Social Worker (LICSW)

Overview

Friendship Public Charter School operates a network of college-preparatory public charter schools, serving students from preschool through 12th grade. Our mission is to provide a world‑class education that equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary for academic achievement and success beyond high school.

We are seeking dedicated professionals to join our team for the 2025/2026 school year. If you are committed to helping students achieve academic success and preparing them for college and career opportunities, we encourage you to apply.

Our formal interview process will begin in January 2025 for our confirmed vacancies only. Non‑vacant positions may still be posted during this time.

Responsibilities

• Preventive work with students, staff, and families;
• Providing consultation to school staff and parents to facilitate student educational, social, and emotional growth;
• Obtaining information concerning the effects of environment, including family, cultural, and economic disadvantages that may be adversely affecting student progress;
• Conducting home visits that encourage home/school communication;
• Working collaboratively with the Student Support Team (SST) to develop plans of assistance for students at risk of academic and/or behavioral difficulty;
• Coordinating school and community services;
• Serving as the home‑school‑community liaison responsible for effective resource utilization and positive relations with stakeholders;
• Serving as a mediator within the school;
• Communicating with other agencies involved with students;
• Attending court hearings as a Friendship PCS representative; and
• Making appropriate referrals for community resources.

Special Education

• Conducting social work evaluations and other related assessments for initial evaluations and re‑evaluations.
• Providing related services as prescribed by Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), including social skills, life skills, and transitional skills that can be transferred from school to community.
• Participating in MDT, IEP, manifestation determination, and other related meetings.
• Working collaboratively within the classroom setting to implement student IEPs.
• Collecting data for the purpose of monitoring social/emotional progress and evaluating effectiveness of services.
• Providing technical assistance on strategies that improve outcomes for special education students.
• Coordinating the design and implementation of behavior intervention plans and functional behavior assessments.
• Keeping thorough records of each student receiving services.
• Completing student progress reports.

Qualifications

• Experience in the role preferred.
• Master's of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours; a minimum of six graduate semester hours in education; and completed a supervised practicum or field experience of a minimum of 400 clock hours in an accredited school discharging the duties of a school social worker.
• District of Columbia Government, Department of Health Professional License, which must be renewed every two years by obtaining the required continuing education units: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW).
• District of Columbia Certification as a School Social Worker, which must be maintained throughout employment with Friendship Public Charter School.
• At least two years of work experience as a Social Worker in an urban school/setting with a track record of high student achievement.
• Understanding of child development, psychopathology, social and environmental conditioning, cultural diversity and family systems.
• Ability to conduct clinical interviews and write comprehensive social history evaluations.

FPCS’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, status as a special disabled veteran, or any other protected criteria as established by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfer, layoff, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. Employment decisions at FPCS are based solely upon relevant criteria, including an individual’s capabilities, qualifications, training, experience and suitability.