Who We Are
Since its founding in 2010 Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway Queens. We currently serve over 1200 scholars from Kindergarten to 12th grade across 3 sites. Our schools mission is to prepare students from the greater Far Rockaway community to excel academically to demonstrate mastery of the NY State Learning Standardsand to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual aesthetic social emotionaland ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe supportive technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence authentic field experiences career counseling and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.
Who We Are
Since its founding in 2010 Challenge Preparatory Charter School (Challenge Prep) has provided students and families with a successful academic program in Far Rockaway Queens. Our schools mission is to prepare students from the greater Far
Rockaway community to excel academically to demonstrate mastery of the NYS Learning Standards and to achieve their career aspirations. Challenge cultivates and supports the intellectual aesthetic social emotional and ethical development of its students and prepares them to be responsible 21st century citizens. To accomplish its mission Challenge offers a rigorous instructional program in a safe supportive technology-infused and data-enriched and social-emotional learning sequence authentic field experiences career counseling and college coursework. It is understood that we are one organization with multiple sites and it is expected that all members of the team collaborate to support all of our scholars.
Understanding the Role
The Social Worker will work with all constituencies of the school community their assigned grade span (i.e. 6-8 or 9-12) to create an environment of social-emotional support for every scholar. The Social Worker responsibilities include providing information to students parents and school staff counseling scholars with personal and psychological issues and addressing relevant issues in the school such as school attendance behavioral and social adjustment issues. The Social Worker should have an understanding of child development psychopathology social and environmental conditioning cultural diversity and family systems. They should also have the knowledge skills and processes for effective casework practice and the understanding of the School Social Work profession which includes associated laws (IDEA ADA compulsory attendance ethical issues professional issues standards foundations of school psychology and the role and function of the Social Worker). This role reports directly to the Director of Pupil and Personnel Services and is supported by the Principal of their grade span.
Overall Job Goals and Responsibilities:
The staff of Challenge Preparatory School is committed to teaching scholars the values of scholarship respect honesty courage and balance in a collaborative technology-infused inclusive family-like environment. It is the responsibility of the Social Worker to:
Help scholars cope with personal and psychological issues that affect their school performance behavior and socialization
Provide information for and/or referrals to outside support services or agencies to help scholars deal with social emotional economic or physical challenges
Assess scholar independent functioning skills toward possible referrals to outpatient treatment/counseling/support options
Assess possible abuse and neglect cases to appropriate emergency intervention organizations
Assist teachers and administrators in dealing with behavioral or attitude issues by communicating with scholars to find the causes of their distress
Develop and implement professional development training for educational staff and parents as requested
Provide comprehensive school social work services to parents students and school staff addressing barriers that limit students from receiving the full benefit from their educational experience
Review scholar records to identify previous barriers and/or interventions such as behavior and attendance
Conduct parent interviews to acquire socio-developmental information as needed for special education referrals
Analyze information gained through record reviews and interviews to determine environmental impacts and appropriate resource needs; integrate gained information into a written report and oral presentation
Attend and participate in Manifestation meetings
Interview students and parents to discuss issues related to non-attendance and develop a plan of action
Assist the school in following school board regulations for excessive absences and truancy; attend student support team meetings and court intervention
Provide individual and/or group counseling in response to school-wide crisis
Respond to referrals requesting verification of residence
Participate in professional development activities aimed at current trends and best practices for the provision of comprehensive school social work services
Conduct home visits as a method to access the family and conduct interviews in response to school referrals
Maintain an ongoing liaison with community agencies and other resources to meet student needs
Refer parents and scholars to agencies when appropriate
Any additional responsibilities assigned by Administration
Who We Seek
We will consider candidates who demonstrate:
Commitment to and alignment with CPCS mission vision program goals and curriculum
Committed to thoughtfully engaging in identity work necessary to take a culturally responsive approach to social work and relationship-building with scholars and colleagues
You possess an exceptional level of patience and focus to overcome challenges and achieve results
Strong classroom management skills: you can set high expectations in the classroom and keep scholars engaged
Classroom presence: you are clear and precise when sharing new content with students and can effectively lead students through inquiry-based class discussions
In-person and written communication with parents families scholars staff and community
Detail-oriented and highly organized
Ability to adapt to unforeseen situations
Requirements
Bachelors degree required
Masters degree in Social Work preferred
NYS Certification in Social Work
Experience in an urban school setting and working with students in their grade spans age group
Strong collaboration and teamwork skills
School Sites
Grades 6-8: 15-20 Central Avenue Far Rockaway NY 11691
Grades 9-12: 15-20 Central Avenue Far Rockaway NY 11691
Selection Process
Phase I - Virtual Interview with the HR Recruiter
Phase II - Demo Panel Interview and Interview with the Senior Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning 6-12
Final - Reference Check Offer and Contract
Work Year
This full-time position begins in mid-August and goes through the end of June.
An Equal Opportunity Employer
Challenge Charter School is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race religion color national origin gender sexual orientation age marital status veteran status or disability status. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive community particularly in the Far Rockaway area and committed to educating students. We welcome all applicants who share our mission and vision to join us in our relentless work. Challenge Charter School offers a full benefits program and opportunities for professional growth. Learn more about our mission team and the exciting things happening at Challenge by visiting