Social Worker

Social Worker

The Transition Academy (TTA) is a nonprofit organization founded in August 2019 to improve postsecondary outcomes for high school special education students in Kansas City Public Schools and charter schools. Our mission is to make economic inclusion a reality for youth with disabilities, especially for young people of color who have historically been failed by systems.

We are building a social services team to provide trauma-informed mental health and social emotional support to help youth achieve postsecondary success. The Social Worker will promote the overall mission of postsecondary success and financial prosperity by providing evidence-based, developmentally appropriate school-based mental health services including crisis counseling, case management, coordinated referrals to community services, and follow-up for participating teens.

The Social Worker will also partner with community mental health agencies to provide critical support and treatment services for this vulnerable population through site-based programming at participating KCPS and local charter high schools. This position includes the supervision of the newly formed social services team.

• Conduct youth assessments and evaluations with program participants/legal guardians during intake.
• Use student, school, and family assessment results to identify needs that impact career and transition planning utilizing social-emotional learning.
• Provide short-term individual and group interventions (e.g., social skills, anger management, stress reduction) to address social/emotional/behavioral challenges.
• Develop short- and long-term intervention plans using a variety of tools and techniques.
• Create processes with the social services team for coordinated referral, services, and follow-up for youth and their families.
• Build partnerships with district departments, principals, school teams, and community stakeholders.
• Develop a comprehensive plan of community-based mental health services, including crisis counseling referrals, with social services team
• Provide direct treatment services in schools in collaboration with mental health professionals, behavioral health aides, peers, and other related providers.
• Participate and conduct team meetings, case conferences, and training sessions. 
• Maintain accurate case records and documentation.
• Complete additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, psychology, sociology, human services, or a related field.
• Prior supervisory or people development experience preferred.
• At least three (3) years of direct work experience with socio-economically challenged youth in culturally and ethnically diverse urban settings.
• Knowledgeable in family dynamics and issues related to adjustment to disability.
• Three (3) years of case management experience.
• Three (3) years of individual and small group intervention.
• Knowledge of current research and best practices in SEL and school climate.
• Previous experience working with school systems and local, state, or federal agencies.
• Strong planning, organization, and collaborative skills.
• Willingness to provide direct practice to clients while also helping design systems, policies, and procedures, to include occasional home visits.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.

This position is part-time or full-time in-person, depending on the candidate’s availability and organizational needs. 

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and agreed-upon schedule. For candidates working full-time, the expected salary range is $60,000–$65,000 annually; part-time compensation will be adjusted accordingly.

Join Our Team!

Please apply by submitting a cover letter and resume to careers@thetransitionacademy.org. For questions, contact info@thetransitionacademy.org.