Middle School Social Worker

Company Description

About KIPP

KIPP Public Schools is a national network of tuition-free public charter schools preparing students with the skills and confidence needed to create the futures they want for themselves, their communities, and us all. We are a network of 279 schools, nearly 16,500 educators, and 210,000 students and alumni. KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools (KPPS) is part of the national KIPP Public Schools network and currently leads eight schools serving 3,400 students in North and West Philadelphia. By 2030, KPPS will be serving approximately 4,000 students.

KPPS Mission

Together with families and communities, we create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students to pursue the paths they choose-college, career, and beyond-so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Life at KIPP Philly

At KPPS, we believe that talented, committed, and culturally competent educators and staff are the foundation of our students' success. We work to create a professional community grounded in joy, candor, care, and connection - where every team member can bring their authentic self, grow in their craft, and contribute to meaningful work. Here is what you can expect:

• Commitment to Anti-Racism & Equity: Join a team dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and creating inclusive, culturally responsive schools where all students and staff can thrive.
• Joyful, Inclusive Community: Work in a collaborative, identity-affirming environment that values relationships, celebrates individuality, and supports the well-being of adults and children alike.
• Competitive & Equitable Compensation: Benefit from transparent compensation structures, including performance-based bonuses that recognize meaningful contributions.
• Professional Growth & Leadership Pathways: Access high-quality development - including coaching, workshops, and tailored leadership opportunities - designed to support your long-term career trajectory.
• Authenticity & Belonging : Be part of a culture that encourages you toshow up as your full self and contribute to a community rooted in trust and respect.
• People-Centered Excellence: Join colleagues who believe strong relationships and thoughtful preparation drive excellent outcomes-for students and for staff.
• Comprehensive Well-Being Support: Receive whole-person support through coaching, mental health resources, wellness initiatives, and team-building experiences that prioritize your professional and personal growth.

Job Description

Role Overview:
KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools seeks a highly dedicated social worker to join the team. KPPS Social Workers provide the following core services: prevention, intervention, assessment, and collaboration. Social Workers work directly with students to provide effective, evidence-based, high-quality direct services, as well as mezzo and macro opportunities related to the well-being of our students, families and community. Our Social Worker will also work directly with teachers to cultivate their knowledge of students' social and emotional development. More information on the types of activities common and expected by KPPS Social Workers is found below.


Prevention

• Provide group or 1:1 school-based counseling services to students with and without IEPs as part of a defined caseload.
• Participate in intervention meetings (ex: SAP, MTSS, grade level meetings) to thought partner with teachers and other staff around social and emotional interventions at the school-wide and student specific level.
• Build relationships and collaborate with external community and social services professionals to develop appropriate agency services for students and families.
• Facilitate workshops and other learning opportunities for families.
• Participate on school staff teams to develop policies and practices to proactively build school culture including opportunities for team building and collaboration among students.
• Help drive a school-wide atmosphere that best suits the needs of our students, teachers, and families.
• Facilitate professional development for teachers to help them understand child development and how it affects student performance academically and social/emotionally.

Intervention

• Drive social and emotional intervention plans for our most high need students including, but not limited to, those with 504s, IEPs or requiring mental health crisis response.
• Run individual and group counseling sessions with research based therapeutic interventions in line with the scope of practice for school-based support.
• Assist students, teachers, and families to develop solutions to family and community factors that influence students' capacity or ability to learn.
• Serve as the building lead for crisis intervention, managing crisis protocols from referral through to transition back to school.
• Coordinate logistics for outside services when on-site; support inter-agency collaboration when students are returning to school. Lead collaboration and referral processes with our IBHS assigned partners in line with PA requirements.
• Lead the school's Student Assistance Program process in line with PA requirements.
• Manage support of students who qualify for McKinney-Vento services in collaboration with school and regional office Operations Team members.
• Provide outside referrals to families when student or family needs exceed the scope of practice for school-based counseling services.
• Coordinate community resource activities with partnership organizations to expand the network of supports accessible to KPPS students and families.
• Respond to mental health crisis as part of the school's crisis response team.

Documentation and Assessment

• Complete high-quality progress notes for all students receiving social work services weekly and maintain up-to-date records for all services rendered.
• Complete and document mental health crisis assessments for students as needed
• Complete mental health or counseling intervention documentation related to student referrals for outside programs or services.
• Utilize interviews with students, family members, and KIPP staff members to assess each student on their caseload's school-based counseling needs as appropriate; help all constituents integrate information to best meet the student's needs.
• Provide recommendations to MTSS, IEP, 504 and other processes related to behavioral interventions including, but not limited to type, frequency and modality of school-based counseling options.
• Conduct observations to gather data to determine best options for interventions for students on caseload as appropriate.

Collaboration

• Attend all O3s, Professional Development and other required collaboration opportunities.
• Create professional learning goals each year and implement feedback as part of working towards these goals.
• Offer support to and receive constructive feedback from colleagues to create a professional working atmosphere that is conducive to growth and improvement.
• Attend IEP and inter-departmental meetings for students receiving Social Work services.
• Supervise and mentor social work interns and/or additional MSW level employees pursuing their clinical licensure in PA.

School Responsibilities

• Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
• Contribute to the planning and execution of all school-wide events
• Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events and phone calls home
• Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties
• Chaperone field lessons/field trips
• Additional responsibilities may arise during the school year. They will be communicated to all employees with as much notice and flexibility as possible.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Masters in Social Work from an accredited institution
• Pennsylvania Licensure (LSW minimum)
• Commitment to working with underserved students

Preferred:

• Experience working within an urban school
• Experience adapting therapeutic interventions to be culturally relevant and appropriate for diverse communities
• Pennsylvania Clinical Licensure (LCSW)
• Complete all required criminal and child abuse background checks prior to start date:
  • PA State Police Clearance
  • PA Child Abuse Clearance
  • Cogent Federal Fingerprinting

Additional Information

Compensation:

• Salary range for this position is $53,000 - $83,000 commensurate upon years of K-12 experience and certification status.
• All full-time team members at KPPS enjoy a comprehensive health benefits package (including vision and dental, a telehealth option, and flexible spending accounts) for themselves and their families as well as a 403B matching program for retirement savings and free access to financial advising services.
• Social Worker salaries at KPPS are equitable and transparent. To maintain equity, teacher salaries are determined by a combination of years of teaching experience and certification status. All candidates are welcome to ask their recruiter how their experience and credentials will translate to their salary.
• Social Workers have access to $2,500 in tuition reimbursement to pursue School Social Worker certification at a Pennsylvania-approved certification program.

Note to Applicants:

• KIPP Philadelphia Schools is an equal opportunity employer. Employees are selected on
  the basis of ability without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability,
  marital status, or sexual orientation, in accordance with federal and state law.

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