Social Worker (26-27 School Year) in Rochester, New York at Exploration Elementary Charter School for Science & Tech

Position Summary
The School Social Worker serves as a critical member of the Wellness Team by providing direct social-emotional, behavioral, and family support services to students and families. This position is responsible for helping remove barriers to learning by addressing students’ emotional, behavioral, social, and mental health needs. The School Social Worker collaborates with staff, families, community, organizations, and outside providers to promote student success and overall well-being.

The School Social Worker also supports the implementation of school-wide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives, wellness programming, crisis response, attendance interventions, and family engagement systems. Through counseling, advocacy, intervention planning, and collaboration, the School Social Worker
helps foster a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Essential Job Responsibilities
● Provides individual and group counseling services to address students’ emotional, behavioral, social,
and academic challenges.
● Supports students in developing coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, self-awareness, and
conflict resolution skills.
● Conducts student needs assessments and develops individualized intervention plans based on
student needs.
● Assists in identifying students needing Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions and supports implementation through MTSS systems.
● Responds promptly to crisis situations, including mental health emergencies, family crises, behavioral escalations, and safety concerns.
● Demonstrates sound professional judgment regarding mandated reporting responsibilities, including CPS referrals and safety planning.
● Maintains professionalism, confidentiality, and emotional consistency during difficult or high-stress situations.
● Serves as a liaison between the school and families to strengthen communication, trust, and collaboration.
● Provides proactive family support by identifying needs, connecting families to resources, and assisting families through support processes when necessary.
● Supports families with accessing resources such as counseling services, housing supports, food assistance, healthcare access, transportation, and community-based services.
● Collaborates with teachers, deans, wellness staff, administrators, and outside providers to create plans that support student success.
● Leads and supports the implementation of the school’s SEL curriculum and wellness initiatives.
● Plans, organizes, and facilitates weekly Town Halls for grades K–5 to ensure grade-level SEL instruction and community-building opportunities occur consistently.
● Supports staff with SEL implementation and provides guidance regarding social-emotional supports within classrooms.
● Manages and documents all outside counseling and therapy providers working within the school setting.
● Maintains an updated and confidential list of students receiving outside counseling or therapeutic services.
● Coordinates and communicates with outside providers to support continuity of care for students and families.
● Builds and maintains relationships with community organizations and service providers to expand available supports for students and families.
● Assists in planning and facilitating family workshops, wellness nights, attendance initiatives, and parent engagement opportunities.
● Supports initiatives focused on reducing chronic absenteeism, improving student behavior, and increasing student engagement.
● Participates in SST meetings, behavior planning meetings, restorative conferences, and student support meetings.
● Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential documentation regarding counseling services, interventions, referrals, and family supports.
● Prepares reports, summaries, and data reviews for school leadership as needed.
● Participates in professional development opportunities, team meetings, and school-wide activities.
● Regularly uses Google Workspace and school-based technology systems for communication, documentation, scheduling, and organization.
Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
● Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, restorative approaches, social-emotional learning, crisis intervention, and child development.
● Understanding of mandated reporting responsibilities, confidentiality practices, and ethical social work standards.
● Strong interpersonal, counseling, communication, and relationship-building skills.
● Ability to maintain professionalism, emotional regulation, and sound judgment during high-stress situations.
● Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills to support individualized student and family needs.
● Ability to collaborate effectively with students, staff, families, and community partners.
● Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities and deadlines.
● Commitment to equity, inclusion, and culturally responsive practices.
● Capacity for reflection, feedback, and continuous professional growth.

Qualifications Profile
● Fingerprint clearance from the NYS Department of Education.
● Ability to work flexible hours for family meetings, school events, crisis response situations, and wellness programming as needed.
● Ability to maintain confidential records and sensitive student/family information appropriately.
● Proficiency in Google Workspace, student information systems, and documentation platforms.

Education
● Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited institution required.

Certification
● Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent New York State licensure required.

Experience
● Experience working with children and families in urban, charter, or high-needs school settings
preferred.
● Experience providing counseling, crisis intervention, and family support services strongly preferred.
● Experience with trauma-informed care, restorative practices, and culturally responsive interventions
preferred.
● Experience collaborating with outside agencies, mental health providers, and community
organizations preferred.

Additional Details

Full-time, 10-month position

The hiring process for this position will require a fingerprinted background check through the New York State TEACH System. Any written or verbal offer is contingent upon satisfactory results, as determined by NYSED and the HR/Operations Manager.

Exploration Elementary Charter School does not discriminate based on race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability. The school promotes diversity and provides equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and will
provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities as required by law.