Pastoral Counselor, Secondary (August 2027)

CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL PTE LTD; Singapore; On-site; SGD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian International School (Singapore) is seeking a dedicated Pastoral Counselor for our Secondary School. The role focuses on supporting students' emotional, social, and academic wellbeing within the IB DP and MYP framework.

The counselor will work closely with students, parents, teachers, and staff to foster a nurturing, inclusive environment and implement evidence-based interventions, crisis support, and holistic development practices.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field.
• Minimum 3 years' experience as a counselor in an international school.
• Experience with IB DP/MYP is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in evidence-based therapies: CBT, SFBT, Motivational Interviewing.
• Crisis intervention skills for self-harm, safeguarding, and related issues.
• Excellent communication and ability to build trust with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Group facilitation skills and collaborative approach with staff and parents.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling services to secondary school students addressing emotional, social, and academic needs.
• Collaborate with students, parents, teachers, and staff to create a nurturing environment that promotes wellbeing.
• Support development of student welfare plans in line with IB DP and MYP frameworks.
• Maintain confidential and ethical practices while engaging with diverse families and staff.

Skills

Counseling

CBT

SFBT

Motivational Interviewing

Crisis intervention

Communication

Group facilitation

Cultural competence

Bilingual/multilingual

Collaboration with parents

Education

Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field

Job description

Canadian International School (Singapore) is a leading international school committed to providing an exceptional education grounded in the IB Diploma Programme (IB DP) and IB Middle Year Programme (IB MYP). We foster a supportive and inclusive community where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. We are currently seeking a dedicated Pastoral Counselor for our Secondary School to support the well-being and personal development of our students.

Job Overview:

The Pastoral Counselor will provide comprehensive counseling services to secondary school students, addressing their emotional, social, and academic needs. This role involves working closely with students, parents, teachers, and staff to create a nurturing environment that promotes mental health and student well-being within the framework of the IB DP and MYP curriculum.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or related field required.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience as a counselor within an international school context.
• Strong understanding of adolescent development and issues affecting secondary school students.
• Experience working within the IB Diploma Programme or similar international curricula is highly desirable.
• Evidence-Based Interventions: Proficiency in short-term counseling frameworks such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), and Motivational Interviewing.
• Crisis Intervention: The ability to perform immediate "Triage"-assessing for self-harm, suicidal ideation, or child protection issues (Safeguarding).
• Excellent communication skills with ability to build trustful relationships with students from diverse backgrounds.
• Skilled in individual counseling as well as group facilitation techniques.
• Culturally competent and able to work with culturally diverse staff and students in a bilingual and multilingual setting.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with educators and parents on student welfare plans.
• Knowledge of current best practices in pastoral care and mental health support for youth.

Values and Attitudes:

• Empathetic approach towards student challenges while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive environment respecting cultural diversity among students and staff.
• Proactive mindset focused on early intervention strategies for student well-being.
• Confidentiality sensitivity combined with ethical integrity.
• Passionate about supporting young people's growth beyond academics into holistic development.
• Collaborative team player who values open communication across departments.

If you are passionate about making a positive impact on young