Assistant Director, School Social Work

Harlem Children' Zone (HCZ) — a world-renowned education and poverty-fighting organization based in New York — seeks an enthusiastic, dedicated, and mission-aligned Assistant Director for our Social Services Department with the Promise Academy Charter Schools.

The Assistant Director will bring a passion for the mission of Harlem Children’s Zone: break the cycle of intergenerational poverty with comprehensive, on-the-ground programming that builds up opportunities for children and families to thrive in school, work, and life.

The Assistant Director will join the Harlem Children’s Zone/Promise Academy Charter Schools Social Work Team. This team is comprised of 8 Social Workers, each assigned to one of the Promise Academy Schools. The team works closely with the Principals, Administration, and other Harlem Children’s Zone entities to ensure optimal student success. The Social Work team members work to provide support and aim to help preserve families through strength-based approaches. The extent of involvement by a social worker varies and is based on many factors, including, but not limited to, the needs of the child and/or family. Team members provide school-based counseling services, assessments, crisis intervention, case management, advocacy, and referral services. The team is supervised by the Director of Social Services and is under the HCZ Wellness and Social Services umbrella.

We seek to hire an LCSW or LMSW Social Work Assistant Director for our HCZ PA school-based Social Work Team. The ideal candidate will bring a passion for the mission of Promise Academy and HCZ, an understanding and respect for the culture of all residents of Harlem, and experience working in a school setting with love for children. 

For more information, check out Want to Work at Harlem Children's Zone? Here's 7 Things You Need to Know.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work
• Valid LCSW
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience 
• Valid NYC School Social Worker Certification

Who you are

• A commitment to the mission and programs of HCZ
• A master’s degree in social work
• LCSW or LMSW certification with at least two years of supervisory experience, preferably in a school setting, nonprofit organization, or child welfare program
• Must have provisional School Social Worker certification
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
• Passion for children and families and a strong connection to the community
• Sensitivity to community issues and needs
• School is year-round; work schedule is based on the calendar year, not the school schedule
• Maybe required to work (scheduled) late nights
• Required to work late nights (as needed) to support crises and/or to accommodate parents/guardians’ schedules
• Bilingual (Spanish and/or French/African dialect) is desirable

 What you'll do

• Oversee and ensure quality counseling, crisis intervention, and case management services in an effort to reduce or eliminate any risk factors that impede a student’s ability to learn or place a student and/or family at risk
• Guide, lead, and develop staff on an ongoing basis
• Provide weekly supervision
• Co-facilitate Social Work team meetings
• Assume responsibilities of the Director’s position (during the absence of the Director)
• Assess high-risk situations and make immediate recommendations and referrals in efforts to ensure child safety and to reduce or eliminate risk factors
• Work with students and their families to develop strategies (including referrals to outside agencies) for addressing the safety, emotional, and basic needs of the students and their families
• Serve as liaison and advocate between student, home, school, and community resources, such as family service agencies, mental health clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and clergy members
• Collaboration with Promise Academy Principals, school staff, and HCZ programs
• Provide counseling case coverage as needed
• Conduct home, agency, and community-based visits
• Provide feedback to teachers and administrators on how to best support caseload and non-caseload students
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems  
• Ensure quality assurance and the timely and accurate completion and submission of all required documentation
• Perform other duties as assigned

Schedule

• Monday-Friday, 8 AM - 4 PM
• Must be available for late-night coverage consultations until 6 PM Monday - Friday

Benefits

As a member of the Harlem Children's Zone team, you will join a supportive and inclusive community dedicated to helping children, families — and our staff — thrive. We offer highly competitive salaries, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for growth.

Our exceptional full-time benefits include: 

• Highly competitive base salaries
• Paid time off 
• Employee referral bonus 
• Career Advancement
• No-cost health insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short-and long-term disability
• Additional voluntary benefits
• Wellness discounts
• Commuter benefits
• Financial wellness perks
• Additional Benefits (Discounts on flights, hotels, theme parks, concert tickets, and more.)

The salary range for this position is $85,000-95,000 per year. To be considered, interested applicants can apply directly through the job posting. No telephone inquiries or recruiters, please. Replies will only be sent to qualified applicants. Harlem Children’s Zone is an EOE.