Middle School Social Worker 2024-2025
ABOUT US
Family Life Academy Charter School (commonly called FLACS) is a nonprofit network of high-performing charter schools in the South Bronx. Family Life Academy Charter Schools, together with the Latino Pastoral Action Center and parents, create the conditions for self-empowerment for all its K-12 students to excel academically, take responsibility for their own learning, and affirm human values, today, in college, and beyond. We are guided by this mission and through it, we have revolutionized education for students from K-12.
Family Life Academy Charter Schools is currently seeking dynamic guidance staff who
- Value collaboration with like-minded individuals who believe that education is activism.
- Want to work in an environment where all students are scholars and academic excellence is the norm.
- Believe that young people can be leaders who can create positive change in their communities and that schools should be safe, warm and caring environments.
- Desire to work in a place where their skills will be nurtured through an embedded professional development program.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER JOB DESCRIPTION
Reporting to the Principal, the Social Worker provides direct crisis support to students and schools. The Social Worker will identify and have access to additional resources outside of the school to provide directly to students, families, and school staff. The Social Worker uses knowledge of the principles, practices and ethical standards of School Social Work and the relevant state and federal laws, rules and regulations to support students.
Key Responsibilities:
- Demonstrate understanding of diversity and sensitivity to differences in cultures and family structures.
- Work with students and families experiencing loss, trauma, poverty, and mental health needs.
- Provide group, individual, and family counseling as appropriate to students identified by the school.
- Provide timely services to students needing crisis intervention, conflict resolution and anger management.
- Help students develop appropriate inter- and intra-personal skills.
- Provide mandated services to students in special education.
- Create developmental histories, and participates in IEP meetings.
- Manage aspects of the referral process for social services, partnerships, and special education services
- Conduct home visits for newly enrolled and current students, as appropriate.
- Work with families to support their child by providing school and community resources as needed.
- Design and implement workshops to educate families, staff, and/or students on specific issues.
- Document session notes with students and interactions with families.
- Develop and maintain partnerships with external agencies.
- Build a resource bank for social and mental health agencies to share with families.
- Provide other staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting a student’s performance and behavior through in-service training.
- Assist teachers with developing positive behavioral intervention strategies when discipline issues arise.
- Advocate for new and improved community/school service to meet the needs of students and families.
- Establish a rapport and strong relationship with students, staff, and families.
- Conduct regular assessments of current and emerging student and family needs.
Professional Responsibilities:
- Upholds the FLACS mission, core beliefs, and educational philosophy.
- Reflects on their practice and is a lifelong learner who strives to improve effectiveness and guide professional growth.
- Engages and collaborates with colleagues and the community to develop and sustain a common culture that supports high expectations for student learning.
- Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player.
Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Social Work + Licensure-LMSW required
- Valid NYS School Social Worker Certification required
- Prior experience, especially in an urban school, is preferred
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus
- Proven track-record of high achievement
- Evidence of self-motivation and willingness to be a team player
- Belief in and alignment with FLACS core beliefs and educational philosophy
- Demonstrated ability and knowledge of crisis intervention, de-escalation strategies and restorative practices
- Experience working with or willingness to work with high-need and at-risk students and their families.
It is the policy of FLACS to provide educational and employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, alienage and citizenship status, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender (sex) or prior record of arrest or convictions (except as provided bylaw), and to maintain an environment free of discriminatory harassment, including sexual harassment, or retaliation, as required by civil rights law.