Intervention and Family Support Counselors (Social Worker)
Position Description
WCHS Intervention and Family support Counselors are licensed social workers who are committed to the idea that every child can succeed at high levels and believe that they have been called to empower young people through demonstrated commitment to providing students with a rigorous academic experience. They understand the unique needs of the community they serve as well as the complex issues that affect urban youth and their families. Committed to inquiry-based approaches, our student support staff must engage a youth development approach in their interactions with young people by being sensitive to their developmental needs; feel passionately and positively about school culture. Our support staff feels full responsibility for students’ achievement. The ideal candidate will be reflective and willing to improve upon their practice through professional development and support.
To succeed in the position one must be resilient, resourceful, relentless; well-able to adapt to the many changes that can happen in an organization focused solely on doing what is best for students, convinced of the transformative power of education for all students, families, and educators. One must effectively manage their time, resources, and technology, and excel at working in a highly collaborative, professional setting but can also work independently.
Responsible for coordinating all student support services at the school for the students assigned to them, including intervention methodologies, school community educational programs, and providing social services-related training, the Social Worker will also manage the following:
Student and Family Counseling and Support
Provide assessments of students to identify emotional, social, and environmental catalysts for their life situations
Counsel students and interpret their needs to professional and lay groups
Provide training and professional development for counselors, teachers, and staff (i.e., information about student self-mutilation)
Provide direct individual and group counseling to students; Mandates and Non-Mandates
Provide crisis intervention services as appropriate
Develop effective intervention strategies for students based on knowledge and understanding of students’ behaviors and learning styles
Consult with parents on effective intervention strategies
Recommend lesson modifications to meet the needs of students
Assessment and Planning
Maintain records and statistics in accordance with school policies
Document, assess, plan, interact, and intervene as it relates to social work services and in accordance with school guidelines and standards
Create reports that inform the Principal of any general patterns or circumstances that affect the school
Counseling Support to School Teams
Provide consultative services to other school team members within the scope of care definitions as needed
Maintain a working knowledge of relevant medical/legal issues that impact student care (e.g., advance directives, child abuse, etc.)
When necessary, support students and families dealing with adapting to the students’ life situations
Participate in grade-level school level teams and provide leadership in representing clinical social work perspective
Train students, staff, and faculty in relevant social work issues
Maintain working knowledge of and liaise with community agencies and resources
Positively Contributing to Student and School Team Culture
Arrive at school on time and leave no earlier than 3:10 PM. Even with these times parameters in mind, we ultimately seek team members that will simply do whatever it takes and will work relentlessly to ensure each student is emotionally safe and able to academically excel
Create a safe learning and sharing space for students and families
Proactively involve assigned student’s families in their progress through regular communications including (but not limited to): weekly informal communication via emails, notes, telephone calls, and meetings
Hold students to high behavioral and academic expectations and support students to succeed
Model professional and collegial behavior for students
Respond to all school-related communications within 24 hours, including but not limited to voicemails and emails, from WCHS faculty and staff (including supervisors and other teachers)
Adhere to the WCHS Handbook, Personnel Policies, and Instructional Manual
Perform any other job-related duties as directed and assigned
Education and Credentials
Bilingual Spanish is preferred but not requiredOne of the following: School Social Work Certification, School Psychologist Certification, Licensed Social Worker, or Mental Health Clinician.
Social work experience in a school, health care setting, or social service agency preferred
Current licensure as a licensed clinical social worker by the NYS Social Work Certification and Licensure Board
Job Type:
Full-time
Salary and Benefits:
$60K to $90K
403(b) matching up to 8%
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Flexible spending account
Commuter benefits
Over 10 weeks of Paid time off


