<p>Social Worker Job Description</p> <p>Visit www.steelcityacademy.org to learn more about Steel City Academy and apply for the role. Please contact Executive Director, Katie Kirley, directly with any questions about the role (katie.kirley@steelcityacademy.org).</p> <p>Overview of Steel City Academy</p> <p>Steel City Academy is an A-rated, community-embedded K-12 charter school that was designed in partnership with the community to offer a new narrative of what's possible for the students and families of Gary. At Steel City, we prioritize safety, human connection, and learning with individualized attention and support in an environment where parents trust us with their children. Students access rigorous curriculum and high-quality instruction with teachers who believe in them and are equipped with the support, coaching, and resources to be their best selves.</p> <p>We expose students to the world through transformative experiences while maintaining our pride, commitment, and impact in Gary. We leverage our team and community partners to ensure every student has what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. A model for high-quality public education, Steel City redefines expectations, delivers results, and provides children and families in Gary with the school they deserve.</p> <p>Managerial Structure</p> <p>The Social Worker reports directly to the Assistant Principal and collaborates with the Senior Leadership Team teachers, families, and community partners.</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>The Social Worker is responsible for providing wraparound services to support student success, strengthening family engagement, and building systems of support through community partnerships. This position plays a critical role in ensuring that all students-particularly those facing barriers such as housing insecurity, trauma, or mental health needs-are able to fully participate and thrive in our school community.</p> <p>The Social Worker also serves as the McKinney-Vento liaison, ensuring compliance with federal requirements and connecting families experiencing homelessness with resources that remove barriers to education.</p> <p>Primary Responsibilities</p> <p>Responsibilities include but are not limited to:</p> <p>Student & Family Support</p> <ul> <li>Provide individual and small-group counseling to students to support social-emotional development, attendance, and overall well-being. </li><li>Collaborate with teachers and staff to design and implement Tier 2 and Tier 3 behavioral interventions. </li><li>Serve as the McKinney-Vento liaison, ensuring timely identification of eligible students and providing appropriate services and referrals. </li><li>Partner with families to strengthen their engagement in the school community and address barriers to student attendance, academic success, and participation. </li><li>Drive the implementation of attendance initiatives to achieve 95%+ daily student attendance, with targeted strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism. </li><li></li></ul> <p>Community Partnerships & Wraparound Services</p> <ul> <li>Develop, manage, and sustain partnerships with community-based organizations to provide wraparound services for students and families (e.g., mental health, food, housing, clothing, and enrichment resources). </li><li>Coordinate onsite and offsite community resources, ensuring that families receive seamless access to needed supports. </li><li>Represent Steel City Academy at community events, coalitions, and resource networks to expand opportunities for students and families. </li><li></li></ul> <p>School Culture & Systems</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate with the Assistant Principal to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment. </li><li>Support the design and execution of school-wide rituals, routines, and celebrations that foster joy, belonging, and student success. </li><li>Lead a student "Squad" advisory group to foster academic growth and support social-emotional well-being. </li><li>Contribute to school-wide duties that promote student supervision, reinforce positive culture, and strengthen the sense of community. </li></ul> <p>Qualifications: Values and Mindsets</p> <ul> <li>Purpose: Driven to play a unique role in improving the city we love. </li><li>Team: Embraces one another's distinct strengths, growing and winning together. </li><li>Grit: Finds resilience and solutions in the face of adversity and obstacles. </li><li>Accountability: Owns actions and supports others in meeting their full potential. </li><li>Joy: Reflects enthusiasm and positivity in all interactions. </li><li>Gratitude: Appreciates every effort made to help students and families thrive. </li><li></li></ul> <p>Qualifications: Skills</p> <ul> <li>Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with students, families, staff, and community partners. </li><li>Ability to design, implement, and monitor systems of support for students and families. </li><li>Exceptional organizational skills with attention to detail and follow-through. </li><li>Capacity to manage multiple priorities independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment. </li><li>Familiarity with restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive approaches. </li><li>Proficiency with MS Office, Google Workspace, and willingness to learn school-specific data systems. </li><li></li></ul> <p>Qualifications: