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SOCIAL WORKER

I DREAM PCS MISSION

I Dream PCS co-designs purposeful, self-directed learning with children and families, so they have voice and choice on the path to discovering and pursuing their dreams.

The Social Worker will provide school-based, trauma-sensitive counseling services, including crisis counseling (as needed) and planning, and family services at I Dream PCS. The Social Worker will provide professional development for all school staff on related mental health and social-emotional topics, and collaborate with school leaders, classroom and special education coaches, and contracted behavioral specialists to plan and implement behavioral support and services for learners of promise. The Social Worker will build and manage multiple relationships with community-based organizations, school staff, families as an advocate for the academic and social-emotional success of every learner.

ESSENTIAL MINDSETS

• YOU ARE ALL ABOUT I DREAM'S MISSION.

When you read the I Dream PCS mission, your eyes light up and you smile on the inside. Our website speaks to you and you know you want to be a part of making this school a reality for children. You can see it. Our mission and vision align with your beliefs and passion.

• YOU ARE READY TO DISRUPT SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES IN SERVICE OF OUR CHILDREN.

You understand that the current public education system perpetuates systemic racism and that the achievement gap exists by design. You are committed to social justice and ready to transform the current public school model to one that values the gifts and talents every child and every family bring to the world. You are also committed to doing your own work to identify and mitigate your biases and prejudices in service of this work.

• YOU WORK WITH OTHERS POSITIVELY AND PRODUCTIVELY.

You are comfortable with shared decision-making and collaboration with others. You recognize how important and fun it is to be a positive and productive member of a team. You have excellent interpersonal communication skills. People want to work with you.

• YOU HAVE A GROWTH MINDSET ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR WORK.

You are a lifelong learner that is in constant evolution. You know you are good at what you do, but you also know that you always have room to learn. You learn from your mistakes and failures as much as you learn from books and from others. Growing yourself and your expertise comes natural to you. You approach the growth and development of learners and school programs by leveraging strengths and assets rather than focusing on deficits.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide counseling to learners, individually or in small groups

• Provide classroom-based and/or small group prevention (social-emotional skills, anti-bullying, personal safety, stress reduction, grief and loss support, drug/alcohol education). 

• Provide Behavioral Supportive Services to learners with IEP/504 Plans and maintain accurate and timely records. 

• Operate with integrity and in accordance with NASW Code of Ethics and IDEA regulations. 

• Participate as a resource person for I Dream staff training and planning; sharing relevant professional resources, leading professional development, consulting with individual teachers, and supporting the effective use of the school's social curriculum. 

• Identify school-wide or classroom trends in social-emotional health needs and provide recommendations regarding student policies and systems that relate to the social-emotional health of students. 

• Address students' social-emotional needs through effective collaboration with other professionals in grade level teams, SST, IEP, and other student focused meetings. 

• Maintain appropriate school records and provide written reports and communications as needed. 

• Provide crisis intervention, case management and psycho-social student support as necessary.  

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possession of a valid, District of Columbia Social Work license (LISW) or Graduate Social Worker (LGSW)
• Experience in working with Grade Pre-K to 5th student population 
• Must be deeply rooted in the community, ready, willing, and able to liaison in an inclusive manner with diverse populations, community stakeholders, natural and formal leaders in all 8 wards of the District.
• An ability to serve students and families with a framework of equity and dignity for students of all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds 
• Unapologetic belief in the ability of all students to succeed in their path to college and career, with the right supports in place 
• Evidence of in-depth knowledge of special education programs, with experience working with students with exceptional needs 
• Inner ability, stamina and self-care strategies necessary to work with an undervalued population. 
• An understanding of the IEP process  
• Leadership skills in working with individuals and groups (i.e. initiating individual or group discussion, listening, clarifying and facilitating interactions and sharing of ideas)

Persons of cultural consciousness and competence are strongly encouraged to apply.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

I Dream PCS offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience and a comprehensive benefits package to promote self-care and overall wellness.

WHY JOIN I DREAM PCS?

You will work to actively dismantle hierarchical systems of power that prevent young learners from realizing their full potential in the world.  You will collaborate with other lifelong learners and social justice warriors to reimagine school design in a way that includes all voices in the decision-making process.  You understand the task in front of us will require a monumental amount of work, but you see the vision and know this is difficult work we must do for our children.