KIPP, the Knowledge Is Power Program, is a national network of free, open enrollment, college preparatory public schools dedicated to preparing students in underserved communities for success in college and life. There are 285 KIPP schools across the nation and the District of Columbia, serving more than 175,000 students and alumni with more than 15,000 educators. 

Founded in 2008 with 50 students in 5th grade, KIPP Columbus currently educates  2,000 students in grades Kindergarten through twelfth.  With a mission to, together with families and the community, create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose -- college, career, and beyond --  KIPP has maintained excellence in its growth, and will improve upon that standard – proving what is possible in public education.

KIPP Columbus continues to rank as one of the top schools for academic growth of any school in the state of Ohio, and is a top performing urban school in the state for academic growth. In our first three graduating classes (in spring 2020, 2021, and 2022) 100% of students were accepted to college and/or military service  with nearly $40 million in merit scholarships from colleges and universities awarded.

In addition to academic excellence, KIPP Columbus also partners with nearly 100 community organizations to provide extracurricular activities, programming, health and wellness services, meals, and more to KIPP students, families, and the broader community. KIPP is also a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, offering more than 10 varsity sports. 

The KIPP Columbus learning campus will continue to advance student learning, expand partnerships, enable superior programming, and serve as a teaching and leadership lab for schools nationwide, reimagining education through a deeper lens of antiracism, excellence, and joy as we expand to educate nearly 4,000 students on our learning campus in the coming years. 

Interested in learning more about our school?  Please check out our website: https://www.kippcolumbus.org/

The Opportunity

The School Social Worker will work directly with students, teachers, and families to provide individual and group counseling, as well as link families to long-term solutions and external support organizations.  The School Social Worker will report directly to the Director of Student Services.

Utilizing leadership, advocacy, and collaboration, the School Social Worker promotes student success, provides preventive services, conducts behavioral assessments and responds to student needs by implementing a comprehensive program that addresses academic, behavioral, career, and personal/social development for all students.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provide therapeutic service to students with IEPs, 504s, and general education students as needed
• Participate in the special education evaluation process for students with social-emotional and behavioral needs
• Write annual social-emotional or behavioral goals on student IEPs
• Facilitate the process of developing a student FBA/BIP 
• Case manage student behavioral health 504s 
• Facilitate crisis management services for students 
• Support school-based attendance interventions and initiatives
• Support school-based social-emotional programming interventions and initiatives
• Collaborate with community organizations  
• Provide support to KIPP Columbus families as needed
• Perform any duties assigned by the school leader

• Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and license with the State of Ohio (or ability to get license) required. 
• At least one year of supervised employment in the field of school social work with school-age children or one year of supervised field placement experience (accredited by the Council on Social Work Education) in a school mental health setting working with school-age children
• Training in clinical interventions and providing evidence-based therapy to youth and families
• Knowledge of special programs, guidance and scheduling preferred
• Knowledge of district policies and procedures related to special education and DIS services
• Ability to work as a part of multiple teams
• Knowledge of and experience with RTI/SST programs and interventions
• Demonstrated commitment to students’ wellbeing and learning
• Ability to connect with people from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds (including but not limited to homeless and LGBTQ youth)
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to multi-task and work within an ambiguous, fast-moving, start-up environment, while driving toward clarity and solutions
• Extreme flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities
• Experience working with underserved communities, families and/or students

Compensation and Benefits

At KIPP Columbus we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive with our compensation and benefits offered to our team.  This role follows our teacher salary scale linked here, with a starting salary of $50,000 with 1 year of experience.  We also offer appreciation stipends for those that have been a KIPP Columbus employee for 5 and 10 years.  

KIPP Columbus offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances as well various voluntary benefits (such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and participation in the Ohio SERS/STRS retirement plan.)  We also offer seasons of life support with 10 weeks paid maternity leave and 4 weeks paid spousal leave/adoption leave.  

Statement of Non-Disclosure

KIPP Columbus is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals applying to the school for consideration of any position (admission, employment, etc.). KIPP Columbus does not discriminate on the basis of disability, gender, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic that is contained in the definition of hate crimes set forth in Section 4112.02 of the Ohio Revised Code.