School Social Worker

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER
 
About New Beginnings Family Academy
Opened in September 2002 offering grades K-3, New Beginnings Family Academy (“NBFA”) offers active and engaging learning experiences from Pre-K through 6th grade. NBFA is a tuition-free, public charter school proudly distinguished by:

• Social, emotional and academic learning steeped in child development best practices
• An emotionally responsive model that weaves trauma-informed practice into every classroom
• Parental involvement, in and outside of the classroom
• Placement at competitive high schools (Kolbe Cathedral, Notre Dame, Fairfield Prep, etc.)

NBFA is located on an urban campus at 184 Garden Street, Bridgeport, CT. NBFA is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse workplace. NBFA respects, values and celebrates the unique attributes of all its stakeholders: employees, students, families and members of its Board of Directors.
Mission-Driven Culture:
NBFA employees thrive in a collaborative environment of thoughtful, self-reflective professionals on a mission to change the life outcomes of Bridgeport’s youth by helping to close the nefarious achievement gap. Our mission is to provide students a meaningful, high-quality education through experience-based learning that helps develop essential social, emotional and critical-thinking skills. This gives all children a foundation to achieve their full potential at every stage of life.
Summary:
The NBFA School Social Worker must be committed to and advocate for NBFA’s mission. The School Social Worker is responsible for building and maintaining positive working relationships with students, families, staff and external providers. In so doing, the School Social Worker will identify and connect students and families to appropriate short-and long-term community resources to enhance students’ abilities to achieve academic success.
 
Principal Responsibilities:

• Provide evidence-based counseling services in the form of individual, group, family and/or case management
• Deliver developmentally-appropriate social and emotional programming (e. g. lunch bunches, girls/boys groups)
• Promote NBFA social-emotional learning approaches (Emotionally Responsive Practice, Responsive Classroom, Restorative Practices) as a means to improve student interaction and conflict resolution
• Conduct home visits and conduct interviews in response to school referrals and chronic issues (absenteeism, lateness, behavioral)
• Serve on student support teams and assist with devising and following appropriate action plans (absenteeism, lateness, behavioral)
• Regularly conduct parent interviews to acquire socio-economic and developmental information
• Collaborate with teachers on individualized intervention strategies and educational assessments
• Participate with multidisciplinary team members in carrying out the goals and objectives of each student’s Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
• Attend PPT meetings and parent conferences, as needed
• Attend court interventions, as needed

 
Certification, Knowledge and Skills:

• Current State of Connecticut School Social Worker Certification - 071
• Proven track record of helping students and families with academic, intervention and referral strategies in an urban public school environment
• Be willing and able to make off-site visits to assist students and families
• Be an advocate for NBFA students and families
• Demonstrate strong analytical and technical skills to manage performance data
• Model a high standard of performance and collegiality
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Work
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker preferred

 
Benefits:

• Friendly work environment
• Healthcare plan which includes medical and dental benefits (generous portion of premium paid by NBFA)
• Life & AD&D, Long-Term & Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Ten (10)+ paid national holidays; school closes year-end, for Spring Break and Summer Vacation
• Personal Days / Vacation / Sick Leave per Collective Bargaining Agreement

 
Classification:
Full-Time/Exempt/Ten (10) Months
 
Compensation:
Per Collective Bargaining Agreement