District Social Worker

THIS IS A LONG-TERM SUB POSITION that is expected to start on 09/04/2024 and end on 01/02/2025. Please note that all substitute teachers are hired as per diem subs, even when placed in long-term assignments. All substitutes begin at the per diem rate of pay. For further information about becoming a BPS sub, please refer to our website (). Period of Service:  School year Location:  Office of Social Work, Boston Latin Academy Reports to:  Director of Social Work The BPS Office of Social Work: The Boston Public Schools is committed to providing every child in every classroom an equitable, world-class, high-quality education with the same unfettered access to every conceivable resource to unlock the greatness within them. As part of an equitable Multi-tiered System of Supports that advances students’ learning and outcomes, The Office of Social Work serves BPS students and families by supporting school-based Social Workers across the district with providing high quality, culturally responsive direct services and advancing antiracist systems and practices. The Office also provides essential training/professional development, consultation, clinical supervision and crisis response coordination. Position Summary: The District Social Worker (DSW) works as part of a team that provides professional development and mentoring as well as provides culturally and linguistically responsive and sustaining services to students, families and school communities, including crisis response and coordination. It is critical that the District Social Worker team represent the linguistic diversity of our BPS students and families to support Social Workers and schools in order to provide services and support in the home languages of students and families. This is a central office-based 183-day position does not strictly follow the school calendar, and will shift up to 10 days a year (between August to June) to best serve the students and families of the Boston Public Schools. Responsibilities: Time percentages are estimations and may vary day to day and year to year. Training & Professional Development  (50%): Lead Professional Learning Communities (PLC’s) for school based social workers, preparing materials and facilitating meetings that integrate restorative and culturally and linguistically sustaining practices. PLCs serve to build communities of practice by providing a space for consultancy and sharing of best practices to strengthen and ensure coherence in school-based social work (50% direct services, 50% anti-racist systems work) across the district. Provide mentoring to school-based Social Workers. This includes observations of social workers, providing appropriate feedback, modeling, and resources to support effective, antiracist, restorative and culturally responsive practice.  Consult with administrators, teachers, families and related service providers to support and collaborate with school-based Social Workers and teams to help build structures that promote positive school climate. Provide training and professional development (PD)to the district and individual schools on topics related to Social Work, including those that satisfy the 18-hour PD requirement for Social Workers, and Safety Care (de-escalation and restraint) training to BPS school staff in partnership with the Office of Special Education. Support/collaborate with colleagues in Academics/ instructional leaders with the implementation of an equitable Multi-tiered System of Support and social emotional learning.  Leads the development and dissemination of resources and healing support for the district in response to traumatic incidents at the community, local and national level. Support school-based staff with the development of a functioning crisis team and response plan. Provide crisis response and healing support for adults educators/staff experiencing direct or secondary trauma. Works cooperatively with other clinicians/counselors and cross-departmental teams, participating in district working groups as needed and appropriate on behalf of Social Workers to enhance the services and opportunities offered to all students in the school system. Maintain documentation and data on all activities, analyzing for trends and sharing these with Social Work leadership to inform Office goals, professional development (PD), targeted strategies and advocacy. Support the development of reports and presentations throughout the year as needed. Participate in professional development, training and seminars as required in order to maintain expertise and/or necessary certifications; this includes fulfilling the required 18-hours of PD outside of the 183 day work days.  Performs other related duties as requested by the Director of Social Work/Supervisor.  Crisis Response & Direct Services (50%) As a member of the Crisis Response Team, provide crisis intervention and follow-up support in partnership with school-based Social Workers and school leaders. One DSW will be identified as the Lead Crisis Liaison for the school calendar year and will focus the majority of their time on response coordination. This responsibility may rotate as needed. Respond to requests for mental health and crisis response support that come through the BPS Family Hotline throughout the year, collaborating and coordinating with the BPS teams as needed and supporting students and families as appropriate. Implement restorative circles and practices to advance collective healing as appropriate As needed and directed, provide counseling, consultation, and case management to individual or small groups of students.  Work cooperatively with student(s) families, mental health staff, external partners, and school staff to establish/enhance communication and coordinate services and opportunities for the student(s) in a manner that aligns with the students’/families’ expressed need and aspirations. Maintains data documentation and prepares assessment reports according to DESE regulations.  As needed and requested, to cover on a short-term basis the absence of a school-based Social Worker, conduct sociological assessments when requested as part of the Special Education eligibility process. This may include home visits. Participate in Eligibility Determination Meetings and Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) meetings in partnership with the office of Special Education in order to produce comprehensive, appropriate and asset-based educational plans for the students and mitigate disproportionality. As needed and requested, partner with school-based Social Workers to provide language access in cases where utilizing interpretive services compromise or preclude the provision of services or engagement/partnership with families. Job Requirements: Required Qualifications: Strong skills using the Google Suite platform. Minimum of 4 year professional experience in an urban setting similar to Boston Public Schools providing educational and clinical services. Certification by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker. Masters Degree in Social Work, School Counseling, or Mental Health Counseling. Licensed Certified Social Worker or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Demonstrated ability to build positive relationships with and among students, adults and multiple stakeholders from various racial/ethnic and linguistic backgrounds.  Demonstrated coaching, mentoring and clinical supervision skills Demonstrated experience providing professional development and training Demonstrated understanding of racial equity and ability to engage in dialogue about race, intersectionality and systems of oppression Demonstrated cultural proficiency and a deep sense of cultural humility and self-awareness. Current authorization to work in the United States - Candidates must have such authorization by their first day of employment. While an individual candidate is not required to be bilingual/biliterate, the team of District Social Workers must hold fluency in the top home languages of the district’s students and families: Spanish, Cabo Verdean Creole, Hatian Creole, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Vietnamese, Portuguese, and Somali. Preferred: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) Four (4) years experience or more in Boston Public Schools Certification as a Trainer of Safety Care Certification in Psychological First Aid Experience working with special education system Certification in Conflict Resolution BPS values linguistic diversity and believes that candidates who speak another language bring added value to the classroom, school, and district culture and diversity.  Please refer to (under "Employee Benefits and Policies") for more information on salary and compensation. Salaries are listed by Unions and Grade/Step. The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individuals’ dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.