26-27 Elementary School Social Worker

About KIPP New Jersey

KIPP New Jersey is part of the nationally recognized “Knowledge Is Power Program” network of free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students for success in college and in life. In 2002, KIPP New Jersey first opened its doors in Newark’s South Ward as a single class of 80 fifth graders and has since grown to educate 7,035 students in grades K-12 across 16 schools in Newark, Camden and Paterson. More than 90% of KIPP New Jersey students currently qualify for free or reduced meals. To learn more, visit www.kippnj.org.

Here’s what you need to know:     
As a School Social Worker, you will support special education and general education students to reach their fullest academic and social potential. A bit more about you…you have strong organizational skills and are a communications ace. You want to help kids on an individual basis. You’re willing to do whatever it takes to help each student be successful.

Here’s what you’ll be doing:

• Serve as a case manager to students with identified special needs as well as for students being referred to the Child Study Team.
• Communicate effectively with parents and all stakeholders involved in the IEP process
• Use clinical skills to provide group and individual counseling
• Provide crisis counseling to students and families experiencing mental health and/or social service emergencies
• Deliver behavior management and de-escalation techniques to create a safe school environment for all students.
• Implement behavior intervention plans and monitor student progress in conjunction with the school support team.

Must Haves:

• MSW or LCSW required.
• 1-2 years’ experience in counseling and working with adolescents and families
• Knowledge of community social service resources and how to access them
• Understanding of current rules and regulations regarding child study teams, special education assessments and program requirements
• Unwavering commitment to our students and their success
• Ability to communicate clearly and to invest stakeholders in student goals
• Ability to establish relationships with students and families at all costs
• Solution orientation and ability to bring a new lens to challenging problems
• A high level of organization skills and attention to detail

KIPP NJ offers competitive salaries to newly hired staff members. Salaries are based on prior experience and in accordance with certification requirements. KIPP NJ offers a competitive salary range of $65,000-$103,000+ for school social workers.

In addition to a competitive salary, KIPP NJ  offers a generous benefits package including, but not limited to, the following:  

• Robust benefits that include medical, dental, and vision 
• Participation in the New Jersey Teachers Pension and Annuity Fund, provided appropriate teacher certification
• Optional participation in the KIPP NJ 403b retirement plan, including matching contributions
• A school-issued laptop
• Transportation benefits for TEAMmates commuting into Newark from the New York City area
• Generous Time-Off including 3.5-4 school vacation weeks (depending on the year), allocated sick and personal days, and an extended summer break 
• Up to 12 weeks 100% parental leave for primary caregivers
• Employer paid life insurance
• Extensive optional ancillary benefits including, short term and long term disability and accident and hospital indemnity

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender, age, religion, national origin, citizen status, marital status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Our organization will make a reasonable accommodation to known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of the organization. No questions on this application are asked for any unlawful purpose.

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