School Social Worker (26-27 School Year)

About the School

Compass Charter School is an inquiry-based, progressive elementary school located in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Opened in 2014, we serve approximately 330 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Our mission is to provide a safe and nurturing educational environment that honors the individuality of each learner, equipping graduates with skills to lead fulfilling personal and professional lives. We center sustainability—environmental, racial, and economic justice—in our Integrated Curriculum and prioritize intentional access for children with special needs, those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and English language learners. Our staff collaborates in teams, engaging in professional inquiry through instructional coaching, reflection, and restorative, trauma-informed practices.

About the Role

The School Social Worker will collaborate with students, staff, and families to support mental health, wellbeing, and social-emotional skill development. A key member of our schoolwide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Team, this role involves mandated and intervention counseling, family consultation, and classroom collaboration. The Social Worker will also lead professional development, supervise interns, and contribute to schoolwide data analysis and problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Create and implement a vision for the mental health program in collaboration with the Student Support Team.
• Provide individual or group counseling services as mandated on student IEPs and to at-risk students with parent consent.
• Support the social-emotional growth of students with special needs and at-risk students.
• Develop, monitor, and analyze behavior intervention plans and data collection methodologies.
• Communicate regularly with teachers about students on caseload and identify students who may benefit from counseling.
• Conduct risk assessments, crisis intervention, mediation, and Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) as needed.
• Ensure compliance with IEPs in collaboration with the leadership team.
• Participate in Child Study Team, MTSS, and Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings.
• Observe classrooms to gather student information and provide teachers with strategy suggestions.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and ensure compliance with mandated reporting and schoolwide policies.
• Support student attendance improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with the MTSS Team to design and implement school-wide social-emotional curriculum.
• Provide social-emotional intervention through the MTSS process and share mental health, social service, and wellness resources with families.
• Communicate with families about student progress and provide community mental health referrals when requested.
• Create and lead workshops for families on social-emotional, parenting, and mental health topics.
• Collaborate with the mental health team to provide professional development for staff on mental health and social-emotional development.
• Partner with local higher education institutions to develop and manage a social work internship program.
• Supervise social work interns and actively participate in professional learning communities (e.g., literature circles, peer coaching, reflection meetings).
• Engage in the school’s decision-making process and maintain regular communication with families, students, and community partners.
• Foster positive relationships with students and staff and collaborate to create a safe, nurturing school culture.
• Support the school community with additional duties as requested.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (required).
• LMSW or LCSW in the state of New York (required).
• School Social Work Certification (required).
• 5 years of clinical experience as a social worker with elementary-aged children.
• 5 years of experience working in an elementary school setting (preferred).
• Experience leading professional development for staff (required).
• Ability to oversee and manage multiple programs and projects simultaneously.
• Educational philosophy aligned with the mission and vision of Compass Charter School.
• Experience creating and implementing social-emotional curriculum.
• Experience working with children with special needs.
• Strong collaboration skills with children, families, colleagues, and administrators.
• In-depth knowledge of child development.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and commitment to working with families from diverse backgrounds.
• Knowledge of the school neighborhood and nearby social services.
• Reflective practitioner with a willingness to share expertise and engage in continuous professional growth.
• Personal passions and interests that contribute to the school community.

Pay

Compass is a unionized charter school. The salary for this position ranges from $65,000 to $128,000 based on education level and years of experience.