Social Worker (26-27 School Year)
Exploration Elementary Charter School for Science and Technology · Rochester, NY · 2 days ago
On-siteOTHRFull-time
Position Summary
The School Social Worker serves as a critical member of the Wellness Team by providing direct social-emotional, behavioral, and family support services to students and families. This position is responsible for helping remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ emotional, behavioral, social, and mental health needs. The School Social Worker collaborates with staff, families, community, organizations, and outside providers to promote student success and overall well-being.
Essential Job Responsibilities
- Provides individual and group counseling services to address students’ emotional, behavioral, social, and academic challenges.
- Supports students in developing coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, self-awareness, and conflict resolution skills.
- Counsels students and conducts student needs assessments, developing individualized intervention plans based on student needs.
- Aids in identifying students needing Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions and supports their implementation through MTSS systems.
- Responds promptly to crisis situations, including mental health emergencies, family crises, behavioral escalations, and safety concerns.
- Demonstrates sound professional judgment regarding mandated reporting responsibilities, including CPS referrals and safety planning.
- Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and emotional consistency during difficult or high-stress situations.
- Serves as a liaison between the school and families to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration.
- Provides proactive family support by identifying needs, connecting families to resources, and assisting families through support processes when necessary.
- Supports families with accessing resources such as counseling services, housing supports, food assistance, healthcare access, transportation, and community-based services.
- Collaborates with teachers, deans, wellness staff, administrators, and outside providers to create plans that support student success.
- Learns and supports the implementation of the school’s SEL curriculum and wellness initiatives.
- Plays a lead role in leading and supporting the implementation of the school’s SEL curriculum and wellness initiatives.
- Plans, organizes, and facilitates weekly Town Halls for grades K-5 to ensure grade-level SEL instruction and community-building opportunities occur consistently.
- Serves as a resource for staff with SEL implementation and provides guidance regarding social-emotional supports within classrooms.
- Manages and documents all outside counseling and therapy providers working within the school setting.
- Maintains an updated and confidential list of students receiving outside counseling or therapeutic services.
- Coordinates and communicates with outside providers to support continuity of care for students and families.
- Builds and maintains relationships with community organizations and service providers to expand available supports for students and families.
- Assists in planning and facilitating family workshops, wellness nights, attendance initiatives, and parent engagement opportunities.
- Supports initiatives focused on reducing chronic absenteeism, improving student behavior, and increasing student engagement.
- Participates in SST meetings, behavior planning meetings, restorative conferences, and student support meetings.
- Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential documentation regarding counseling services, interventions, referrals, and family supports.
- Prepares reports, summaries, and data reviews for school leadership as needed.
- Participates in professional development opportunities, team meetings, and schoolwide activities.
- Regularly uses Google Workspace and school-based technology systems for communication, documentation, scheduling, and organization.
Requirements
- Knowledge of traumainformed practices, restorative approaches, social emotional learning, crisis intervention, and child development.
- Understanding of mandated reporting responsibilities, confidentiality practices, and ethical social work standards.
- Strong interpersonal, counseling, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to maintain professionalism, emotional regulation, and sound judgment during high-stress situations.
- Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills to support individualized student and family needs.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, families, and community partners.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
- Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
- Capacity for reflection, feedback, and continuous professional growth.
Qualifications
- Fingerprint clearance from the NYS Department of Education.
- Ability to work flexible hours for family meetings, school events, crisis response situations, and wellness programming as needed.
- Ability to maintain confidential records and sensitive student/family information appropriately.
- Proficiency in Google Workspace, student information systems, and documentation platforms.
- Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution required.
- Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent New York State licensure required.
- Experience working with children and families in urban, charter, or high-needs school settings preferred.
- Experience providing counseling, crisis intervention, and family support services strongly preferred.
- Experience with trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and culturally responsive interventions preferred.
- Experience collaborating with outside agencies, mental health providers, and community organizations preferred.