Overview

Overview

The school social worker provides services to support scholars, families and staff, including counseling, diagnostic assessment, referrals, and reporting. This work takes place at the school site, and is fully aligned with Ascend’s mission, vision, core values and educational program. Social workers at Ascend join a talented team of educators who are deeply committed to changing the lives of their students. In addition to weekly professional development meetings, school staff participates in weekly coaching sessions that target individualized growth goals.

At Ascend, we’re excited about professionals who are fired up about our liberal arts program, positive approach to discipline, and commitment to serve all students. Join us as we foster innate curiosities, encourage discussion and debate, and guide students to think their own way through to answers.

Why extraordinary professionals choose Ascend

Ascend is a network of K-12 public charter schools serving 5.700 students in 15 schools across Brooklyn—New York’s most populous borough. Our undertaking is to lead our students on a great intellectual adventure, provide them with an exceptional college preparatory education, and place them firmly on the path to success in college and beyond.

We guide our students to think critically and independently and to enjoy education as an end in itself. We teach a rich and rigorous liberal arts curriculum that nurtures students’ natural curiosity about the world. We foster a positive, non-punitive school culture where students feel connected, empowered, and safe to take academic risks. Even our school buildings are designed to reflect our high aspirations for teaching and learning and the notable accomplishments that occur within our walls.

To create this kind of vibrant learning community, we invest heavily in our faculty by providing ongoing professional training and support, and encourage our educators to collaborate closely and push each other to achieve great outcomes.

You can learn more about the Ascend approach by visiting our website.

Responsibilities

The school social worker collaborates with teaching staff to determine the best setting to meet scholars’ needs (i.e., individual counseling, social skill development groups, mentoring classes), and meet with faculty and staff on an ongoing basis to help measure progress and discuss strategies for scholars requiring support services. Additionally, the social worker will:

  • Complete diagnostic assessments to identify scholars’ needs and making referrals as appropriate
  • Consult with appropriate professional staff, external agencies and other organizations as appropriate based on scholars’ needs
  • Serve as a member of school-based teams to support scholars and provide confidential guidance to faculty and staff
  • Counsel students individually and in groups
  • Contribute as needed in the development and/or implementation of the school’s social and emotional development and growth curriculum
  • Maintain, in a secure location, up-to-date confidential files on every scholar who receives counseling
  • Interview and communicate with families as appropriate
  • Complete confidential written reports of all cases and meetings
  • Make oral presentations of assessments, diagnostics, and observations, in accordance with all confidentiality laws and regulations
  • Complete reports as may be required by federal, state, or local agencies, laws, and regulations
  • Maintain client confidentiality

Staff and reporting relationships

The school social worker reports to the principal and works closely with student services coordinator.

Qualifications

  • NYS School Social Worker Certification or School Counseling Certification required; LMSW or LCSW strongly preferred
  • Experience working in urban schools is preferred
  • Passion and commitment to urban education and our ultimate goal of closing the achievement gap
  • Commitment to creating a structured, predictable and joyful environment for children
  • A “can do” attitude and the enthusiasm to be a hard-working, team player who is relentless in the pursuit of the school’s academic objectives
  • An openness to accept and implement feedback and engage in a process of self-improvement
  • A strong belief in the Ascend mission

Diversity at Ascend

Ascend is committed to building a diverse and inclusive community, both through our hiring practices and our focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into our way of working and educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our deeply consequential work.

Compensation

Ascend offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

Ascend’s Vaccination Policy Statement

To prevent the infection and spread of COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of staff, students, family members, interns, volunteers, and visitors to Ascend’s premises from COVID-19 infection, Ascend requires all staff to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated for the coronavirus. This policy is mandatory except for staff with a documented medical or religious reason for not receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

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