Position: Middle School Social Worker

Start Date: July 31^st, 2018

Our Model and Values:

At Compass Academy (CA), we believe that all students can succeed and become lifelong Learners and Leaders.  Launched in August of 2015, Compass will be adding one grade level per year to ultimately serve 750 students in Grades 6-12. Our teachers and students will benefit from ongoing support from City Year and the Center for Social Organization of Schools at Johns Hopkins University, including a team of City Year AmeriCorps Members who serve as tutors and mentors. Most importantly, we have a team of talented and energetic educators and leaders who live out our values every day and who are excited to build an extraordinary school.  Our model brings together an innovative use of extended time and human capital, an environment rich in technology and driven by data, and proven best practices for personalized learning and student growth.

Position Overview:

The School Social Worker provides social services and assistance to improve the social and emotional functioning of students and their families in order to maximize academic functioning and achievement. Participates in crisis management by implementing protocols, providing counseling and/or making referrals. Counsels students, parents (in groups and individually) and consults with staff in the development of appropriate behavior goals. Responds to referrals and or reported cases from teachers, administrators, other school personnel, parents, students, self, and community agencies such as the Department of Human Services. Serves as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.

Student Evaluation and Services:

• Develops and executes needs assessments in the first month of school year
• Lead on functional behavior assessments and intervention plans to support student needs.
• Provide services to students in a variety of settings-one on one counseling sessions, small groups, and implementing curriculums to address student needs and reduce barriers to learning.
• Collaborate with school and network team members to determine the services needed for each student, based on their IEP goals and requirements, their personal goals, and other school-based goals for their learning and development.
• Implements and models Trauma Informed Care practices for the community
• Use knowledge and understanding of how the home, school, and community influence one another to intervene for student’s success through such practices as assessment, crisis intervention, trauma informed care, home visits, conflict resolution, individual and group counseling, consultation, program development, dropout prevention, college counseling and graduation awareness
• Promote family support of student learning experience within the context of multicultural understanding and competencies and families to gain access to formal and informal community resources
• Develop and provides training programs that address school goals and mission.
• Engage in individual and school safety implementation, including prevention, assessment/intervention for students at-risk of harm to self or others, child abuse reporting and crisis response
• Evaluate own practice to maximize the effectiveness of services and resources provided to the students, families, and school
• Maintain up-to-date documentation and records
• Organize time and workload in order to meet responsibilities

Team Participation:

• Compass Academy School Social Workers are critical play a critical role on the Well-Being team
• Work in collaboration with Special Education Team to make team recommendations, complete reevaluations, and conduct long-term planning and vision work for the improvement of services.
• Bring expertise with Behavior Intervention Plans student observation with data collection, and accommodation and intervention.
• Consult with community members, families, and CA school staff to facilitate an understanding of factors in the home and community that impact students’ educational experiences
• Consult on issues as attendance, diversity, mental health, behavior management, delinquency, crisis intervention, homelessness, child abuse, neglect, and the importance of confidentiality
• Initiate and support activities to overcome institutional barriers and gaps in services as a participant of interdisciplinary teams in accordance with the school mission and with the unique contribution of bringing the KIPP staff, home, KIPP school and community perspective to the KIPP interdisciplinary process
• Work with internal and external individuals, groups, and organizations to develop programs or systems of care that support and enhance the health, social and emotional well-being, and safety of all KIPPsters and staff
• Orient community providers to KIPP school climate, and the community
• Actively participate on the EWI team
• Track student attendance rates
• Collaborate with leadership to take preventative and responsive action toward maintaining a 95% average daily attendance rate

Professional Development:

• Engage in the staff learning and growth cycle of feedback at Compass Academy, including peer surveys, supervisor surveys, family surveys, and ongoing coaching and development cycles.
• Engage in regular professional development as part of a mental health team to improve services.
• Participate in school-based professional development.
• Participate in Denver Public Schools trainings as needed.

School Life:

• Model, live, and reinforce the school’s core values and policies inside and outside the classroom with colleagues, students, parents, and the larger community.
• Participate in planning and proctoring extra teacher “duties” throughout the week, as needed

Education & Experience Required:

• Previous school social work experience is preferred
• Depending on specific assignment, experience working with families, including the administration of developmental and family assessments
• Cultural and linguistic awareness and sensitivity of diverse populations is essential
• High skill level in social work techniques and strategies.

Credential Requirements:

• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) preferred.
• Colorado Department of Education Professional, Provisional or Type VI Temporary Special Service Provider License- Professional, Provisional or Type VI Temporary - Social Worker
• Valid Colorado Driver’s License, meets District insurability requirements
• Colorado license in Social Work (MSW).

What We Offer:

• Competitive compensation package and generous & innovative benefits
• Excellent professional development and coaching
• Dedicated time for both independent and collaborative planning

Compass Academy is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. This position will begin July 31st, 2018.

To Apply please visit our hiring website