School-Based Social Worker [Candidate Pool Posting] (SY26-27)

Background and Overview

The Boston Public Schools is committed to providing every child in every classroom an equitable world-class high-quality education with the same unfettered access to every conceivable resource to unlock the greatness within them. As part of an equitable Multi-tiered System of Supports that advances students learning and outcomes, The Office of Social Work serves BPS students and families by supporting school-based Social Workers across the district with providing high-quality culturally responsive direct services.

The Office of Social Work supports social workers with consultation, professional development, and crisis response. Through a regional support model, all school-based social workers receive support from a District Social Worker in addition to the Program Director of Social Work. The Office of Social Work aims to provide high-quality culturally and linguistically relevant mental health support in all BPS schools.

Position Summary and General Responsibilities

Boston Public Schools seeks an exceptional School-Based Social Worker who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to support the implementation of a variety of behavioral health supports that include trauma response and recovery, healing and resiliency-focused school social work services that support students and educators to create conditions wherein students may achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.

The Social Worker in partnership with the other BPS providers and outside mental health partners will support school communities by supporting with individual and group counseling and assessments, crisis intervention and response, managing a caseload, coordinating referrals to external agencies and programs in partnership with students and families.

Through a lead role in the Student Success Team (SST) and other leadership bodies within the school and working in close collaboration with other school-based teams, Social Workers will Facilitate or collaborate as needed with School Leaders, colleagues, and other stakeholders in the collection and monitoring of data to identify trends with a close eye on conditions, policies, and practices that may be creating exacerbating issues that lead to the need for counseling and Tier 3 support.

Utilize district-wide SST guidance, implementation tools, and support to actively assess Student Success Team practices. Continuously work to develop their own racial, cultural awareness alongside their colleagues, CLSP Competency 1 and authentic relationships that allow for cultural learning and understanding with students and families, CLSP Competency 2, in order to do this work well.

The Social Worker will attend professional development and receive coaching and feedback from the team of District Social Workers, Program Director of Social Work, and Director of Student Support to ensure continuous improvement of service delivery and compliance with district protocols, policies, and professional standards of practice.

Reports to School Leader with secondary evaluation from the Program Director of Social Work.

Responsibilities

Student Success Team

• Coordinate and/or actively participate in the Student Success Team.
• Collaborate with School Leadership to establish sustainable structures and partnerships and ensure the voice of students and families are elevated in co-constructing solutions to issues.
• As a valued member of the Student Success team, the social worker will support the design of tiered interventions that support the implementation of an equitable Multi-Tiered System of Support.
• Support the collection of progress monitoring data within the Panorama platform in collaboration with other staff to ensure that intervention supports and services are leading to the desired outcomes for participating students.
• Model and promote authentic relationship-building and collaboration with students, families, school community, and partnering agencies.

Position Requirements

• Masters Degree in Social Work, Counseling, MA DESE School Social Worker, School Adjustment Counselor License (All Levels), Licensed Social Worker (LCSW or LICSW), or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or eligible for a Social Worker license (LCSW or LICSW) or Mental Health Counselor license (LMHC).
• Minimum of 3 years of effective professional experience in an urban setting similar to Boston Public Schools providing clinical services.
• Ability to meet the BPS Standards of Effective Practice as outlined above.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work with school students, parents, and community-based agencies.
• Demonstrates understanding of racial equity and ability to engage in dialogue about race, intersectionality, and systems of oppression.
• Demonstrates a deep sense of cultural humility and self-awareness.
• Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior work as a school-based social worker.
• Knowledge of Special Education policies and procedures.
• BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity.
• BPS is particularly interested in candidates who are fluent in one of BPS official languages (Spanish, Creole, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Somali).
• Certification as a trainer in Safety Cares de-escalation and restraint program.

Core Values

• Commitment to working with parents and students as partners in education.
• Belief that all students can learn and deserve opportunities to achieve the greatness within them.
• Respect for all children and their families through an asset-based lens.
• Identify as a lifelong learner and reflective practitioner.
• Willingness to serve as an advocate for all children.

Terms

• Please refer to www.bostonpublicschools.org/ohc under Employee Benefits and Policies for more information on salary and compensation. Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade Step.
• The start and end times of BPS schools vary as do the lengths of the school day. Some BPS schools have a longer school day through the Schedule A Expanded Learning Time (ELT) agreement.
• The Boston Public Schools in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record inquiries only, disability, homelessness, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics, or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.