SCHOOL COUNSELLOR (FULL-TIME)

Old School Ties; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Maritzburg College invites applications for a School Counsellor (Full-time) to join our Counselling Department and work closely with the existing counsellor. The role involves providing individual and group counselling, crisis intervention, and referral support for learners, staff, and boarding staff in a dynamic school environment.

Applicants must hold an Honours level counselling degree or equivalent, be registered with SACSSP or HPCSA, and have at least 5 years of experience with adolescents.

Qualifications

• Requires a counselling degree at minimum Honours level or equivalent.
• Must be registered with SACSSP or HPCSA (or equivalent) with good standing.
• Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience with adolescents.
• Strong knowledge of South African child protection laws.
• Experience with adolescent boys in high school/boarding environment is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual counselling and psycho-social support to learners in Forms 2–6 (Grades 8–12).
• Assess and provide crisis and trauma intervention and make referrals as needed.
• Support boarding establishment with counselling in collaboration with housemasters and staff.
• Provide supportive counselling and referral for staff where appropriate.
• Maintain confidential case records in line with HPCSA/SACSSP/POPIA requirements.

Skills

Communication

Active listening

Interpersonal skills

Trauma-informed counselling

Adolescent counselling

Education

Honours degree in Psychology

Masters degree in Psychology

Honours in Social Work

Job description

Maritzburg College, one of the leading boys’ schools in South Africa, has an excellent reputation for its academic, sporting, cultural and leadership programmes. The Governing Body invites applications from suitably qualified and experienced persons for the following post:

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR (Full-time)
To assume duty: 01 January 2027

We are seeking to appoint an experienced School Counsellor to join our Counselling Department, working in close collaboration with our existing School Counsellor.

Key Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Providing individual counselling and psycho-social support to learners in Forms 2–6 (Grades 8–12)
• Assess and provide crisis and trauma intervention and make appropriate referrals with external practitioners
• Providing support counselling to the Boarding Establishment, including collaboration with housemasters and boarding staff
• Providing supportive counselling and referral for staff where appropriate
• Maintaining confidential case records in line with HPCSA / SACSSP and POPIA requirements

Requirements:

• A counselling degree at the minimum of an Honours level, or a Masters degree in Psychology, or a degree with Honours in Social Work, or equivalent
• Must be currently registered with a professional body such as SACSSP or HPCSA (or equivalent) and proof of good standing
• A minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience working with adolescence
• Strong knowledge of South African Child protection laws
• Highly developed communication, listening and interpersonal skills
• Experience in working with adolescent boys in a high school / boarding environment will be advantageous
• Experience in trauma informed counselling will be advantageous
• Experience or a keen interest in developing emotional intelligence in adolescence will be advantageous
• A strong focus on consultation, collaboration and problem-solving within a multidisciplinary team

The successful candidate will be required to undergo all relevant child protection screening, including police clearance and checks against the National Register for Sex Offenders.

Closing date for all applications: 13 November 2026.

Maritzburg College in line with POPIA will attempt to ensure the confidentiality of all applicants for this role. All reasonable measures will be in place to protect personal information but will be used in the recruitment, selection, and reporting process. By submitting your application for this position, you are recognising and accepting this disclaimer.

We are committed to employment practices that promote equal opportunity and fair treatment. While all applications will be considered on merit, we particularly encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including African males and African females, in line with our commitment to transformation and diversity.

Maritzburg College reserves the right not to make an appointment.

An application in itself does not entitle the applicant to an interview.