Job Description

Social Worker/School Counselor, Brooklyn, New York

In-Person Work Required

This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.

This is a leave replacement role at Excel Upper (located at 956 E 82nd St, Brooklyn) which would start on December 1st and go through June 1st

WHO WE ARE

Explore Schools is a network of public charter schools providing 1,700 students in Brooklyn with the outstanding education they deserve. Our goal is to provide students with curriculum and instruction that is both standards-aligned and culturally responsive. Our approach is designed to provide the conditions that nurture students as critical thinkers and natural problem-solvers.  As an organization we are committed to engaging in work that disrupts and roots out systems and structures that perpetuate white supremacy. We intentionally seek to build and maintain a diverse and talented team that reflects the backgrounds and experiences of our students and creates an inclusive environment for all employees.

WHAT WE BELIEVE

We believe that all children can learn when immersed in a rich environment full of high expectations, rigorous academics, and caring, committed adults. We believe equity and excellence are not mutually exclusive—we can meet the needs of all students in our schools, while actively engaging parents and driving toward excellent academic results. We believe it is both our privilege and responsibility to help close the opportunity gap in the Brooklyn community. 

WHO YOU ARE

Explore Schools seeks a dedicated and experienced Social Worker or School Counselor to join our culture and support teams. You are committed to student success and understand that students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development influence well-being and impact academic success. You possess a variety of appropriate tools and resources to guide students, families, and teachers towards individualized interventions. You have a strong record of identifying factors that may interfere with students’ achievement and proactively launching preventive measures. You are well-trained in relationship-building and communicating sensitive and direct information. Additionally, you possess the following qualities:

• Dedicated to working in communities that have historically been underserved and under-resourced
• Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to pedagogy and relationship-building with students and colleagues
• Experience providing targeted and individualized counseling to students
• Flexible - willingness to provide support as needed, and ability to provide strategic solutions when faced with changes
• Exceptional communication skills - you effectively provide sensitive and direct information
• Detail-oriented and highly organized
• New York State School Social Worker Certification, Clinical Social Worker license, Initial or Professional School Counselor Certificate, or Psychologist license (required)
• A Bachelor’s degree (required)
• 1-2 years of experience working in urban schools (required)
• Understanding of IEP mandates as it relates to school counseling (required)
• Experience with Special Education Student Information System (SESIS) (preferred)

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Social Workers and School Counselor work closely with students, families, and teachers to maintain a positive school culture characterized by three key qualities: students demonstrate a desire to succeed; adults demonstrate a belief in all students; and a sense of community is intentionally nurtured. As a School Social Worker or School Counselor, you will counsel students towards managing all non-instructional factors that influence student success – social, emotional, and behavioral services as needed. You will be expected to manage the following daily:

• Ensuring the safety of students at all times
• Providing individual and group counseling to at-risk and IEP students
• Participating in the IEP process for students including referrals, IEP development, and progress monitoring
• Creating, maintaining and overseeing behavior modification plans
• Providing case management services, such as managing contact and coordination with ACS as needed, conducting home visits, and providing referrals to community resources
• Providing trainings and workshops to teachers, school staff, and families
• Partnering with families to address issues such as chronic absenteeism, temporary housing, and crisis management
• Implementing anti-bullying, tolerance, health, and sex-ed programs
• Participating in the MTSS process
• Working with the school leadership team to ensure that students receive high-quality social-emotional learning throughout the school day
• Partnering with the School Culture Team to ensure social-emotional needs are met
• Administering and sharing results from informal assessments
• Keeping accurate & organized records of student information
• Actively engaging in identity work and necessary conversations in order to dismantle white supremacy culture
• This is a leave replacement role which would start on December 1st and go through June 1st

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Explore Schools offers our staff a competitive salary and generous benefits package. Our salary scale for this role has been established using an equity lens and is based on relevant years of experience, education, and NYS certification.

• Social Workers with a master's degree and between 0 – 10 years of experience can expect to receive an annualized base salary of $65,520 - $98,100 for the 2026-2027 school year.
• We believe Social Workers get better and are able to deepen their impact over time. Our scale for this role is designed to honor this, and we do not cap years of experience for an incoming Social Worker or School Counselor. Increases are offered each year based on your tenure.
• We also offer a variety of additional compensation opportunities including stipends for additional time worked and leadership opportunities, additional pay for specialized certifications, and more.
• The Recruitment team will be able to share more information about our additional compensation opportunities, along with where you will be placed on the scale during your first phone screen.

Additionally, you can expect:

• A competitive and comprehensive benefits plan, covering up to 95% of the cost for employees and their families. Other benefits include dental and vision plans, employer paid disability and life insurance, parental leave benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time and paid holidays, professional development, continuing education scholarships, referral bonuses, employee assistance program (EAP), childcare assistance, a 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching, and more!
• Flexible and reflective leadership: dedicated to staff development, team cohesion, and shared responsibility for decision-making, development, and team-wide priorities
• Driven and passionate colleagues who contribute to a professional and collaborative work environment
• Opportunities to sit on various committees and participate in initiatives central to key organizational decisions and strategic planning
• Our school-based staff also receive:
• Professional development: weekly PD, year-round retreats and trainings, and ongoing coaching by professionals
• Continued education support: staff are eligible to receive scholarship funds towards qualifying certification costs or higher education tuition
• A flexible work environment with the ability to choose your work location during non-student hours 1-3 days a week when possible, all within a structured 45-hour work week.

LOCATION AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Explore Schools is a network of 6 charter schools located in Canarsie, Crown Heights, and Flatbush communities of Brooklyn, NY. Our schools are currently operating fully in-person. For this position:

• In-person work is required
• This is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime.
• The standard work week is 45 hours, though at times you may work more. For non-exempt roles, employees are eligible for overtime for any work over 40 hours.
• This role requires that you be able to stand for at least 5 hours a day, take multiple trips up and down the stairs in a day, and be able to move quickly in an emergency.
• This role also requires that you be able to lift up to 15 pounds.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As discussed in our Who We Are section, Explore Schools is an equal opportunity employer. It is important to us that all staff members have a place of employment that is free of discrimination of all kinds and where staff can bring their authentic selves to work. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran, or military status. If any employee or applicant believes they have been discriminated against, they should let Tiffany Williams know immediately.