Licensed School Social Worker/Counselor

Job Description

The School Social Worker ensures every KIPP student has equitable access to learning by addressing barriers to attendance, behavior, mental health, and basic needs through a tiered continuum of services (universal, targeted, intensive). This role blends direct clinical support and case management with systems-building: progress monitoring, legally compliant documentation, and cross-team problem solving with Student Support, Culture, Operations, and Academics. The Social Worker partners with families and community agencies, responds to crises, and advances a positive, identity-affirming school culture.

Key Responsibilities:

Tiered Services (MTSS) & Counseling

• Deliver evidence-based social–emotional and mental health supports across Tiers 1–3 (classroom lessons, small groups, and short-term individual counseling/skill-building).

• Use validated screeners and referral pathways; determine level of need, provide/coordinate services, and track fidelity and impact.

Case Management, Compliance & Referrals

• Maintain accurate, timely records (consents, progress notes, service logs) aligned to FERPA/HIPAA and district/state rules.

• Participate in IEP/504 processes as assigned (present levels, goals, accommodations), and coordinate outside evaluations/services when indicated.

• Serve as McKinney-Vento and/or Foster Care point (as assigned): verify eligibility, remove barriers, and coordinate supports (transportation, supplies, housing referrals).

Crisis Response & Safety

• Lead/participate in crisis prevention and response (risk screenings, safety plans, re-entry meetings); train staff on referral, de-escalation, and mandated reporting protocols.

• Coordinate with school nurses, security, and community responders; document incidents and after-action steps.

Attendance, Behavior & Basic Needs

• Partner with Attendance Team to analyze data, conduct outreach, and implement interventions to reduce chronic absenteeism.

• Collaborate with Deans/Administrators on behavior plans, restorative conferences, and reintegration supports.

• Build resource networks (food, housing, medical/behavioral health, transportation); connect families and track outcomes.

Family & Community Partnership

• Facilitate accessible, multilingual communication and workshops that build family capacity (e.g., SEL strategies, navigating services).

• Manage referrals and MOUs with community providers; monitor quality, confidentiality, and follow-through.

Data, Progress Monitoring & Team Collaboration

• Establish dashboards/summaries for caseload, goals, dosage, and outcomes; present trends in Student Support meetings.

• Contribute to campus culture and Tier 1 SEL (advisory, classroom routines, staff PD) and to schoolwide plans (attendance, crisis, testing, re-entry).

In support of KIPP New Orleans Schools' commitment to providing a safe and orderly learning environment, all school-based employees are expected to perform the following essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Maintain active supervision of students in classrooms, hallways, common areas, and other school settings as assigned to ensure student safety and well-being.
   
• Be physically present and engaged in assigned work locations during the scheduled workday to fulfill responsibilities requiring in-person interaction with students, families, and colleagues.
   
• Respond appropriately to school emergencies and actively participate in emergency response procedures, including but not limited to evacuations, lockdowns, shelter-in-place, reunification, and other crisis protocols.
   
• Support student and staff safety by implementing established behavioral expectations and utilizing de-escalation strategies when appropriate, consistent with district policies and training.
   
• Maintain situational awareness and communicate promptly with school leadership and emergency personnel during safety incidents.
   
• Participate in required safety, emergency preparedness, and crisis response training.

Qualifications

The following qualifications are required:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited program.

• State licensure (e.g., LCSW/LPC or state-approved equivalent); eligible for supervision if not independently licensed.

• School-based or youth mental health experience delivering Tier 2/3 interventions, crisis response, and case management.

• Working knowledge of MTSS, trauma-informed practices, restorative approaches, and child welfare/mandated reporting.

• Familiarity with special education and Section 504 processes and documentation.

• Data fluency: uses screeners, progress monitoring tools, and SIS/SEIS platforms; strong written documentation.

• A personal affinity to our mission and vision, as well as demonstrated commitment to our 5 core beliefs - Relentlessness, Elevation, Achievement, Community, and Hope.

• All offers are considered pending until the successful completion of a professional reference check, including your most recent supervisor, as well as a state/federal background check.

This is a 100% on‑site position. The duties described above are essential functions that require the employee’s physical presence at the work location; they cannot be performed remotely. The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative, but not exhaustive, of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the role. All of these physical requirements should be able to be performed with clarity, coherence and connectedness of the KNOS vision, and reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Commitments

• Maintain a friendly, respectful, professional and courteous attitude with all people, including all KNOS employees, Board members, community and philanthropic partners, funders, and vendors.
• Model superior customer service behavior by maintaining positive relationships with all KNOS stakeholders.
• Contribute as a positive and effective team member; work effectively with other team members to accomplish KNOS goals.
• Be prompt and available for flexible scheduling; be honest and fair in all professional dealings.

Physical & Mental Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the individual is regularly required to communicate information and ideas effectively so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, including noisy environments such as cafeterias and playgrounds, to more moderate situations such as classrooms or large group professional settings.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Read, analyze, and interpret data (emails, memos, letters, etc.) and maintain visual attention and mental concentration for significant periods of time.
• Able to sit and work at a desk/computer for extended periods of time and lift/move up to 30lbs occasionally.
• Employees must be able to move throughout the school campus, including classrooms, hallways, stairwells, playgrounds, cafeterias, and other instructional or student activity spaces, and may be required to stand, walk, or respond quickly during routine supervision or emergency situations.

Work Environment

• Duties may require traveling to other school facilities using employee's personal transportation.
• This is a full-time, 100% on-site position; Regular work hours, Monday through Friday, will be established with your supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Work Authorization

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Additional Information

• Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience, and we routinely engage in compensation analysis for all roles across the organization to ensure that we remain competitive in the market.
   
• 403(b) retirement plan – KNOS matches 100% of employee contribution up to the first 5% of salary and any bonuses. Vested immediately in 403(b).
   
• KNOS employees are eligible for health and wellbeing benefits starting the first day of the month following their Date of Hire.
   
• Comprehensive, customizable health coverage, including disability, life insurance, hospital indemnity, FSAs for health and dependent care, and free dental and vision for employees.
   
• KNOS employees are provided ~30 paid holidays and additional paid time off.
   
• Opportunities for on-going professional development.

Disclaimer:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• This job description shall not constitute or be construed as a promise of employment or as a contract between KNOS and any of its employees.

KIPP New Orleans Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

At KIPP New Orleans Schools, we are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran service, genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. KNOS expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on any of the characteristics listed here. Improper interference with the ability of KNOS employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.

KNOS complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the KNOS has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Contact Us:

Please contact our regional Talent Team at [email protected] with any questions.