Licensed School Social Worker/Counselor - LCSW or LPC

KIPP • New Orleans, LA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The School Social Worker ensures every KIPP student has equitable access to learning by addressing barriers to attendance, behavior, mental health, and basic needs through a tiered continuum of universal, targeted, and intensive services. The role combines direct clinical support and case management with systems-building, including progress monitoring, legally compliant documentation, and cross-team problem solving with Student Support, Culture, Operations, and Academics. The Social Worker partners with families and community agencies, responds to crises, and advances a positive, identity-affirming school culture.

This is a full-time, 100% on-site position. Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with the supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Duties may require travel to other school facilities using the employee's personal transportation. The position requires an employee to be physically present and engaged at assigned work locations and to participate in student supervision, school emergencies, and required safety and crisis-response training. The start date is listed as an immediate opening.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.
• State licensure, such as LCSW/LPC or state-approved equivalent; eligible for supervision if not independently licensed.
• School-based or youth mental health experience delivering Tier 2/3 interventions, crisis response, and case management.
• Working knowledge of MTSS, trauma-informed practices, restorative approaches, child welfare, and mandated reporting.
• Familiarity with special education and Section 504 processes and documentation.
• Data fluency, including use of screeners, progress-monitoring tools, and SIS/SEIS platforms, and strong written documentation skills.
• Personal affinity for KIPP New Orleans Schools’ mission and vision and demonstrated commitment to its five core beliefs: Relentlessness, Elevation, Achievement, Community, and Hope.
• Successful completion of a professional reference check, including the most recent supervisor, and a state/federal background check.
• Currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
• Ability to perform the essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation, including communicating effectively in noisy and moderate environments; observing details at close range; reading, analyzing, and interpreting information; maintaining visual attention and mental concentration; sitting and working at a desk/computer for extended periods; occasionally lifting or moving up to 30 pounds; and moving throughout the school campus, including standing, walking, and responding quickly when needed.
• Ability to travel to other school facilities using personal transportation if required.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based social-emotional and mental health supports across MTSS Tiers 1–3, including classroom lessons, small groups, and short-term individual counseling or skill-building.
• Use validated screeners and referral pathways to determine student needs, provide or coordinate services, and track fidelity and impact.
• Maintain accurate, timely records, including consents, progress notes, and service logs, in accordance with FERPA/HIPAA and district and state rules.
• Participate in IEP/504 processes as assigned, including present levels, goals, and accommodations, and coordinate outside evaluations or services when indicated.
• Serve as a McKinney-Vento and/or Foster Care point of contact as assigned; verify eligibility, remove barriers, and coordinate supports such as transportation, supplies, and housing referrals.
• Lead or participate in crisis prevention and response, including risk screenings, safety plans, and re-entry meetings; train staff on referral, de-escalation, and mandated-reporting protocols.
• Coordinate with school nurses, security, and community responders, and document incidents and follow-up steps.
• Partner with the Attendance Team to analyze data, conduct outreach, and implement interventions to reduce chronic absenteeism.
• Collaborate with Deans and Administrators on behavior plans, restorative conferences, and reintegration supports.
• Build resource networks for food, housing, medical and behavioral health, and transportation; connect families to resources and track outcomes.
• Facilitate accessible, multilingual communication and workshops that build family capacity, including SEL strategies and navigating services.
• Manage referrals and MOUs with community providers and monitor quality, confidentiality, and follow-through.
• Establish dashboards or summaries for caseload, goals, service dosage, and outcomes, and present trends in Student Support meetings.
• Contribute to campus culture and Tier 1 SEL, including advisory, classroom routines, and staff professional development, as well as schoolwide attendance, crisis, testing, and re-entry plans.
• Maintain active supervision of students in assigned classrooms, hallways, common areas, and other school settings.
• Respond appropriately to school emergencies and participate in emergency procedures, including evacuations, lockdowns, shelter-in-place, and reunification.
• Implement established behavioral expectations and appropriate de-escalation strategies, maintain situational awareness, and communicate promptly with school leadership and emergency personnel during safety incidents.
• Participate in required safety, emergency-preparedness, and crisis-response training.
• Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional, and courteous attitude; model positive customer service; contribute effectively as a team member; and be prompt and available for flexible scheduling.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 100% employer match on employee contributions up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses; immediately vested.
• Health and wellbeing benefits beginning the first day of the month following the date of hire.
• Customizable health coverage, including disability and life insurance, hospital indemnity, health and dependent-care FSAs, and free employee dental and vision coverage.
• Approximately 30 paid holidays and additional paid time off.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level