Overview
The school social worker provides services to support scholars, families and staff, including counseling, diagnostic assessment, referrals, and reporting. This work takes place at the school site, and is fully aligned with Ascend’s mission, vision, core values and educational program. Social workers at Ascend join a talented team of educators who are deeply committed to changing the lives of their students. In addition to weekly professional development meetings, school staff participates in weekly coaching sessions that target individualized growth goals.
At Ascend, we’re excited about professionals who are fired up about our liberal arts program, positive approach to discipline, and commitment to serve all students. Join us as we foster innate curiosities, encourage discussion and debate, and guide students to think their own way through to answers.
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About Ascend
Ascend is the largest Brooklyn-based public charter school serving nearly 6,000 K-12 students in 16 schools. We exist to serve every student – to help them embody their inherent excellence by providing rich, joyful learning experiences that unlock a life of boundless choice.
Access to education is a social justice issue. As educators, we center justice and live out our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism (DEIA) by ensuring that our students have the skills, tools, and confidence they need to thrive today and in the future. We are proud to have a workforce that mirrors the diversity seen in our students.
Ascend schools honor, nurture, and challenge the whole child. Ascend fosters critical thinking skills and a love of learning through an inquiry-based learning approach, Responsive Classroom model, and anti-racist education. Students at Ascend benefit from a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures natural curiosity about the world and guides them to think critically and independently.
Working at Ascend provides a warm culture and community focused on developing an environment of support and belonging. Educators collaborate closely and encourage each other to achieve great outcomes. Ascend heavily invests in employees by providing ongoing professional training and support. We also offer a competitive salary and benefits package to ensure your needs are met while positively impacting students, families, and the Brooklyn community.
For more information on Ascend Public Charter Schools’ model, approach, and core values, please visit our website.
Responsibilities
The school social worker collaborates with teaching staff to determine the best setting to meet scholars’ needs (i.e., individual counseling, social skill development groups, mentoring classes), and meet with faculty and staff on an ongoing basis to help measure progress and discuss strategies for scholars requiring support services. Additionally, the social worker will:
- Complete diagnostic assessments to identify scholars’ needs and making referrals as appropriate
- Consult with appropriate professional staff, external agencies and other organizations as appropriate based on scholars’ needs
- Serve as a member of school-based teams to support scholars and provide confidential guidance to faculty and staff
- Counsel students individually and in groups
- Contribute as needed in the development and/or implementation of the school’s social and emotional development and growth curriculum
- Maintain, in a secure location, up-to-date confidential files on every scholar who receives counseling
- Interview and communicate with families as appropriate
- Complete confidential written reports of all cases and meetings
- Make oral presentations of assessments, diagnostics, and observations, in accordance with all confidentiality laws and regulations
- Complete reports as may be required by federal, state, or local agencies, laws, and regulations
- Maintain client confidentiality
Staff and reporting relationships
The school social worker reports to the principal. He or she also works closely with student services coordinator.
Qualifications
- NYS School Social Worker Certification or School Counseling Certification required; LMSW or LCSW strongly preferred
- Experience working in urban schools is preferred
- Passion and commitment to urban education and our ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap
- Commitment to creating a structured, predictable and joyful environment for children
- A “can do” attitude and the enthusiasm to be a hard-working, team player who is relentless in the pursuit of the school’s academic objectives
- An openness to accept and implement feedback and engage in a process of self-improvement
- A strong belief in the Ascend mission
Compensation
Initial salary offers for this position range from $66,000 - $115,000. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education.
Diversity at Ascend
Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide di
versity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.
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