Senior Social Worker

BELA Charter School

Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter School (BELA), an all-girls high school located in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, focused on SISTERHOOD, SCHOLARSHIP, STRENGTH and SERVICE is deeply committed to a 100% of our students completing college. Founded on the belief that academic and life preparation is equally as important; each BELA young woman will embark on her own personal and intellectual journey. Students will empower and uplift, while respectfully questioning norms to develop their own identities within their rich cultures and communities. This unique learning environment is designed for educators who are intrigued and motivated by the potential that exist within each of our Bedford Stuyvesant young women and thrives in a start-up atmosphere where outcomes are clearly defined, but allows for creativity and risk taking as we define the process to meeting our goals as a school community.

BELA will serve a cohort of students from grade 9 through grade 12. Each grade will have approximately 65 young women; at capacity, the entire school community will serve a little more than 250 students. 

The Role

The Senior Social Worker role will provide administrative, clinical, and other support to help ensure BELA runs smoothly. This person is a member of BELA’s Leadership Team.

The position is a full-time 12 month position with a July 7, 2025 start date. 

Responsibilities:

 Team Management

• Refine standard operating procedures of the social work team and find new ways to improve quality and efficiency of social work services provided to the school community, including individual counseling, group work, family engagement, and staff support around student development and social emotional growth. 

• Norm BELA approaches to clinical work for both clinicians and interns, as needed 

  • For example: mediations, note taking, ACS protocols, suicidal ideation, etc. 

• Coordinate and lead community in times of student crisis & challenging situations, along with worldwide events/crises

• Collaborate on individualized student success plans with Dean of EmpowerMEnt & IB Coordinators

• Support and lead the student life team in facilitating, at least 3, major school cultural events or student centered celebrations

• Work with other school staff to coordinate support for various student needs (interventions, behavior plans, mental health supports, behavior response plans, hospitalizations, etc.)

• Coordinate SW internship program and supervise experiences

  • Support current social work staff in obtaining SIFI certification. 

• Facilitate weekly Student Life Team meetings
• Represent the student life team at any senior level meetings

Administrative

• Plan and facilitate team trainings and annual reflection meetings 

• Hire and effectively lead the onboarding process for  new team members 

• Support, provide feedback, and refine our whole-school Power Group (SEL) Curriculum

• Along with Social Work Team, facilitate and teach protocols for Grade Team Meetings

• Serve as the social work representative on the MTSS team

• Develop and maintain partnerships with mental health organizations that the team can refer students and families to

• Coordinate, along with the social work team, the delivery, execution and evaluation of various annual assessments, using them to inform work

• Ensure effective note taking practices and procedures within the team

• Coordinate data collection for various purposes, including board reporting

Grade Social Worker & Power Group Facilitator 

• Serve as the lead social worker for cohort of students 

• Facilitate  Power Groups, using group processes and established content to build coping skills, enhance self-esteem, and reduce isolation of students 

• For high risk/need students, advocate for appropriate services for students and their families 

• Consult and collaborate with staff and outside providers on behalf of students and their families

• Effectively plan, implement, and evaluate programs that promote student and family success 

• Use knowledge and understanding of the reciprocal influences of home, school, and community to intervene for student success via such practices as assessment, crisis intervention, home visits, conflict resolution, individual and group counseling, consultation, program development, dropout prevention and coordination of school and community services 

• Serve as a point of contact for outside organizations working with students and their families

Qualifications

• LMSW, or higher social work clinical licensure required

• Bilingual ideal

• SIFI certification ideal

• Experience with transformative and/or restorative justice principles and/or practices

• Ability to work on multiple projects and respond to requests and deadlines in an accurate and timely manner

• Ability to exercise initiative and sound judgment in resolving problems

• Demonstrated professionalism working with educators, administrators, students, and families

• Experience with developing and implementing behavior plans and interventions

• Attention to detail and accuracy in recording incidents

• A firm understanding of social, emotional, and behavioral issues

• Strengths-based, solution-driven problem solver

• Ability to use technology effectively

• Three years or more of working directly with youth in a traditionally underserved community required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Successful record of prior employment, preferably in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn

• Commitment to strengthening your practice through independent study of professional literature and participation in workshops, seminars, conferences, and/or advanced course work

Benefits and Salary 

Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included. 

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity 

BELA seeks individuals of all religious, ethnic and racial backgrounds, sexual and gender identities to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort. This job description reflects BELA’s assignment of essential functions and qualifications of the role. Nothing in this herein restricts management’s right to assign, reassign, or eliminate duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.