(SLIFE) Social Worker (SY26-27)

Boston Public Schools•Boston, MA

About The Position

Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Social Worker Office of Social Work(OSW) & Office of Multilingual and Multicultural Education(OMME) To be considered for this position, candidates must apply to the Social Worker [Candidate Pool Posting] (SY26-27) and be screened through the Central Office screening process. Application Process: Applicants will follow the Pool process, and be prescreened by a panel of representatives from both Office of Social Work and OMME. The candidate pool will then be shared with school leaders for hiring teams to interview. Reports to : School Leader Secondary evaluator: Program Director of Social Work or Director of Student Support; With support by OMME. Background and Overview: Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) are newcomer English learners , ages 9 or older, have ELD levels 1 or 2, who have experienced interrupted education or have limited formal education prior to enrolling in the district. Students in SLIFE programs often come from a home in which a language other than English is spoken, have gaps in their education from their home country, and are at least two grade levels behind in reading and mathematics. They may have attended school in the U.S. but can have gaps in language and literacy due to ineffective or missing instruction. OMME and the OSW have partnered together to address an ongoing gap within the SLIFE programs in the Boston Public Schools. Together we are working towards being a culturally and linguistically sustaining district and addressing the Achievement Gap through the Superintendent’s strategic plan. Social workers are uniquely qualified to contribute to their school communities because they are trained within a strengths-based and social justice model which enables them to build on students’ community cultural wealth. This also means social workers are able to support in addressing structural barriers to student success. The SLIFE Social Workers’ caseload ratio will be much smaller than district ratios in order to allow for the utmost targeted support. 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. Position Summary and General Responsibilities: Boston Public Schools seeks an exceptional SLIFE SOCIAL WORKER who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to support the implementation of a variety of supports that include mental health counseling, trauma response, 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. This position requires a bilingual/ bicultural social worker who can support students/ families in their native language as identified by the program. In collaboration with the school and educators the social worker will work to support positive culture and climate within the SLIFE program and ensure the SLIFE students are able to fully participate and engage in school activities.

Requirements

Education: Master of Social Work (MSW) or Master of Mental Health Counseling
MA DESE School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor License (All Levels)
Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) or Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) at the time of hire or if hired with a Master’s of Social Worker (MSW) must obtain a LCSW by the last day of school in the year of hire.
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.

Nice To Haves

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)
Four (4) years experience or more in Boston Public Schools or similar setting
Certification in Safety Care De-escalation
Certification in Psychological First Aid
Experience working with special education system

Responsibilities

In collaboration with a cohort of SLIFE Social workers and with support from the Program Director of Social Work design and implement a Newcomer Orientation Program which will orient students to their new school and all available school and community resources.
Collaborate with SLIFE program educators and administrators to proactively design and implement a comprehensive support plan for each student within the program.
Provide or coordinate mental health services for students on assigned caseload, this may include 1:1 individual and group counseling services.
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 to ensure that instruction, supports and services are leading to the desired outcome(s) for participating students.
Support individual and whole school crisis intervention in collaboration with the BPS district wide Crisis Team as needed. This includes supporting Suicide Risk Assessments and Threat Assessments (with the school crisis team).
Provide direct consultation to teachers, school administrators, and community partners to support student success. This includes the coordination of both school-based and outside-provider services.
As needed, serve as the liaison between student, home, school, and community resources in collaboration with the school’s family liaison.
Match students with appropriate services that align with the students/families expressed need and aspirations, which may include referrals to external agencies; monitor their progress and coordinate follow-up services for each student, serving as a case manager
As needed/ if applicable, serve as a member of the IEP/504 Team for assigned students
Attend monthly professional development provided by the Office of Social Work
Maintain and provide student data and written reports as needed, including timely completion of monthly reports for the Office of Social Work
Performs other related duties as assigned by the School Leader and Director of Student Support