Company Description

KIPP NYC Public Schools is a non-profit network of free, public charter schools that prepares students for success in college and life. In 1995 we started our first middle school, KIPP Academy, in The Bronx. Our goal was to graduate students with the strength of character and academic abilities needed to succeed in high school, college and beyond - and in so doing, to prove what is possible for all students. Today, our New York City network is comprised of eight elementary schools, nine middle schools, one high school, and KIPP Forward, a comprehensive support program for our alumni. KIPP NYC Public Schools currently serves more than 9,350 students and alumni and has a staff of more than 850. KIPP NYC is continuing to grow and opened two new middle schools and an elementary school August 2021!

All of the KIPP NYC elementary schools are adding a grade each year until they are fully grown schools with grades K-4.

Job Description

School social workers are responsible for supporting the emotional, social, academic and character growth and well-being of KIPP NYC students and families. Social workers play a vital role in ensuring our students succeed in school and go on to lead self-sufficient, successful, and happy lives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide direct services to the school community, including:
  • Providing regular one-on-one counseling or group counseling to students and families;
  • Providing crisis intervention as needed;
  • Managing, tracking, and documenting student interactions and counseling schedule;
  • Setting goals with students and tracking progress towards those goals;
  • Working directly with students to help them successfully work towards high school graduation, college matriculation and self-sufficiency;
  • Collaborating and communicating daily with supervisors, colleagues, and teachers to meet students' needs.
• Manage aspects of referral process for social services, partnerships, and special education services, including:
  • Provide support and documentation for all students with IEPs;
  • Meet regularly with students who have mandated counseling on their IEPs;
  • Conducting regular assessments of current and emerging student and family needs;
  • Developing and maintaining partnerships with external agencies;
  • Referring individuals and families to external resources and services and when necessary referring cases of suspected child abuse to the State Central Registry.
  • Monitoring and facilitating the delivery of external resources and services;
  • Administering records, documentation, and other compliance activities.
• Design and coordinate student engagement, family engagement, and family education activities, including:
  • Home visits for newly enrolled and current students, as appropriate;
  • Workshops to educate families, staff, and/or students on specific issues;
• Support Principal, Deans, and teachers when discipline issues arise.
• Participate actively in department meetings, faculty meetings, and other meetings.
• Consult with the school's Student Response Teams to develop comprehensive supports and interventions to students who are presenting challenging behaviors.
• Share responsibility for grade-level and school-wide activities, including chaperoning day and overnight trips.
• Provide recommendations to the staff and leadership team around approaches to working with struggling students.
• Implement and enhance the school's systems and culture by discussing character education with students.
• Meet with parents (English and Spanish-speaking) regularly regarding student issues.
• Establish a professional rapport and strong relationship with students, staff, and families.
• Display the highest ethical and professional behavior and confidentiality when working with students, parents, and staff.
• Ensure a safe, positive environment in group and one-on-one counseling sessions.
• Commit to professional growth.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills that contribute to a collegial working environment and a healthy measure of the character traits we value: zest, grit, hope, love, social intelligence, gratitude and a sense of humor.
• A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven school culture
• Documented track record of personal and professional success
• Extensive knowledge of adolescent development
• Experience in therapeutic modalities related to children and families from the communities KIPP NYC serves, including assessment and treatment of trauma
• Experience working within a school environment or extensive work with teenagers and young adults
• MSW or Master's degree in counseling-related discipline
• Oral and written fluency in Spanish highly preferred

Additional Information

This description is intended to describe the type of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities required by the employee.

KIPP NYC LLC is an anti-racist organization that believes in the importance of being diverse, equitable, and inclusive. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment that includes employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that enables us to better meet our mission and values while serving students and families throughout New York City. BIPOC, women, gender expansive, LGBTQIA+, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

KIPP NYC LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KIPP NYC LLC is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment.