Job Information
KIPP Colorado Social Worker at KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy (25/26) in Denver, Colorado
This role is for the 25/26 School Year!
About the Social W orker Role: The Social Worker provides services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of KIPP Colorado students. The Social Worker will work with students to set social emotional goals and will develop differentiated plans for supporting the students in meeting these goals. They will create a schedule for meeting with individual students and groups of students and monitor and share out student progress. The social worker will also ensure that we are in compliance regarding social emotional services mandated by students’ Individualized Education Plans.
About KIPP: Together with families and communities, KIPP creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose—college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world. KIPP is a national network of tuition-free, public charter schools open to all students. There are 255 college-preparatory KIPP schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia, serving more than 100,000 students. Nationally, KIPP students are graduating four-year colleges at three times the national average for low-income students.
Who we are: KIPP Colorado Public Schools is a network of six free college-preparatory public charter schools open to all students. Our 350-person staff educates 2,600 students from ECE to 12th grade. At KIPP Colorado, we partner with our KIPPsters, educators, families and communities to ensure that we are all united around the goal of a choice-filled future for our KIPPsters. Our KIPP Forward Team supports our 1,000+ high school Alumni as they create their own paths. Our core values of excellence, belonging, belief, advocacy and courage are central to who we are and how we operate at all levels of our organization.
What we do: We believe in the unique gifts and brilliance of every student. We believe in setting a high bar for joy and academic excellence to ensure the infinite possibilities our students have before them become a reality. We aspire to create and reinforce a culture of achievement, belonging and support. We know that every student is different and we personalize learning based on a student's needs, skills, and interests.
Role Responsibilities and More About How You'll Spend Your Time in this Role
Professional Responsibilities
Believe deeply in the mission, values, and Race, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity (RIDE) commitments of KIPP Colorado Schools and that all children can and will learn
Assume personal responsibility for student achievement
Read, internalize, and adhere to the KIPP Colorado Policies and Procedures manual and guidelines
Providing an active presence, strategic supervision, and intentional monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning (regardless of my role and its proximity to students)
Take ownership for the development of your craft (meet 1x/1-2 weeks with a manager, implement feedback, engage in active practice, etc.)
Commit to being prepared. Such as; internalizing and preparing for lessons; preparing for O3s/coaching, preparing for meetings, coaching, PD, etc
Meet professional obligations including and not limited to meeting deadlines and honoring schedules
Consistently leverage existing professional tools, including but not limited to Google Suite (google documents, etc.) and Microsoft Suite (including but not limited to your KIPP Colorado email, Teams chat / meetings, Teams phone, and Microsoft outlook)
Maintain strong attendance each day and be on time to all responsibilities
Collaborate with colleagues and seek feedback in the spirit of continuous improvement
Reflect on professional practices to meet individual professional development goals
Actively participate in professional development, grade level, and department meetings
Actively engage and implement in all school-wide and Org wide professional development
Serve as a positive, contributing member of a grade team or functional team, collaborating with colleagues to tackle common challenges and implement org and grade-wide initiatives.
Share candid, solutions-oriented feedback with peers and leadership on a regular basis, assuring that feedback is shared directly with the intended recipient. Ensure that feedback is focused on improving outcomes and experiences for students
Assist with both student and staff recruitment and engagement- including events, home visits, calls home, and other determined and related requirements
Your role, professional development, org wide meetings, etc may require you to travel around Denver to other KIPP Campuses, our Home Office, or other KIPP or PD events
Other duties as assigned (such as but not limited to, lunch duty, arrival/dismissal duty, bathroom duty, school support duties, etc.)
