Social Worker - Bilingual

Social Worker - Bilingual Highly Preferred )

Full-time

The Phoenix Academy Network currently operates three high schools in Massachusetts - one in Chelsea, one in Lawrence and one in Springfield - with plans to open additional schools in the coming years. The Phoenix Network is the only network of schools in Massachusetts that operates both charter and traditional, in‑district schools. We are at the forefront of education, particularly alternative education, in Massachusetts.

The mission of all Phoenix schools is to challenge teenagers with an academically rigorous and individually tailored curriculum. Talented students who have not succeeded in other schools will have the support, resources and training needed at Phoenix to succeed academically in high school and college, and become economically secure in their future. Phoenix is named after a mythological figure of strength, healing and renewal.

We believe in the capacity of our students to regain control of their academic future and recast themselves as strong, independent and self‑sufficient adults.

The Social Worker is a member of the Student Support Team, and successful candidates are those excited to work in a dynamic school environment that values collaboration and teamwork. This position requires a great deal of case management, referral management and coordination with other staff, adult supporters, and community agencies. Bilingual candidates (English/Spanish, English/French) are preferred.

Social workers in the Phoenix Charter Academy Network are charged with operating within these Key Areas:

• Internalize mission and make this central to all decisions and actions inside and outside of the school in addition to upholding the student code of conduct at all times.
• Meet with individual students in accordance with their individual needs, or IEPs or 504 plans, to provide counseling toward identified goals so that school success is possible.
• Create and maintain relationships and formal partnerships with local mental health and family counseling agencies as well as other partners who may be able to offer services to PCA students and families in need.

Commitments

It is a given that all of the faculty work very, very hard. All staff acknowledge that we will do more than just work hard; we each seek – through formal and informal feedback – to dramatically improve our own progress and that of our students. At PCA, an ongoing quest for leadership improvement is not considered remedial, it is essential and ongoing for all staff.

Specific Responsibilities

• Be the clinical part of the Student Support Team, provide consult to SS staff assisting students with or without IEPs and 504s in crisis (both in the moment and with appropriate follow up) and with ongoing behavioral interventions.
• Create personal, warm relationships with all students, even those that are not targeted for social work intervention, sending a clear message that the academic work is central to the mission of the school and all relationships in the school are in place to support the academic success of students in college and post‑secondary endeavors.
• Work collaboratively with BEST teams and outside psychologists to acquire assessments and higher level of care for students.
• Outreach to parents and adult supporters to discuss and address clinical needs of students.
• Manage intakes and reporting, including counseling intakes and Medicaid paperwork.
• Assist staff and personnel who have heard student disclosures with managing, processing and dealing with confidential and privileged information that students may disclose.
• Coordinate and case manage students hospitalized or in other residential settings or treatment programs.
• Attend IEP and other meetings to assess and address students in need of or receiving special education services.
• Design and implement social‑emotional support groups addressing needs identified in current student body.
• Provide psycho‑education to personnel regarding social and emotional disabilities and well‑being.
• Report to the Director of School Culture. Meet weekly with the Director of School Culture for supervision, which includes consulting about any mental health issues that may…