Social Worker

Job Summary
Social workers are responsible for supporting the school’s mission through providing effective support for students and teachers. The social worker will strive to ensure that all Hiawatha Academies scholars are empowered with the knowledge, character and leadership skills to graduate from college and serve the common good. The social worker will work alongside special education teachers, support staff, and under the guidance of the campus leadership team.

*Perform other duties as required and assigned

Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the Student  Support Team
• Foster a school climate that promotes respect and appreciation for all students staff and parents, and supports the school’s mission
• Build effective relationships among teachers, parents, and the community to maintain a positive school culture
• Exhibit a high degree of professionalism in all elements of this position
• Social/Emotional Counseling and Support
• Plan and conduct individual and group counseling sessions to address social/ emotional/ behavioral needs including: social skills development, gender identity development, grief counseling, relationship counseling, mental health care, emotional regulation, etc.
• Prepare and maintain a cumulative counseling record for each student
• Work with students who have school social work and/or social skills minutes as outlined in their IEPS and maintain current special education paperwork in compliance with due process requirements
• Manage mental health emergencies as outlined in school policy. Situations may include the need to utilize emergency services, contact Hennepin County Care and Protection, and coordinate outside mental health support services
• Participate in the development of crisis prevention and management plans for the school
• Report and refer critical incidents that jeopardize student well-being as obligated by law, administrative regulations, or ethical standards
• Stay apprised of all state regulations relating to incident reporting and documentation
• Serve as a resource to staff on supporting specific students in the classroom by modeling interventions and offering clinical insight, as well as identifying and reporting child abuse
• Act as a referral source to families for outside services which may include: outside therapy, health insurance, housing, legal advice, medical services, and utilities
• Collaborate with the Network Special Education Team to coordinate the scheduling and service provided by contracted therapists

Minimum Qualifications:  

• MN school social worker license (or ability to gain license)
• A minimum of 2 years of experience
• Explicit commitment to equitable mindsets and practices
• Knowledge of local services pertaining to child and family mental health and development
• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills and ability to build trust with colleagues and with students
• Ability to exercise excellent judgment in decision-making
• Adherence to the highest ethical standards
• A willingness to go above and beyond to do whatever it takes to ensure the highest level of service for our scholars
• Ability to navigate complex challenges with a results-oriented mindset
• Skill in the preparation and maintenance of accurate records and files
• Ability to perform appropriate crisis intervention involving student behavior

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bilingual (English, Spanish or Somali)
• Previous experience in school counseling

Compensation: The starting salary range for this position is $52,809 – $83,688 based on years of experience in an equivalent role. Salary will be prorated to the start date and based on FTE. Employees are paid bi-monthly.

Benefits: This position is benefit eligible the first of the month following the start date. Hiawatha Academies offers Medical, Dental and Life Insurance, Short-term and Long-Term Disability, an Employee Assistance Program and state pension retirement accounts. A generous contribution toward health and dental insurance is provided by the network. 

Why Hiawatha?
Hiawatha Academies is a network of college-preparatory schools focused on closing the opportunity gap in Minneapolis. We seek to create a K-12 school experience for scholars that empowers them with knowledge, character, and leadership skills. At Hiawatha Academies, we are committed to making our city and our world a more inclusive, equitable, and just place. 
Our equity vision: to honor the humanity of all people, we actively disrupt systemic inequity in pursuit of an equitable world.

Hiawatha Academies permanently disrupts educational inequity by ensuring a great school for every child. 

Core Value and Beliefs
All Hiawatha Staff must demonstrate a passionate belief in and commitment to the following core values:
1) Children are at the center of everything we do.
2) Our mission requires bold thought and action.
3) We choose optimism.
4) We push ourselves to improve.
5) We are stronger together.
6) We create fun and a little weirdness.
Perks: Professional Development is scheduled into the calendar year and provides a time for all campuses to come together and celebrate our success.  

Application Timeline: This Notice of Vacancy will be posted until filled.  

Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity
We believe that diversity is strength, and we are committed to maintaining an inclusive, multicultural network. We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome all qualified applicants.