Evaluation and Services
Develops and executes needs assessments in the first month of school year
Uses a variety of appropriate formal and informal tools and techniques including observations and interviews to evaluate the progress and performance of KIPPsters and their families
Provides services to students in one-on-one and small group counseling sessions
Collaborates with school team to determine the services needed for each student, based on their IEP goals and requirements, their personal goals, and other school-based goals for their learning and development
Use knowledge and understanding of how the home, school, and community influence one another to intervene for KIPPster success through such practices as assessment, crisis intervention, home visits, conflict resolution, individual and group counseling, consultation, program development, dropout prevention, college counseling and graduation awareness
Promote family support of KIPPsters learning experience within the context of multicultural understanding and competencies
Develops and provides training programs that address school goals and mission.
Engage in individual and school safety implementation, including prevention, assessment/intervention for KIPPsters at-risk of harm to self or others, child abuse reporting and crisis response
Advocacy
Advocate and facilitate change that effectively responds to the needs of KIPPsters, families and KIPP Colorado network using appropriate statutes, case law, policies, and procedures
Assist KIPPsters and their families to gain access to formal and informal community resources
Consultation and Collaboration
Consult with community members, families, and KIPP school staff to facilitate an understanding of factors in the home and community that impact KIPPsters’ educational experiences
Consult on issues as attendance, diversity, mental health, behavior management, delinquency, crisis intervention, homelessness, child abuse, neglect, and the importance of confidentiality
Initiate and support activities to overcome institutional barriers and gaps in services as a participant of interdisciplinary teams in accordance with the school mission and with the unique contribution of bringing the KIPP staff, home, KIPP school and community perspective to the KIPP interdisciplinary process
Work with internal and external individuals, groups, and organizations to develop programs or systems of care that support and enhance the health, social and emotional well-being, and safety of all KIPPsters and staff
Promote collaboration among community health and mental health service providers and facilitates KIPPster access to these services
Orient community providers to KIPP school climate, and the community
Actively participate on RTI/problem-solving teams, such as KIPPster intervention teams, discipline support teams
Track student attendance rates
Lead collaboration with Grade Chairs to take preventative and responsive action toward maintaining a 95% average daily attendance rate
Program Planning, Implementation and Evaluation
Effectively plan, implement and evaluate KIPP programs that promote KIPPster and family success
Apply knowledge of environmental factors in planning programs
Conduct individual and/or KIPP school-wide assessments and surveys to assess the school and/or the community needs
Assist the KIPP school in planning programs that alleviate situations, which may interfere with the learning process of KIPPsters
Assist in the evaluation of effective school-based programs
Accountability
Advocate, facilitate and contribute to school social worker accountability in terms of the local, state and federal policies
Adhere to the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics and Standards for School Social Work
Evaluate own practice to maximize the effectiveness of services and resources provided to the KIPPsters, families and school
Maintain up-to-date documentation and records
Organize time and workload in order to meet responsibilities
Participate in all KIPP professional development opportunities as well as opportunities that work to directly improve knowledge and skills in job performance
Student Support Team
Lead attendance team in identifying and tracking interventions for KIPPsters who are struggling in school
Oversee RTI/attendance team so that RTI and attendance concerns are addressed in a systematic and efficient manner
Additional Responsibilities
Participate in active presence and strategic supervision and monitoring to ensure student safety and engagement in rigorous learning
Partner with the Assistant Principal of Special Services and Special Education Teachers to ensure proper implementation of 504s, BIPs, IEPs, safety plans, accommodations, modification, and language support for students
Enforce positive behavior systems
Attend designated school functions outside of school hours (Back to School Night, Report Card Conferences, Community Events, etc.)
