Social Worker

Social Worker SouthSide Elementary Charter School Position Overview SouthSide Elementary Charter School is seeking a compassionate, highly skilled School Social Worker to support the social, emotional, and behavioral well-being of our students and families. The Social Worker plays a central role in prevention, intervention, crisis response, and community partnership coordination within our MTSS framework. The ideal candidate brings school-based experience, strong collaboration skills, and a commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment aligned to our SHARK values. This position requires RIDE School Social Worker certification or eligibility, along with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field. Key Responsibilities Direct Student & Family Support Provide individual and group counseling to students in alignment with IEPs, MTSS interventions, and school priorities. Support students’ social-emotional development and overall well-being. Implement the Second Step curriculum to promote emotional regulation, SEL skill-building, and conflict resolution. Deliver crisis intervention services as needed, including de-escalation and safety planning. Maintain accurate documentation of student interactions, counseling schedules, mandated service logs, and progress toward socio-emotional goals. Conduct assessments of student and family needs to guide intervention planning. Collaboration & Schoolwide Support Partner with teachers, Learning Partners, and administrators to address student needs and support a positive, safe, and productive learning environment. Consult and collaborate with the RTI/MTSS Team to design and monitor behavioral supports and interventions. Provide staff with recommendations, strategies, and coaching for supporting students with behavioral or emotional challenges. Participate in team meetings, crisis response meetings, IEP meetings, and student support meetings as needed. Collaborate with the attendance team to address chronic absenteeism and implement supportive interventions. Participate actively in schoolwide events, family engagement opportunities, and professional development sessions. Community Partnerships & Compliance Manage referrals for social services, special education, and external supports. Establish and maintain partnerships with community agencies, mental health providers, and social service organizations. Connect families to community resources including housing support, food assistance, medical/mental health services, and other wraparound supports. Monitor and facilitate the delivery of external services to ensure continuity and effectiveness. Refer suspected cases of abuse or neglect to DCYF in accordance with state law and school protocols. Ensure all documentation meets RIDE certification and IDEA/IEP compliance requirements. Family Engagement & Outreach Communicate proactively and professionally with families, responding promptly to concerns and inquiries. Lead or co-facilitate parent workshops based on identified family and community needs. Participate in Kindergarten screening and accompany the Director/Principal on home visits for incoming students. Build strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and staff grounded in professionalism, empathy, and cultural responsiveness. Professional Expectations Uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with school policy, state law, and NASW ethical guidelines. Model and promote SouthSide’s SHARK values (Safe, Helpful, Appreciative, Respectful, Kind) in all interactions. Qualifications RIDE School Social Worker Certification or eligibility for certification (required). Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) preferred; Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) considered with strong school-based experience. Demonstrated experience working in a school setting or with school-aged children. Knowledge of MTSS/RTI, SEL frameworks, trauma-informed practices, and restorative approaches. Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams. Experience supporting diverse communities, multilingual learners, and families from varied backgrounds.