Education and Prior Experience</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field required; Master's degree in Social Work strongly preferred. </li><li>Current Indiana licensure (LSW, LCSW, or equivalent) preferred. </li><li>3-5 years of relevant school-based or youth-serving experience strongly preferred. </li><li>Experience coordinating community partnerships and serving in compliance-focused liaison roles (e.g., McKinney-Vento, Title I) is a plus. </li><li></li></ul> <p>Work Demands</p> <ul> <li>Flexibility to work outside of typical school hours to meet student and family needs. </li><li>Ability to attend school events, community meetings, and professional development opportunities. </li><li>Successful completion of a criminal background check as required by law. </li><li></li></ul> <p>Benefits and Salary</p> <p>Salary for this position is competitive and depends on prior experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.</p> <p>Anti-Discrimination Policy and Commitment to Diversity</p> <p>Steel City Academy seeks individuals of all religious, ethnic, and racial backgrounds, and sexual and gender identities to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort.</p> <p>Employee Benefits Overview</p> <p>Time</p> <ul> <li>Balanced Calendar: Steel City believes in creating a balanced calendar that prevents burnout for both our staff and students. This results in longer Fall, Spring and Winter Breaks as well as the famous Steel City Sprinkle Weekends- intentionally placed three-four day weekends throughout the school year. </li><li>Paid Time Off: All Steel City, full time salaried employees accrue paid time off throughout the year in the following categories. </li><li>Personal: All employees earn and accrue three personal days per year. </li><li>Sick: All employees earn and accrue two sick days per year. </li><li>Vacation: Calendar year employees can earn up to fifteen additional vacation days annually. </li><li>Jury Duty: Steel City employees summoned for jury duty, or subpoenaed to testify as a witness, will be granted the necessary time off upon furnishing proof of such written notice to serve. Absences for jury or witness duty are not deducted from any leave allowance. Full-time employees will be paid their regular salary up to ten (10) business days of jury duty. </li><li>FMLA: Steel City Academy will provide Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave to its eligible employees. </li><li>Holiday: Steel City observes the following holidays for salaried employees throughout the year. Additional holidays are determined by your employment category. (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Election Day*, Veteran's Day, Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, Week between Christmas and New Years Day) </li><li>Bereavement: Steel City employees are eligible for bereavement leave for a certain amount of days based upon the relationship. </li><li>Professional Development Days: Steel City academic year employees receive up to three job embedded professional development days per year. </li></ul> <p>Retirement</p> <ul> <li>401k Program: Steel City employees can participate in a 401k Retirement plan with The Standard (formerly Securian). Steel City will contribute up to a 5% match. </li></ul> <p>Insurance</p> <ul> <li>Health Insurance: Steel City offers UnitedHealthCare health insurance for all full time employees. Staff members have the opportunity to opt into either a Health Savings Account (HSA) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). Steel City pays 80% of all premiums for all employees and dependents. The employee pays for 20% of premiums that are deducted at a pre-tax basis from payroll. </li><li>Dental Insurance: Steel City offers Principal Dental insurance for all full time employees. Steel City pays 50% of all premiums for all employees and dependents. The employee pays for 50% of premiums that are deducted at a pre-tax basis from payroll. </li><li>Vision Coverage: Steel City offers Principal vision insurance for all full time employees. The employee pays for 100% of premiums that are deducted at a pre-tax basis from payroll. </li><li>Disability, Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D): Steel City employees working 30+ hours per week, are automatically enrolled in short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance immediately upon hire. </li><li>Workers' Compensation: Steel City pays for a comprehensive workers' compensation policy for all employees. Employees are entitled to benefits, if, while carrying out activities for the benefit of their employer, they suffer an injury by accident, a "specific traumatic incident", resulting in a hernia or back injury, or an occupational disease. </li><li>Supplemental Insurance: Steel City offers a comprehensive partnership with AFLAC for staff who are interested in acquiring supplemental insurance policies. </li></ul> <p>Salary and Additional Revenue Opportunities</p> <ul> <li>Salary: Steel City provides a competitive step and ladder salary scale for employees. The compensation scales are available upon request. </li><li>Performance Based Bonuses: Steep City employees are eligible to receive up to two bonuses per semester. </li></ul> <p>Additional Revenue: Steel City employees are eligible to receive various stipends: extracurriculars, talent team, after school tutoring, additional teaching sections and more.</p>