School Social Worker

Now Hiring: School Social Worker

Freedom Side School is opening a free abolitionist elementary school in Philadelphia for young freedom fighters! We will open our doors and welcome our first class of students and families in the fall of 2026. We are currently seeking applicants for the role of School Social Worker.

You can learn more about Freedom Side School’s vision, mission, values, and team at www.freedomsideschool.org. To submit your application please use this form. If you have any questions about the position or the application, please reach out to hiring@freedomsideschool.org.

Hiring Timeline

• Applications will be accepted until Monday March 9th.
• First round 30-minute zoom interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
• Invitations for finalist round in-person interviews will be sent by March 23rd.
• We hope to extend an offer for this position by mid-May.
• The start date for this role will be in August with 3-4 weeks of dedicated in-service and onboarding before our first day of school.

Job Description

The School Social Worker will serve as a key member of the Teaching and Learning Team, and will be supervised by the Director of Teaching and Learning. This role involves providing direct support to both children and their caregivers, in coordination and collaboration with FSS staff and outside providers. .

Key Skills and Qualifications for this Role:

• Experience as a child therapist, and/or school counselor, and/or school social worker
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed care and early childhood development
• Familiarity with the impacts of incarceration on children and families, understanding of the Pennsylvania carceral system is a plus
• Case management experience and familiarity with the landscape of available services for children and caregivers in Philadelphia
• Ability to work collaboratively with teachers and other student support professionals
• Strong relational skills
• Master’s degree in social work and LCSW certification

Key Responsibilities for this Role:

Social Work

• Case management
• Student and family counseling
• Coordinating outside services for families
• Conducting occasional home visits as needed

Programming

• Develop programming for and facilitate SEL skill groups
• Facilitate family programming for Freedom Side Commons
• Facilitate restorative practices and conflict resolution

Student Support

• Manage Freedom Side School pull out space
• Work with teachers to create accessible classrooms
• Work with families, students, and teachers on learning plans

We are seeking applicants who…

• Are aligned with Freedom Side’s vision, mission and values
• Are aligned with and can carry out Freedom Side’s Community Commitments.
• Live and are rooted in the Philadelphia area, who are willing to work in-person in Philadelphia
• Are committed to sticking with Freedom Side School through our founding years
• Are comfortable with consensus-based decision-making processes or are willing to learn
• Can work collaboratively on a team of staff and volunteers, are able to take feedback and show up with integrity and accountability
• Are comfortable working collaboratively as a part of a small team
• Are able to take initiative and self-direct their work, and to ask for help when needed
• Are available to work a flexible schedule (occasional evening and weekend meetings)

We are prioritizing candidates who…

• Are directly impacted by mass incarceration, including candidates who are formerly incarcerated or have incarcerated loved ones
• Have experience in the anti-prison and/or abolition movement
• Have community organizing experience or are willing to learn

• 5% salary increase each fiscal year
• Employer paid health, vision, dental insurance
• Available retirement savings with 3% employer match
• FSS observes about 50 days of paid organizational closures a year, mostly aligned with academic calendar breaks, including planned winter, spring, and summer breaks
• Both full time and part time staff are given personal PTO to be used at their discretion