Perform necessary support duties including (but not limited to) bus, lunch, and dismissal duties,chaperone field trips. Participate in parent meetings, conferences, and periodic evening events
Develop strong relationships with the families of students through home visits, participation in school events and phone calls home
Communicate regularly with families about academic progress and behavior
Participate in daily duties (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dismissal) to support school operations
Maintain accurate records, and data tracking systems
Assist with both student and staff recruitment
Role Level Specifics, Scope of Work, and Level of Responsibility: For more about how you’ll lead at this level, please visit the KIPP Colorado Role Levels Matrix (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cEtOT1-MSF0gA23ooBnOdMmFia2Ydhs-L8sbF-HlFiE/edit#gid=0) (this is an internal document, only)
About the skills and qualifications you will bring to this role:
Masters Degree in Social Work (required)
Spanish bilingual (preferred)
Colorado Department of Education Special Service Provider License with a Social Worker endorsement (required)
LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) (preferred)
Previous school social work experience (preferred)
At least 2 years of teaching experience (highly preferred but not required)
Ability to work during after-school, evening, and weekend meetings and events at the school (required)
A full understanding and Commitment to an Exceptional Student Experience (more about that HERE (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nt5ApJai3YVG8amLVNeer2ZCzVxkEwiK/view?usp=sharing) ) (required)
Commitment to and experience with youth of various cultural and economic backgrounds
Outstanding organizational skills and high attention to detail; outstanding written and oral communication skills
Ability to manage the ambiguity and multiple priorities inherent in an entrepreneurial environment
Proactive problem solver who demonstrates initiative and teamwork
Strong work ethic coupled with an enthusiastic and passionate approach to one’s work
Multi-faceted, multi-skilled, resourceful and willing to do whatever it takes to help the school reach a level of academic excellence
High level of detail orientation and sound excellent organizational skills
Strong communication, feedback and facilitation skills
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative
Entrepreneurial mindset, with the creativity and versatility to work productively in a fast-paced environment
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment with a proven ability to meet and complete multiple deadlines and tasks with meticulous attention to detail
Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to develop productive working relationships with stakeholders across functional and organizational lines
Passionate commitment to KIPP Colorado mission and to high standards of excellence
Compensation and Benefits: Employee retention and satisfaction is imperative for KIPP Colorado. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits including the following:
Competitive Market Salary: Starting salary for this role begins at $67,700 and is commensurate with experience. (Note: salary schedules for 25/26 are not yet available. If offered a position for the 25/26 school year the offer letter salary will be adjusted at a later date for the upcoming year)
Please submit a comprehensive resume to assure all your experience is accounted for! Tip: We don't care if your resume is more than one page, we are eager to see and compensate you for all of your experience and accomplishments.
Excellent Healthcare Plan: 100% of employee-only monthly premium paid by KIPP Colorado and options for family enrollment and coverage, through United Healthcare.
Time Off!!!: More than 6 weeks of annual vacation and Paid Time Off (PTO)
Based on hire date, employees are eligible for up to 8 days of Paid Time Off (PTO)
All employees receive summer break through an organization-wide closure, based on work location and position
Access to parental and medical leave: includes 6 weeks paid and 6 weeks unpaid for a total of 12 weeks (after your first year)
Career Trajectory: Access to opportunity to move up, across schools, and grow your career during weekly coaching sessions to refine your craft
Mental Health Care: Immediate and ongoing access to mental health support through our Employee Assistance Program
Technology & Access: Equipment provided: laptop & phone
Retirement Planning: Participation in the Colorado PERA retirement program (https://www.copera.org/) , including a PERA 401k option
Move to Join Us: Relocation reimbursement (when applicable)
Additional Pay: Most schools offer various stipend opportunities
Other Insurance Options:
Wellness reimbursement
Voluntary employee, spousal, and child life insurance
Voluntary long term disability insurance
Voluntary short term disability insurance
Optional Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
Additional Information: For more information, you can view our benefits FAQ here (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hq0WHovkTFLdL58exzvZHrLfPiJXd2ny/view)
KIPP Colorado Schools is dedicated to equal employment opportunities and fair labor practices. KIPP Colorado Schools, KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, KIPP Northeast Denver Middle School, KIPP Northeast Elementary, KIPP Northeast Denver Leadership Academy, KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy and KIPP Sunshine Peak Elementary provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications, and the ability to perform a job without regard to race, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, legally protected medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, or on any other basis made unlawful by federal, state or local laws. It is our policy to maintain a non-discriminatory environment free from intimidation, harassment or bias based upon these grounds.
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