ROLE OVERVIEW
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is seeking a Special Programs School Social Worker for the 2024-25 school year.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Special Programs Social Worker will report to the Network Social Worker or Director of Student Support Services.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Key responsibilities include:
- Lead the Emotional Regulation Impairment and Autism Programs’ efforts in ensuring that students are emotionally supported through solution-focused modalities
- Provide individual and group counseling to address academic, personal, and/or interpersonal challenges, as per the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and/or as needed for students in special programs.
- Case manage all students in the ERI and Autism programs.
- Work collaboratively with School Leadership Team, Special Education Team, Teachers, Staff to help develop solutions to student, group, and program issues
- Prepare social histories, Functional Behavior Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans for students as part of IEP evaluation process
- Coordinate services with external providers and link families to appropriate community resources as needed
- Provide crisis intervention, referrals and case management services to student and families
- Conduct home and community visits as needed to assess student and family needs
- Complete documentation, progress notes and reports as required by state, local and federal mandates and ethical responsibilities
- Ability to plan, organize, and implement meetings/workshops involving a variety of topics and personnel
- In conjunction with School Psychologist, serve as liaison on child welfare issues and share expertise with school team
- Attend regular staff meetings and professional development workshops
- Provide workshops to school staff and parents on variety of areas relating to child social/emotional development
- Participates in departmental and network wide events
- Is highly visible and present during school/after-school hours
- Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS
The School Social Worker must:
- Have a “can do” mindset to positively impact the further the success of GOLCS students to and through college
- Be flexible and ready to roll up their sleeves to complete the hard work at hand
- Believe every student has the ability to succeed.
- Be relentlessly committed to the mission of preparing every student for college
- Possess strong entrepreneurial, leadership, and team-player skills
- Demonstrate ability to analyze student growth and performance data and identify appropriate solutions.
- Demonstrate ability to respond well to and implement feedback immediately
- Have completed or be willing to complete CPI or Handle with Care Training
Candidates must possess:
- Belief that all students have what it takes to be successful.
- Relentless work ethic, passion, and commitment to urban education.
- LMSW or LCSW licensing with a minimum of one year of relevant experience in a school environment with students with autism and behavioral challenges
- NJ School Social Work Certificate required.
- Knowledge of NJ Special Education Law and Case Management Duties (Experience with EdPlan preferred)
- Training in Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Intervention Plans required.
- Basic sign language a plus.
- Passionate and mission driven. Having a “Whatever It Takes” attitude is a must
- Documented track record of personal and professional success
- Extensive knowledge of child development and interventions
- Experience with Play Therapy, Social Stories, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and/or Zones of Regulation Curriculum preferred
- Experience in therapeutic modalities related to children and families in traditionally underserved communities, including assessment and treatment of trauma
- Must have strong organizational and communication skills, verbal and written
- Ability to work with parents, students, faculty, support staff, external government representatives, as well as school community groups
Compensation & Benefits
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School offers competitive salaries commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Robust medical, dental, and vision insurance plans w/ comprehensive network coverage.
- Up to $5,250 per year in tax exempt student loan and tuition reimbursement.
- Reimbursements for external professional development aligned to your role.
- Wellness reimbursements including gym memberships, spa services, and more.
- Online counseling services - for staff and their dependents - via top-rated therapy app.
- Pre-tax state pension plan benefit with additional options available via voluntary retirement plans.
- Pre-tax dependent care, health, and transit flexible spending plans available.
- Convenient health screening and telemedicine support via VitalCheck Wellness platform.
ABOUT GREAT OAKS LEGACY CHARTER SCHOOL
The Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is a high-performing, innovative charter public school in Newark NJ, serving students from Pre-K to 12th grade on campuses across the city of Newark. Our mission is to prepare Newark’s students for success in college and beyond.
Our model is based on the following guiding principles that guide our work daily –
- Creating a community that is built upon genuine and meaningful relationships. GOLCS staff rate our commitment to students as the #1 reason they teach/work at our schools.
- Being surgical in our approach to differentiation of instruction and support for all students and team members. Our students receive daily tutoring embedded into their school schedule - facilitated by our AmeriCorps team members. Staff members receive individualized coaching and support in their roles.
- Setting and exceeding high expectations for academic growth and character development for all students, in preparation for success in college and beyond. Currently, the historical college matriculation rate for GOLCS is 79% - nearly twice the national average for economically underrepresented students.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, & ACCESSIBILITY
GOLCS is committed to building a talented team that reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our students. Furthermore, we believe that racial justice and equity is critical to our mission of preparing students for success in college and beyond. We strive to be an organization that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and elevates our student voices in preparing them for life and college.
GOLCS VACCINATION POLICY & COMMITMENT TO SAFETY
Great Oaks Legacy Charter School is committed to ensuring healthy and safe working and learning environments, and maintaining our educational commitment to GOLCS students and families - with minimal disruption to instruction. With this in mind, as of October 2021, Great Oaks Legacy requires vaccination against COVID-19 for all employees. Candidates who would like to apply for a reasonable accommodation from this policy based on a qualifying disability or sincerely held religious belief should reach out to HR@greatoakslegacy.org for more information.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT
Great Oaks Legacy provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.