Bi-Lingual Social Worker (JP)

Social Worker

Ellis Early Learning, "Ellis," is a vibrant, Boston-based nonprofit with a rich history founded in 1885. Ellis provides high-quality early education and care for infants, toddlers, and preschool children. Ellis is among the most socio-economically, racially, and culturally diverse organizations serving children in Boston and is accredited by the NAEYC. Through a partnership with Boston Public Schools, it also operates four Boston Pre-K classrooms. Ellis serves children from four weeks to five years old and operates two centers in the South End and a third center in Jamaica Plain, serving over 300 children annually. Approximately 20% of Ellis students have open cases with the Department of Children and Families, and approximately 11% of students are experiencing homelessness.

Ellis Vision: Every child thrives, and every educator flourishes in an inclusive and equitable learning environment.

Ellis Mission: Ellis partners with families to provide high-quality early childhood education in a warm, nurturing environment. A recognized leader in our field, we support children across the socio-economic spectrum, treasure diversity in all forms, and celebrate the joy of childhood.

Position Overview

As a key member of our four-person Family Support Team, the Social Worker in this role will provide dedicated support to 10 early education classrooms located at our 58 Berkeley Street school. Each Ellis school site is assigned its own Social Worker, and the organization is also supported by a Family Navigator who serves all three sites. The Family Support Team meets weekly to collaborate, reflect, and ensure that the needs of children and families are consistently met with care and intention.

Responsibilities

Social Work Program Administration

• Coordinate with DCF and Adoption Social Workers to provide updates about the child(ren)'s progress in the program and supports the program can offer the family as needed
• Collaborate with Ellis enrollment team and the DCF childcare coordinators in each district office to get reauthorizations for vouchers
• Maintain partnerships with external organizations to provide increased therapeutic resources to the program
• Coordinate directly with the Vice President to establish procedures for program intakes, referrals, and termination of services
• Maintain all necessary documentation in clinical files
• Participate and provide a therapeutic lens in parent meetings as requested by leadership
• Supervise social work interns, as desired, and provide a comprehensive learning experience reflective of social work and Ellis values

Social Work Program Implementation

• Manage internal and external referrals for clinical services and connect families to the Ellis Family Navigator as needed
• Facilitate therapeutic groups offered to all children to support social and emotional development
• Facilitate parent support groups or therapeutic training for families quarterly, and as requested, provide therapeutic consult for families
• Provide trauma-informed and strengths-based behavior management support and interventions, as well as coaching to staff regarding implementation
• Provide classroom support and crisis intervention as needed

General Ellis Support

• Help facilitate various donations for families as needed
• Help support events planned by the Family Support Team
• Provide front desk coverage as needed; greet families and transfer phone calls

Requirements

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited program required
• Licensure: Current Massachusetts Licensed Certified Social Worker (LCSW) required or obtain within 3 months of hire
• Strong understanding and experience with trauma-informed care, with an Early Relational Health or Early Childhood Mental Health focus preferred
• Demonstrated experience in a childcare or family care center serving culturally diverse families from low-income households
• Strong interpersonal communication skills (in person, by phone, and in writing)
• Superior attention to detail, consistency, accuracy, and follow-through
• Able to practice effective organizational skills
• Demonstrate sound personal judgment, show initiative, and resourcefulness
• Fluency in languages other than English (particularly Spanish and/or Haitian Creole) preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support the health, financial well-being, and work-life balance of our benefit eligible employees. Benefits include:

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation and sick time, with vacation accrual prorated based on date of hire and increasing annually, up to maximum accrual at your second anniversary. Employees also receive a paid birthday holiday.
• Health & Wellness: Medical insurance, along with dental and vision coverage options. In addition, employees benefit from a generous Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help offset eligible healthcare expenses.
• Financial Benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer match to support long-term financial planning. Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options are also available for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Employer-Paid Benefits: Company-paid life insurance and long-term disability (LTD) coverage for added financial security.
• Employee Support: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), offering confidential resources for personal, family, and work-life support.
• Childcare Benefit: Discounted childcare is available for employees with children enrolled in the program