School Counsellor

Now hiring: School Counsellor 

Employment Terms: Full-Time, Permanent 

Start date: August 2026

We are currently seeking a School Counsellor who will work to meet the social and emotional needs of students.  They will collaborate with students, teachers, parents and administrators to support student learning and wellbeing. Specifically, this position will assist Preparatory students, teachers, parents and staff in understanding, preventing and addressing learning, behavioural, developmental and emotional challenges. Our school counselling program is developmental in nature and comprehensive, focusing on academic, social and personal growth for all students. 

In addition to providing responsive services and individual student planning, all Preparatory school counsellors collaborate with teachers to deliver a Health & Life Skills curriculum that includes exploration of topics such as wellbeing skills, character strengths, and content from the Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

Counselling, Student Wellbeing & Crisis Response

• Provide direct counselling to students and related support to families addressing social, emotional, behavioural, developmental and learning challenges;

• Provide a comprehensive counselling program for students, including individual and/or small group counselling/social skills training;

• Work with the school-wide counselling team to ensure an articulated counselling program and a safe, healthy school environment;

• Develop, plan, deliver & assess Health & Life Skills classes in the Preparatory School;

• Make recommendations to support academic, behavioral, social & emotional needs based on data;

• Coordinate with other counsellors and administration on student transition/orientation and transition between grades;

• Crisis intervention services that support students following natural disasters, violence, abuse, death or suicide by a student; both at divisional and whole school level;

• Adapt counselling techniques to meet the needs of a diverse school population.

Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with other school counsellors, the Prep Leadership Team, Centre for Learning, Student Health Services & other relevant personnel to ensure the academic and wellbeing programming meets the needs of students;

• Work closely with Centre for Learning, teachers and school psychologist to develop appropriate social emotional interventions for students; collaboratively support & implement OPRs, support plans & Behavioural Plans for identified students;

• Participate and/or facilitate Student Support Team meetings, IST meetings and referral processes to ensure students' needs are understood and met;

• Build capacity by providing consultation & coaching to faculty & staff;

• Act as a liaison with community agencies and allied professionals.

Professional Learning 

• Engage in professional development to ensure current research-supported practices are in place;

• Conduct family workshop sessions around pertinent issues relating to the social emotional wellbeing of students, parenting & positive communication;

• Lead and design professional development for teachers around pertinent issues relating to social emotional learning, wellbeing & behavioural management techniques;

• Provide support and guidance to teachers of Health & Life Skills (HLS).

School Culture

• Actively support and contribute to a positive school culture & climate;

• Contribute to the development of systems and practices that enhance learning and maintain a positive school atmosphere.

Other

• Contribute to UCC's co-curricular program;

• Consult with Children's Aid if required;

• Other duties as appropriately assigned by the Clinical Lead/Director Wernham West Centre for Learning and Student Services/Prep Leadership Team. 

Job Requirements

Experience, Knowledge and Competencies: 

• Completion of university, college or other registered counsellor program;

• Current registration and membership in good standing with the appropriate accredited association (ie: Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers, College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario, Ontario Association of Child and Youth Care);

• A Bachelor or Master Degree in Social Work is an asset or advanced mental health degree such as a Masters or PhD in Psychology, Counselling, Child and Youth Studies or Social Work;

• Five years of experience counselling children, youth and families in an elementary school setting or similar educational setting;

• Experience with children (Year 6-7)) and an understanding of the school environment is preferable;

• Experience in crisis management & response is an asset;

• Experience teaching in a classroom setting is desirable;

• Experience of using technology in ways that are consistent with ethical and responsible professional practice;

• Knowledge of local and regional community resources in order to promote timely referrals for students and families is essential;

• Knowledge of how to apply provincial policies and regulations in the delivery of school counselling services;

• Knowledge of emerging social emotional issues affecting children and youth, and recommended research-based solutions;

• Knowledge of standards, emerging issues and best practices for the development and delivery  of wellbeing programs;

• Knowledge of how to maintain confidentiality of student records and information;

• Ability to assess emergency situations of social and emotional nature and determine immediate appropriate action and follow-up requirements;

• Ability to interact with students, staff and parents on highly sensitive issues, provide advice and guidance, and gain their confidence; 

• Ability to determine when and how to contact other health care professionals regarding the care of individual students or the student body in general, and to determine the appropriate disclosure of information;

• Ability to engage students in wellbeing and learning opportunities.

What We Offer

• Unparalleled opportunities for professional development including workshops, networking sessions, a leadership program, and visiting experts and scholars;

• Flexibility to substitute statutory holidays in recognition of diverse religious and cultural practices;

• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans, including health care and lifestyle spending accounts;

• Pension plan, generous vacation time, self-funded sabbaticals, parental leave top-up; 

• Significant support for personal and family wellbeing and mental health, including the Employee and Family Assistance Program;

• Paid volunteer time off for involvement in the communities that matter to you; 

• Social events for colleagues and their families;

• Collaborative and supportive team members and colleagues;

• Free on-campus parking.

About UCC

Upper Canada College (UCC) is focused on making the world a more just and inclusive place through dialogue and teamwork. With a commitment to equity and fairness, students learn that what makes us different as individuals makes us stronger as a community. A rigorous academic program is supported by accomplished faculty, exceptional co-curricular programming, and state-of-the-art facilities.

The UCC experience is underpinned by five core values: learning, pluralism, service, community, and well-being.  Among its strategic goals is UCC's ambition to become more diverse and inclusive. This is supported by a recognition that no learning community is whole without the inclusion and amplification of multiple voices; UCC is committed to fostering belonging, striving for jus­­tice and peace among all people, and addressing systemic and structural forms of oppression.

UCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity, encouraging applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ and historically marginalized persons.  UCC embraces pluralism – celebrating differences, cherishing similarities, and giving voice to multiple perspectives.

This job is for an existing vacancy. Compensation is based on the faculty salary grid which varies by qualifications and years of teaching experience. The salary range is $77,221 to $121, 547. For the full grid, please see the careers site. 

Please apply on ADP by Thursday, 26th February 2026, no later than 3:00PM. We thank all candidates in advance; however, we will contact only those selected for an interview. Artificial intelligence tools may be used at certain stages of the recruitment and selection process.

To learn more about UCC, please visit  and