Community School Social Worker
MISSION: Our mission is to inspire and empower all young people to take control of their future.
VISION: We envision a world where everyone has access to an equitable path to success.
PROGRAM DESIGN: Roads to Success (RTS) facilitates a variety of youth programs including after-school, summer camps, retreats, conferences and summer employment opportunities, reaching thousands of young people throughout NYC each year. RTS emphasizes the youth development practice of the Circle of Courage in all our programs; creating an environment of Belonging, where young people can build their Independence, find and develop their Mastery skill, and practice Generosity in their communities. At the core of our programs are staff training strategies that enable our young professionals to develop extraordinarily meaningful relationships with the young people in their care who we call Our Future Leaders because that is what they all are.
PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Community School Social Worker will provide direct mental health and social-emotional support to students while leading a team of social work interns, and plan and collaborate with the school’s student support team. This role is integral in advancing a trauma-informed, healing-centered school culture and developing systems of care aligned with the community school's goals.
ORGANIZATIONAL ROLE:
Supervisor: Community School Director
Supervises: Social Work Interns
Hours: Full-time, Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Compensation: $65,000 - $67,000 per year
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Student and School Support:
Build rapport with students, maintain confidential case files, and conduct one-on-one counseling sessions
Conduct assessments and develop service plans to address student needs
Integrate trauma-informed and healing-centered practices school-wide
Facilitate access to services through referrals to internal and external supports
Support the creation and implementation of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) strategies and curricula
Implement mental health interventions using a three-tiered support model (universal, targeted, and intensive)
Intern Supervision and Team Development:
Oversee and coach a team of social work interns
Conduct regular group supervision and prep bi-weekly intern meetings
Guide interns through documentation, referrals, and case management
Ensure alignment with RTS practices, DOE standards, and ethical social work guidelines
Confer and collaborate with interns’ SIFI supervisor (unless SIFI certified)
Partnerships and Systems Building
Collaborate with the school’s mental health team and other community-based mental health organizations
Build and maintain a robust referral network with community-based providers
Provide culturally responsive training for staff on SEL and equity practices
Compliance and Reporting:
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal guidelines
Stay informed of changes in policy, licensing, or best practices
Monitor and report program outcomes as needed
Complete and submit detailed quarterly reports that outline service delivery, student outcomes, referrals, intern contributions, and trends in student need
Collaborate with the Community School Director and site team to ensure data accuracy and timely submission
Family & Community Engagement:
Build trusting relationships with families through consistent, culturally responsive communication
Conduct outreach to families regarding student needs, supports, and progress
Facilitate or co-lead parent workshops related to mental health, SEL, or community resources
Collaborate with school and RTS leadership to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for families
Represent the program at school events and afterschool events as needed
Promote access to support services, including referrals to mental health, housing, or youth employment resources
Help plan and support community-building events
Data & Continuous Improvement:
Track key metrics tied to student support, attendance, behavior, and engagement
Use data to identify gaps, refine practices, and inform service delivery
Support site team in using data to monitor program effectiveness and student outcomes
Participate in regular review cycles and contribute to school improvement planning
QUALIFICATIONS:
Master’s degree in Social Work required. LMSW preferred from an accredited school of social work.
Minimum 3 years in youth development, early childhood programming or school-based experience
At least 1 year of supervisory or intern management experience
Familiarity with SEL and trauma-informed frameworks
Strong communication, critical thinking, and group facilitation skills
Bilingual (Spanish) preferred
COMPETENCIES
Demonstrates cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity across diverse communities
Applies trauma-informed practices to support student well-being and school culture
Collaborates effectively with staff, families, interns, and community partners
Maintains clear, confidential case records and documentation in line with best practices
Provides supportive supervision and coaching to social work interns
Integrates social-emotional learning into student support and adult training
Uses critical thinking to identify student needs and implement effective interventions
Communicates professionally and compassionately with multiple stakeholders
Engages in data-informed reflection and continuous program improvement
WORKING CONDITIONS
The position is based in East Harlem and will require working on-site five days a week
Must be comfortable working in DOE school buildings and community-based locations
Ability to work on occasional evenings and weekends for events or training
Must be able to navigate stairs and carry materials up to 25 pounds when needed
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel welcome and valued. We believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to our success in serving youth.
DISCLAIMER
This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position and its essential functions. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be assigned to the staff member. The specific duties and responsibilities of the position may change from time to time, as determined by the needs of the organization.
The staff member must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
