School Social Worker (2026-2027 School Year)

Description

Job Title: School Social Worker

Full-Time, 10 Month Position, Role Level 3

Reports To: Director of Student Success

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Who We Are:

YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School is a tuition-free, public charter high school, with a singular focus on supporting youth aged 17-20 who have been pushed out of traditional schools. During our 1-year alternative program, Youthbuild facilitates a warm, loving culture that uses a variety of structures to build community, such as a restorative-justice approach to discipline, weekly community meetings, and school-wide service projects. Students are empowered to attain their high school diploma and vocational certifications, while receiving unconditional support by the staff around them. At YouthBuild, we work intentionally to disrupt the cycle of poverty and support our students to achieve post-secondary success (4-year college, 2-year college, vocational training program, or liveable wage job). Visit https://www.youthbuildphilly.org/ to learn more.

The Opportunity:

As the school social worker, you have unique training to help our young people with social-emotional challenges that impact youth development and post-secondary success. You will utilize your leadership, advocacy, and collaborative skills to provide preventative services and respond to student’s social and emotional needs so barriers to student success can be removed while providing the academic and career development of students within the educational setting. You will do this through participation in the school counseling program, delivering small-group counseling, and providing appraisal and advice directed at improving a student's social-emotional well-being. You will promote a positive, culturally responsive, restorative justice environment that enhances students’ ability to properly manage the social-emotional demands of their lives.

Who You Are:

You are/have…

• Invested in our core values - Respect, Excellence and Perseverance.
• Equity-focused and believe that all students can achieve. 
• Passionate about community service and civic engagement.
• Excited to mentor students and support them throughout their time at YouthBuild and beyond.
• Collaborative and dedicated to personal and professional development.
• Master of Social Work degree from an accredited college or university and a LSW or LCSW.
• PA Department of Education’s School Social Worker certificate (CSPG 20), strongly preferred.
• Three to five years’ experience in school social work (preferred) and/or case-management, utilizing appropriate principles and techniques.
• Extensive knowledge of local services, supports and community resources available to Philadelphia Youth.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, highly flexible work—often highly intense—work environment.
• Strong commitment to helping young adults succeed in reorienting their lives, nurturing their leadership skills, and enabling them to make a difference in their community.

Requirements

What you’ll Do:

You will…

• Conduct individual and group counseling sessions to address students’ social, emotional and behavioral concerns and provide group guidance and social skills activities for students related to topics such as self-awareness, bullying prevention, reproductive health, and social awareness for a caseload of students
• Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents required in supporting students’ social, emotions and behavioral needs.
• Be the lead counselor and facilitator for students with substance abuse, ensuring students are referred to agencies to support their needs.
• Provide crisis counseling to students experiencing mental health and/or social service emergencies  
• Provide crisis intervention and advise on behavior management strategies to expedite students’ return to classrooms for learning and to build students’ the school’s expectations and as a referral source for students when social-emotional challenges are escalated 
• Collaborate with teachers, parents and other professionals to develop comprehensive support plans for students, including participation in IEP meetings to facilitate communication regarding student needs, where appropriate
• Collaborate with other school staff members to develop and implement strategies for addressing school-wide social-emotional issues.
• Facilitate the SAP meeting ensuring agendas, minutes and next steps are updated, communicated and complete.
• Assist students in setting and achieving academic goals, exploring career interests, and selecting an appropriate pathway during YouthBuild’s program and post-secondary planning. 
• Facilitate learners’ ability to achieve their potential by helping them set and attain challenging social-emotional goals.
• Deliver behavior management and de-escalation techniques to create a safe school environment for all students 
• Participate as a member of the IEP team and support with the coordination and implementation of special education services.
• Refer students and families to appropriate community agencies 
• Facilitate child abuse reporting, including supporting mandated reports when needed, and to communicate with Pennsylvania's Department of Human Services 
• Provide students and families access to community resources.
• Facilitate student support system information and support groups as needed. 
• Conduct home and community visits as needed to assess and support student and family needs
• Perform other duties, as assigned by the Director of Student Success.

What We Offer You:

• Generous time off
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts
• 401(k) savings plan with an employer match
• Employer paid parental leave, life insurance, short-term disability and long-term disability 
• Educational assistance and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and career growth
• Supportive and collaborative work environment
• Strong community support and involvement

Salary Range:

New YouthBuild Coordinator level staff can expect a starting salary of between $60,000 - $72,000 based on years of experience, education, and certifications, if applicable.

During the application process, applicants will have the opportunity to discuss our employee total rewards package and additional benefits.

Salary : $60,000 - $72,000