School Social Worker

KIPP is a nonprofit network of college-preparatory, public charter schools with a 20-year track record of preparing students in educationally underserved communities for success in college and life. KIPP currently serves over 100,000 students in 242 schools across the country, including Indianapolis.  KIPP Indy Public Schools (KIPP Indy) was founded in 2004 with one class of fifth-grade students and has grown to educate more than 1,000 students across three schools. By the 2022-2023 school year, KIPP Indy will educate nearly 1,500 students in the Martindale-Brightwood community on the Northeast side of Indianapolis. At KIPP Indy, we believe that all children will learn and achieve at high levels if given the opportunity. Our goal is to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and character strengths they need to succeed throughout their education and in the competitive world beyond. 

POSITION OVERVIEW
At KIPP Indy Legacy High, we believe our students’ character and emotional growth is linked inextricably to their academic progress.  We are looking for a Social Worker to partner with families, students, and staff to create and implement plans that provide differentiated support for students KIPP Indy Legacy High.  The Social Worker will be a critical part of the KIPP Indy Legacy team working directly with our high school students to ensure they have the support necessary to succeed inside and outside of school.  An ideal candidate will be knowledgeable of and respectful for the culture of the community served, support and advocate for students and families from a trauma informed lens, and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders in supporting students and families in accessing resources.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage aspects of referral process for social services and community partners including:
  • Manage aspects of referral process for social services and community partners including:
  • Conducting regular assessments of student and family needs, using the data to create a vision for comprehensive student support in partnership with external stakeholder
  • Assist with student retention through strategic home-visits
  • Referring individuals and families to external resources and services and supporting families in accessing these resources
  • Home visits for newly enrolled and current students, as appropriate;
  • Workshops to educate families, staff, and/or students on specific issues
  • Administering records, documentation, and other compliance activities
• Provide direct services to the school community, including:
  • Providing regular one-on-one counseling or group counseling to students and families
  • Meeting regularly with students who have mandated counseling in their IEPs
  • Ensuring a safe, positive environment in group and one-on-one counseling sessions
  • Providing crisis intervention as needed
  • Managing, tracking, and documenting student interactions and counseling schedule
  • Setting goals with students and tracking progress towards those goals
  • Collaborating regularly with teachers and staff to meet student’s need
  • Identifying and supporting students and families who are identified as being displaced in setting up transportation to and from school and connecting with community resources
  • Communicating consistently with families and students who are identified as being displaced in order to keep up with their situation and connect them with any potential resources
• Additional Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Consulting with the school-based leadership team to develop comprehensive supports and interventions to students who are presenting challenging behavior
  • Communicating with students, families, and colleagues, and respond to family concerns promptly and effectively
  • Participating in team meetings, school-wide activities, professional development and other events
  • Providing recommendations to the staff and leadership team around approaches to working with struggling students
  • Displaying the highest ethical and professional behavior and confidentiality when working with students, parents and staff

COMPETENCIES

• Expresses belief in all students potential to complete college and succeed in life
• Articulates and teaches the organization’s vision, mission, values, and goals
• Demonstrates knowledge of the cultures of our community while creating an inclusive environment that values diversity and differences
• Focuses on results
• Holds themselves and others accountable to achieving planned milestones
• Takes responsibility for mistakes and learns from successes and failure
• Perseveres through significant challenges to reach goals
• Demonstrates flexibility when plans or situations change unexpectedly and adjust plans
• Manages time and resources effectively
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and colleagues

• Masters in Social Work required (LCSW preferred)
• At least 4 years experience in the field
• Spanish Speaking (preferred)
• Experience in working within a school environment or extensive work with children, teenagers, and young adults
• Experience in therapeutic modalities related to children and families in traditionally underserved communities, including assessment and treatment of trauma
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, extensive knowledge of child and adolescent development, and a documented track record of personal and professional success

The starting salary for this position is $62,000.

Salary is commensurate with experience and includes a highly competitive benefits package. Opportunities for performance-based bonuses are also available.
                              
KIPP Indy Legacy High is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.