Position: 24-25 Elementary Social Worker [LSW REQUIRED]

We are seeking talented, committed, culturally competent Elementary (K-4) Social Workers for the 24-25 school year .

About KIPP

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools committed to partnering with students and families to disrupt systemic educational inequity and create a future without limits. Over 120,000 students attend one of the 280 KIPP schools that operate in 27 regions across the United States. KIPP Philadelphia Schools Public Schools (KPPS) is a part of the national KIPP Public Schools network and currently leads seven schools serving approximately 2,800 students in North and West Philadelphia. By 2030, KPPS will lead ten schools serving approximately 4,000 students.

Our Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Life at KIPP Philly

We know that talented, committed, culturally competent teachers and leaders have the power to amplify our children’s potential by creating a school experience that affirms, values, and challenges them each day. We seek to create a professional environment full of joy, candor, care and community where excellent educators can make a long-term home alongside peers who are equally committed to the work. Educators at KIPP –

• Are committed to anti-racism, equity and inclusion
• Are part of a close-knit, diverse community of educators working together in service of children
• Show up as themselves, inspiring our children to do the same
• Believe school should be a joyful, affirming space for both children and adults
• Believe that strong relationships and precise preparation are critical to increasing learning outcomes
• Want to evolve their craft via 1:1 coaching and high quality professional development
• Have access to leadership pathway programming and opportunities to grow their career
• Enjoy a competitive, comprehensive health benefits package, a 403B retirement matching program, tuition reimbursement to pursue certification, and free access to financial advising services

Job Description

KIPP Philadelphia seeks a highly dedicated Social Worker who will bring a “whatever it takes” attitude to its team. Our Social Worker will work directly with students and families to provide effective, high quality interventions. Our Social Worker will also work directly with teachers to cultivate their knowledge of students’ social and emotional development. Ideally, our Social Worker has the ability to supervise social work interns and manage this small team to provide a higher level of support for students. Our Social Worker provides the following core services: prevention, intervention, assessment, and collaboration. 

Prevention

• Provide group or 1:1 counseling services to students with and without IEPs
• Participate in weekly intervention meetings to thought partner with teachers around social and emotional interventions
• Build relationships and collaborate with external education and social services professionals to develop appropriate agency services for students and families
• Facilitate workshops and other learning opportunities for families
• Conduct home visits that support families to meet KIPP expectations and increases student/family involvement.
• Participate on school staff teams to develop policies and practices to proactively build school culture including opportunities for team-building and collaboration among students
• Help drive a school-wide atmosphere that best suits the needs of our students, teachers, and families
• Facilitate professional development for teachers to help them understand child development and how it affects student performance academically and social/emotionally
• Lead the school’s SAP program

Intervention

• Drive social and emotional intervention plans for our most high need students
• Run individual and group counseling sessions with research based social and emotional practices
• Assist students, teachers, and families to develop solutions to family and community factors that influence students’ capacity or ability to learn
• Serve as the building lead for crisis intervention, managing crisis protocols from referral through to transition back to school
• Drive interagency collaboration and wrap-around services for students
• Attend IEP and inter-departmental meetings for students receiving Social Work services

Assessment

• Complete high quality progress notes for all students receiving social work services weekly and maintain up-to-date records for all services rendered
• Conduct interviews with a student, family members, and KIPP staff members to gather information about each student’s social, emotional, and behavioral needs; help all constituents integrate information to best meet the student’s needs
• Conduct observations to gather data in order to determine best options for interventions

Collaboration

• Supervise and mentor social work interns
• Create professional learning goals each year and implement feedback as part of working towards these goals
• Offer support to and receive constructive feedback from colleagues in order to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to growth and improvement
• As much as possible, be available for Open Houses, Family-Teacher Conferences, and other events involving families outside of normal operating hours

Qualifications & Credentials

• Love and see the high potential of all children
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with students and families and to create a warm, inclusive environment
• Passion for supporting underserved students, the social work craft, and professional learning
• Demonstrated ability to contribute positively to a school team, uphold our core values (Children First, Cultural Competence, Community, and Ownership) and our commitment to anti-racism and inclusion
• Master’s in Social Work or Counseling from an accredited institution REQUIRED
• Pennsylvania Licensure (LSW minimum) REQUIRED
• Experience working in urban schools strongly preferred
• Pennsylvania Clinical Licensure (LCSW) preferred
• Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks:
• PA State Police Clearance
• PA Child Abuse Clearance
• Cogent Federal Fingerprinting

Compensation

• Salaries at KPPS are competitive and equitable. The salary range for Social Workers at KPPS starts at $52,000 and is commensurate with experience.
• All KPPS staff members have access to a comprehensive benefits package, a 403B matching program, and free financial advising services

Note To Applicants

KIPP Philadelphia Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are selected on the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.