Social Worker

Democracy Prep Public Schools strives to ensure all scholars succeed in the college of their choice and lead a life of active citizenship. Our Social Workers play a vital role in supporting the mental and emotional well-being of scholars, preparing them for success both in the classroom and beyond. This role collaborates with school leadership and the scholar support team, serving as a bridge between our schools, families, and community.

Who You Are:

• Mission-Driven Educator: You are committed to the Democracy Prep mission of fostering college success and authentic civic engagement for scholars.
• Self-Reflective Professional: You actively align your work with Democracy Prep's commitment to antiracism and contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.
• Collaborative Team Member: You work effectively with teachers and administrators to support a positive school community.
• Effective Communicator: You communicate clearly and persuasively, adapting your approach to various stakeholders.
• Certified School Social Worker: You hold a master's degree in social work (LMSW required) and have a passion for providing individualized support to youth.
• Supportive Professional: You are dedicated to ensuring scholars receive the emotional support needed to thrive academically and socially.

What You’ll Do:

• Counseling and Direct Student Support: Provide individual and group counseling, focusing on scholars' social, emotional, and behavioral needs, utilizing therapeutic approaches such as:
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
• Support Emotional Well-Being: Assist scholars in overcoming personal challenges and provide coping strategies for trauma, stress, and grief through evidence-based practices.
• Referrals and Resources: Connect scholars and families to external resources and services to address emotional, physical, or economic challenges, ensuring timely follow-ups.
• Mandatory Reporting: Act as a mandatory reporter for abuse or neglect cases, ensuring appropriate action is taken.
• Capacity-Building for Teachers and Staff: Provide professional development to staff on social-emotional learning (SEL), restorative practices, and DBT-informed strategies to support scholar regulation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support Student Success: Provide interventions that directly address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional challenges affecting scholars' well-being.
• Develop and Lead Professional Development: Train staff on SEL integration, restorative practices, and trauma-informed strategies.
• Track and Report Student Progress: Monitor scholar development through qualitative and quantitative measures, such as improved SEL competencies, reduced absenteeism, and increased engagement.
• Collaborate with Families: Develop resources and workshops that engage families in supporting their children's mental health and emotional development.

Qualifications: 

• A Masters Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program
• LMSW certification (required)
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document counseling sessions and produce professional reports and presentations.
• Experience in coordinating professional development for staff and leading training sessions related to SEL, restorative practices, and mental health support.
• Understanding of confidentiality standards and the ability to maintain accurate and secure documentation in compliance with legal and organizational guidelines. 

Compensation

Salary range is $66,000 - $129,217 and commensurate with your experience. Democracy Prep employees are provided with a benefits package that includes medical, vision, and dental insurance, parental leave, a smartphone, and a laptop. 

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Democracy Prep is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Our mission is to educate responsible citizen-scholars who will change the world. We strongly believe that by building a DREAM team that represents numerous perspectives, backgrounds, and expertises, we can achieve this goal together. This is a value we highly support and strongly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply.