Sigma Alternate School Counsellor

New Westminster Schools Career Opportunity

Temporary 0.70 FTE Sigma Alternate School Counsellor

About New Westminster Schools

Serving the community of New Westminster, the New Westminster School District provides high quality educational programs to over 7,000 students in a variety of learning environments. Located in the geographic centre of Metro Vancouver, New Westminster is a compact and growing urban centre with all the benefits of both city and small town life – ready access to a rich array of recreational and cultural pursuits, high quality public services, and the neighborly feel of a small community. Commitment to the success of its students and its staff makes New Westminster School District a great place to learn and to work.

New Westminster School District has a rich tapestry of cultures, backgrounds and needs. Together, we are a caring, inclusive, and committed learning community dedicated to supporting each of our unique learners.

The candidate will be part of, and work closely with, a collaborative team of teachers. An understanding of the BC Curriculum, effective teaching and learning practices, and a commitment to professional development are essential.

This position is effective January 5, 2026 and will end on June 30, 2026, with opportunity to apply via internal application process for the 26/27 school year.

The Sigma Alternate School Counsellor will provide intervention, consultative and preventative support services in order to facilitate the educational, personal, social and emotional development of students, and academic and career advising.

The Sigma Counsellor (0.7 FTE) plays a critical role in supporting the academic success, social-emotional well-being, and future planning of students in the Sigma Alternate program located within New Westminster Secondary School. This position provides individualized counselling, crisis intervention, and skill-building, while fostering strong connections with families and staff. The counsellor coordinates referrals to community and mental health agencies, assists with graduation and post-secondary planning, and ensures students have access to resources and supports both in and out of school. Collaboration with Indigenous Support Teams, Learning Support Teachers, and Youth Workers is essential, along with maintaining accurate documentation and leading Student-Based Team meetings. This role requires strong communication, organizational skills, and the ability to manage sensitive situations with discretion.

Required Qualifications & Desired Attributes:

• Masters degree in School Counselling
• Valid BC Teachers Certificate
• Knowledge of diverse student needs and inclusive practices
• Ability to support the delivery of prevention and wellness practices
• Awareness of community-based counselling services
• Ability to support and collaborate with School-Based Teams
• Experience in direct counselling for individuals, groups, youth, and families
• Experience in academic advising and career counselling
• Training and/or demonstrated experience in working with a team of professionals in an integrated case management environment and school based team
• Ability to work collaboratively with support staff, parents, and community agencies
• In depth knowledge of the 2008 Graduation Requirements including both the Dogwood and Adult Dogwood programs
• Experience using MyEducationBC and ability to support scheduling and course programming
• Excellent communication skills

Compensation:

• Salary as per Teachers' Collective Agreement. Current salary range is $59,724.00 to $110,833.00 annually plus comprehensive benefits package.

Application Process:

To apply for this position, click on the APPLY ONLINE button at the bottom of the page. Please include your cover letter, resume, transcripts, copies of certificates or diplomas, practicum and/or teacher evaluation report, and references..

School District No. 40 (New Westminster) is an equal opportunity employer. Successful Completion of a Criminal Record Search is a legislated requirement, and only those applicants legally entitled to work in Canada will be considered. New Westminster Schools values the time you have taken to submit your application; however, only those applicants selected to move forward will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.

The New Westminster School District recognizes and acknowledges the Qayqayt First Nation, as well as all Coast Salish peoples, on whose traditional and unceded territories we live, we learn, we play and we do our work.

School District No. 40 (New Westminster) is an equal opportunity employer. New Westminster Schools welcomes and encourages applications from women, visible minorities, indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, any gender identity or gender expression. If you require an accommodation through our hiring process, please include your request in the application email to

School District No. 40 (New Westminster) has been given approval from the Human Rights Tribunal for a Special Program under s.42(3) of the Human Rights Code. Under this special program, New Westminster Schools seeks to preferentially hire Indigenous persons to a variety of teaching positions. Therefore, each applicant may wish to provide, on a voluntary basis, whether they self-identify as a First Nations, Metis, or Inuit person.