Bilingual (Spanish) Social Worker/Counselor

About AppleTree

AppleTree focuses exclusively on Preschool and Pre-K education with a mission of closing the achievement gap before students get to kindergarten. We provide free, full-day public charter school programming for three- and four-year olds in 12 locations across Washington, DC,  employing our innovative and award winning instructional model, called Every Child Ready (ECR). This instructional model provides educators with tools and resources for “What to Teach”, “How to Teach” and “How to Measure Success.” Our instructional model is also used with partners across the nation. We continuously test and improve this model through feedback from AppleTree educators, partners and other stakeholders to ensure that children are learning and exploring through play and appropriate instruction.

Position Summary

AppleTree is seeking an experienced School Social Worker/Counselor to support teachers, administrators, families and staff in ensuring that AppleTree Early Learning Public Charter School (AELPCS) provides optimal support to all children, especially those who need extra support in developing social competencies and those with challenging home situations. The School Social Worker/Counselor brings an understanding of the psychosocial development of children and the influences of family, community, and cultural differences to the educational process. Social workers help to ensure that children are physically, socially and emotionally available for instructional experiences that will close the achievement gap before children enter kindergarten.

What you’ll do…

Support achievement of all students

Develop an understanding of the school’s mission, culture, response to intervention instructional model and school-wide behavior management plan
Ensure  all social work policies and practices align with the school’s mission, culture, response to intervention instructional model and school-wide behavior management plan
Assist in the screening and assessment of students’ social-emotional and behavioral needs, including completing classroom observations
Provide specialized, data-driven consultation to instructional staff to support effective classroom management, preventive interventions and behavior modification plans
Participate in school processes designed to help children in need of extra support, including the Student Support Team and Multi-disciplinary Team

Acts as a resource for families and the AppleTree community/network

Plan and provide school-wide programming to support responsive parenting, parent involvement and identified school-needs
Has knowledge of community resources to assist families, including those facing homelessness, domestic violence, drug abuse, unemployment and low adult literacy
Collaborate with community agencies to coordinate services within the school system
Conduct school-wide surveys to assess the needs of the school and school families
Provide professional development on areas of expertise to school personnel

Provides direct services to children and families

Provide short-term consultation services to families who need support
Provide short-term, classroom-based support to children who are having difficulties adjusting to other children or school
Provide short-term, classroom-based support to children who are experiencing social-emotional and/or behavioral problems
Provide short-term individual therapy to children experiencing behavioral problems utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques (e.g. play therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy)
Facilitate social skills groups
Refer children, parents or families to community agencies where the need is indicated
Act as the school-based liaison for students with community-based services and supports
Implement and progress monitors social emotional goals for students with IEPs
Provide crisis response support and assistance to children and families
Support interventions and conducts home visits for families struggling with consistent attendance
Serve as the school-based homeless and foster care liaison
Conduct Functional Behavior Assessments for general and special education students
Lead the design, implementation, and progress monitoring of behavior plans

Compliance and reporting

Seek out clinical supervision as applicable
Maintain systematic data collection, review, analysis and reporting processes for all social work activities
Complete social work services dashboards regularly and on time

Contributes to a community of practice

Communicate frequently with school administrators, school staff, peers and Institute staff
Maintain necessary records.
Maintain strict confidentiality with regard to all aspects of student information.
Understand, and practice in accordance with, federal, state, and local laws, statutes, and/or policies that relate to students and families; such as, child protection/child abuse, special education, attendance, education rights and privacy
Seek out professional development opportunities for oneself
Demonstrates professionalism in all interactions and duties
Maintain cooperative, respectful and supportive relationships with colleagues
Allocate time and resources effectively

What we’re looking for…

A Master’s degree in social work or counseling and appropriate licensure (LGSW, LICSW, LGPC, LPC)
Experience as a Social Worker or Counselor, preferably in an urban elementary school setting. Experience with early childhood is a plus
An understanding of the community’s health and mental health resources
Professionalism, sensitivity and responsibility to students and AppleTree’s mission
This position requires travel to multiple campuses
Bilingual (Spanish) candidates encouraged to apply
Competitive Salary
Employee Health Benefits that are in the 95th percentile of other schools in the DC Metro Area
Fully covered Dental
Benefits for you and all eligible dependents
Fully covered Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability, Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Life insurance with buy-up options
Free Online Wellness Platform for you and up to 4 eligible dependents
Competitive Paid Time Off, including early close Mental Health Days
5% Employer Contribution to your Retirement Account (whether you contribute or not)
AppleTree Scholarship to pay for continued education
Network Professional Development Opportunities

AppleTree’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

At AppleTree, we endeavor to foster an environment where each person’s true self and experience is welcome.  We believe that only with a diverse and inclusive environment can you truly celebrate and support all students, families, and staff. Our commitment to diversity is founded on the belief that our community is strengthened by the vibrant exchange that occurs when individuals with different backgrounds, abilities, and heritages share their various perspectives with one another.