculum across divisions.

Skills

Counseling skills

Student support

Team collaboration

Adolescent development

Education

Bachelor's in Education or School Counseling

Job description

At ASW we are committed to being affirming, safe and welcoming. We believe that feeling safe, seen, heard and valued is essential to learning. And that when we belong, we feel connected to others and gain a better understanding of the world around us. Together we will actively seek to include and celebrate diversity as a strength of our community.

Position: Counselor

Division: Upper School

Contract: Full-time, starting August 1st, 2027

Position overview: The role of the Upper School Counselor is to promote student success through implementation of a comprehensive counselling program that is designed to address the social, emotional, and developmental needs of Upper School students.

Basic Qualifications and Requirements

• University degree in education, school counseling, or other relevant field (required)
• Minimum two years of experience in the given field (required)
• Certification as a School Guidance Counselor from an accredited institution (preferred)
• Knowledge of IB Middle Years Program (preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge of given field with an emphasis on adolescent development
• Awareness of student developmental needs and learning capacities

Major responsibilities

• Work together with the Upper School administration and faculty to use data to develop a comprehensive counseling program to include social, emotional, academic and career guidance
• Work together with Upper School Principal and Vice-Principals to schedule students and help resolve scheduling challenges
• Initiate contact, meet with, and support the transition of new students/families and exiting students/families
• Work with the other Upper School Counselors and the Admissions team to coordinate and organize beginning and end of the year events
• Review student applications
• Work with Learning Support and EAL teams to address needs of students
• Coordinate and run Student Support Team (SST) meetings for students who do not have an assigned case manager
• Maintain ongoing records of student and parent interactions
• Work with the Elementary and other Upper School Counselors to coordinate and deliver a comprehensive counseling curriculum
• Develop further the Advisory program in collaboration with Advisors and faculty members
• Participate in divisional and/or school-wide actions related to the school’s Child Protection Policy
• Facilitate transition programs from grade-to-grade and between school divisions
• Communicate the goals of the school counseling program to faculty, students, and parents

Counseling Program Delivery

• Design and implement educational activities to meet student needs and school goals
• Accurately and appropriately use school assessment procedures for determining and structuring individual and group counseling services
• Implement an effective student referral and follow-up process
• Assist students, individually or in groups, in ensuring the appropriate development of academic, social, and behavioural skills
• Cooperate with parents and faculty to assist students in ensuring the appropriate development of academic, social, and behavioural skills
• Provide short-term individual and group counseling to students with identified concerns and needs
• Maintain a referral list of psychological professional service providers in the community who would be able to work with families in need of long-term individual or family therapy

Assessment of Learning Results

• Monitor student academic performance, social development, behaviour issues, and school attendance and facilitates appropriate interventions
• Collect and analyze data to guide program direction and emphasisComplete a yearly program report to document and review the program effectiveness
• Measure results of the comprehensive school counseling program activities and share results as appropriate with relevant stakeholders

Learning Environment

• Arrange the meeting room to maximize learning while providing a safe environment
• Establish a climate of trust and teamwork by being fair, caring, respectful and enthusiastic
• Respect students’ diversity, including language, culture, race, gender, identity and special needs

Professionalism

• Collaborate and communicate effectively within the school community to promote student well-being and success
• Adhere to school policies and ethical guidelines
• Incorporate learning from professional growth opportunities into practice
• Set goals for improvement of knowledge and skills
• Engage in activities outside the classroom intended for school and student enhancement
• Demonstrate international mindedness by respecting diversity and taking an interest in various national and international traditions