Introduction

School Counselor – Primary School (100%, PYP)

About ICS

At the Inter-Community School Zurich (ICS), we are more than a school – we are a community where everyone feels welcome.

For over six decades, ICS has been proud to provide first-class education as Switzerland’s oldest international school and a leading IB World School.

Located just 10 km from Zurich’s old town, in the scenic village of Zumikon, we are surrounded by nature while being close to the heart of the city.

We believe in creating an environment where both students and staff can thrive, grow, and achieve their full potential.

Your Role

We are seeking a compassionate, skilled Primary School Counselor (100%) with strong experience in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) to join our Primary School team from August 2026.

You will play a central role in fostering the social, emotional, and developmental wellbeing of students from Early Years through Grade 5, supporting students, families, and teachers in building a nurturing, inclusive, and supportive learning environment aligned with the IB philosophy.

Specific Responsibilities

What you will do

Deliver a proactive, developmentally appropriate counseling programme aligned with the IB PYP framework and learner profile.

Provide individual and small-group counseling to support students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development.

Support students in developing self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, and positive relationships.

Collaborate closely with teachers to integrate wellbeing and social-emotional learning into the classroom and Units of Inquiry.

Support transitions, including entry into school, movement between grade levels, and transitions to Middle School.

Work in partnership with families to support student wellbeing and development.

Provide guidance and support in safeguarding and child protection matters.

Collaborate with the Primary School Principal, leadership team, and learning support team.

Contribute to school-wide wellbeing initiatives, professional development, and community programmes.

The successful candidate will have:

What makes you our ideal candidate

Master’s degree in School Counseling, Educational Psychology, Child Psychology, or related field (or licensed social worker equivalent).

Current certification or licensure as a School Counselor.

Proven experience working as a Primary School Counselor, in an IB PYP and/or international school environment.

Deep understanding of child development (ages 3–11), social-emotional learning, and preventative counseling approaches.

Strong understanding of the IB PYP philosophy and learner profile.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills with students, families, and staff.

Strong intercultural awareness and relationship-building skills.

Excellent English; German an advantage.

Swiss work permit or eligibility to work in Switzerland preferred.

Terms and Conditions

What we offer you: terms & benefits

• Flight and relocation allowance for international hires.
• Tailored support to find housing for international hires.
• Attractive pension contributions and social benefits.
• A supportive, international, and open-minded working environment.
• Opportunities for training and a dedicated professional development allowance.
• A meaningful role contributing directly to the wellbeing and development of young learners.

Applications should be addressed to:

Next Steps

If this opportunity resonates with you, please submit your application in PDF to Jenny Kollmann, Recruitment Specialist.

Planned start date:

01/08/2026

Job ID:

School Counselor – Primary School 100% m/w/x