Scale: Faculty
Supervisor: Director of Personal & Academic Counseling (Direct Supervisor) 
                   College Counseling Director (Co-Supervisor)
Division:      Upper School

JOB SUMMARY 

Adolescents face unique and diverse challenges, both personally and developmentally, that have an impact on academic achievement. This Counselor assumes overall responsibility for supporting Grade 9-12 students as they develop personal and social competencies. This role also takes on responsibilities for a reduced college counseling caseload as described below. 

Major Responsibilities

• Provides short term individual and/or group or counseling which addresses personal, academic, social, and/or behavioral issues.
• Assists students with the development of realistic personal, social, and academic goals.
• Values and responds to the diversity and individual differences of students.
• Assists students with course planning and registration.
• Coordinates and champions course options through the Global Online Academy (GOA)
• Consults, collaborates, and liaises with parents, administrators, school psychologists, teachers and outside professionals regarding social, emotional, and academic needs of individual students.
• Meets individually at least twice with all advisees/counselees over the course of a school year.
• Coordinates the orientation program for new Upper School students and parents.
• Provides transitions program for both new and departing students and parents.
• Serves as an Advisor 
• Assists families with referrals to outside agencies.
• Responds to and leads when crisis situations arise and participates in the Crisis Response Team as necessary.
• Attends and actively contributes to mandatory meetings (K-12 counselors, counselors and Upper School administration).
• Liaises between Advisory (Dean of Students’ Office, Upper School Administration), Academic & Personal Counseling, and College Counseling (transitions)
• Contributes to and provides parent education workshops and professional development workshops for staff.
• Counsels students on the college search and application process, including self-exploration, goal-setting, self-advocacy, and application review. Also, provides support through the required school-based components of the application, including producing a comprehensive and creative counselor letter of recommendation for each student.
• Consult regularly with college admissions representatives on current practices and admissions trends and to advocate on behalf of student applicants through phone conversations, email interactions, attendance at conferences, participation in visitation programs or initiatives, and hosting college admissions representatives on campus.
• Assumes responsibility for remaining current on best practices.
• Participates in the life of TAS through attendance at events and leadership of extracurricular activities, with an expectation to be involved in student life through coaching, club sponsorship, etc..

Caseload:

Approximately 50% College Counseling (roughly 15-20 students), 50% Academic & Personal Counseling students (about 90-100 students), as well as interdepartmental and divisional work. Thus, the caseload for this comprehensive counselor would be approximately 100-120 students in total.

Essential Qualifications/Experience

• Masters’ degree in School Counseling or related field with evidence of counseling certification.
• Minimum five years of experience counseling adolescents in a high school setting.
• A commitment to the safeguarding and welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
• Engaging interpersonal skills.
• Strong communication (oral and written) and presentation skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Evidence of significant recent professional development.
• Knowledge and understanding of international and/or independent school communities.

Recommended/Desired Qualifications/Experience

Experience working with diverse, multicultural, and multilingual student and parent populations preferred. Admissions experience at a selective institution or college counseling experience in an independent school setting.

Preferred Skills & Qualities

Organized, collaborative, supportive, ambitious, outgoing, service-oriented, strong communication and presentation skills, attention to detail, outstanding writing skills, capable of working with multiple constituencies (including students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators, trustees), strong work ethic and ability to multi-task.

Professional Development

Self-motivated to pursue opportunities for professional growth and school exposure through participation in professional organizations such as International School Counselor Association (ISCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the International Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), The College Board, etc.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three professional references through the online link below. Please note that direct applications via email or other channels will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as Taipei American School reserves the right to close the selection process at any time.