Social Worker

BELA Charter School

Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy Charter School (BELA), a new 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 exists 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.

For the inaugural school year, BELA will serve grade 9 ONLY and add a cohort of students each year through grade 12. Each grade will have 85 young women; at capacity, the entire school community will serve 350 students. 

The Role

The Social Worker will provide Individual and group counseling, as well as crisis management and other supports to help ensure BELA runs smoothly. This person reports to the Dean of Student Life. The Social Worker provides individual and group psychotherapeutic counseling and case management to a cohort of incoming 9th grade students. The social worker will offer social-emotional, developmental, and academic support, and evaluate the scope of student therapeutic need for clinical referrals. The Social worker provides crisis intervention support, including collaboration with the Student Life Team.

Responsibilities Include:

• Serve as the grade social worker for a cohort of incoming students, providing clinical services to them for their high school experience (some of which may be virtual)

• Create and deliver comprehensive and rigorous social emotional skills based curriculum (virtually and/ or onsite) to include self awareness and management; social awareness and relationship skills; and responsibility decision making. 

• Work with student life team and teaching staff to acclimate students to the cultural expectations at BELA

• Provide individual and group counseling for incoming 9th grade students (some of which may be virtual)

• Provide collateral support to families of students, referring to community resources where appropriate

• Support a strong and cohesive school culture through restorative and transformative justice practices and community building.

• Provide mandated counseling and advocacy for students with Individualized Education Plans, including attending IEP meetings

•  Advocate for students at meetings,  in Student Life Team and in Restorative/Transformative Justice processes.

• Prepare all case notes, and all other necessary documentation pertaining to clinical supports in a timely manner

• Create and participate in new student orientation experiences and community building activities (virtually and in person)

• Build relationships and community with new students, families and staff (some of which may be virtual)

• Consult with teachers to provide collaborative supports, ensuring the success of students

• Work with Student Life Team to provide evening workshops and meetings for families, staff professional development workshops, and student life team departmental trainings

• Support the student life team in facilitating mediations and responding to crisis situations presenting for students and families

• Provide referrals to families for mental health, therapy and psychiatric services as needed and act as the liaison between outside service providers and the school (i.e.: ACS workers, mental health, therapists, caseworkers, etc.) by maintaining regular contact in order to facilitate holistic student support

• Attend community events, including school Open Houses, Fairs, and Family Meetings as needed 

• Ensure clinical practices are carried out in culturally and racially sensitive manner

• Participate in daily student life team meetings to discuss school wide student concerns and interventions, as well as supervision with Dean of Student Life

• Other duties as assigned

 QUALIFICATIONS:

LMSW or LCSW

• NY state/city experience is strongly preferred.

• Some clinical experience in a mental health or school setting preferred

• Ability to engage and diffuse crisis situations

• An ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and a capacity to remain calm, focused, and solution oriented when faced with unexpected challenges

• Ability to work effectively with adolescents, families, professionals 

• Commitment to working in Bed Stuy Community

• Interest in supporting students and families via a transformative justice lens

• An ability to  actively engage students in their own learning and social and emotional development

• Strong written and oral communication skills including an acumen for participating in sensitive conversations

• A disposition toward teamwork and collaboration

Benefits and Salary 

Salary between $61,000 and $115,000. 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.

APPLY NOW at BELAHS.ORG