Site DescriptionThe Youth Services Center (YSC) is the District of Columbia's detention center for male and female youth, responsible for the care and custody of young people placed in secure detention by court order from the DC Superior Court Family Court Division.
Position OverviewThe Social Worker/Clinical Counselor provides trauma-informed mental health, behavioral, and social-emotional support services to students enrolled in a school located within a juvenile detention center. This position serves students ages 13-21, many of whom have experienced trauma, interrupted education, behavioral health challenges, involvement with multiple systems, and disabilities, including students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The Social Worker/Clinical Counselor plays a critical role in delivering individual counseling, behavioral intervention supports, crisis response, and school-wide social-emotional learning (SEL) programming within a secure setting.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Behavioral Support Services for Students with IEPsProvide behavioral support services for students receiving special education services. Collaborate with special education case managers and school services for students receiving special education services. Collaborate with special education case managers, school psychologists, teachers, and administrators to support implementation of IEP behavioral goals and accommodations. Support restorative and therapeutic approaches to student discipline and behavior intervention.
Individual Counseling & Mental Health SupportProvide individual counseling services to students experiencing emotional, behavioral, social, and mental health challenges. Conduct intake screenings, risk assessments, and ongoing student needs assessments. Develop individualized counseling goals aligned to student social-emotional and behavioral needs. Support students with emotional regulation, coping skills, conflict resolution, grief/loss, anger management, trauma recovery, and interpersonal skills. Maintain confidential counseling records and documentation in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and school policies. Collaborate with facility mental health staff, school staff, and outside providers to coordinate services and supports.
School-Wide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) ProgrammingDesign, coordinate, and implement school-wide SEL programming and initiatives aligned with the developmental and behavioral needs of detained youth. Facilitate SEL groups, psychoeducational workshops, and therapeutic skill-building sessions. Support the integration of SEL practices into classrooms and school culture.
Collaboration & School Support:Participate in IEP meetings, manifestation determination meetings, SST meetings, transition planning meetings, and re-entry planning processes.
Compliance and Reporting:Maintain timely and accurate records, case notes, service logs, progress reports, and required documentation. Ensure services comply with IDEA, FERPA, and all district and federal regulations. Participate in required professional development and staff training. Support data collection and reporting related to counseling services, behavioral interventions, and SEL initiatives.
Other Duties as Assigned:Tasks that may not directly align with your job description but are vital and serve to maintain a safe and effective teaching and learning environment for scholars and staff.
Qualifications- Master's degree in social work or mental health/community/school counseling. DC License is mandatory. If LGSW or LGPC, must have two years of working experience and be LICSW or LPC-eligible.
- OSSE certification is mandatory (within 1 year).
- Experience working in juvenile detention/secure facilities is preferred, but not mandatory.
- Experience working in community-based mental health, family health/mental health, and/or public school settings.
- Must have strong skills in documenting efforts and interventions.
- Must commit to working from a strength-based and/or youth development perspective.
Salary and BenefitsMaya Angelou Schools and See Forever Foundation salaries are comparable to those of other public charter schools in the District of Columbia area. In addition, we offer a robust benefits plan, including health care coverage, HSA/FSA and dependent care accounts, voluntary dental and vision, employer-paid short-term and long-term disability options, commuter benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan with employer contribution offered after 1 year of service, along with the opportunity to positively impact students with a broad range of experiences and backgrounds.
The pay range for this role is:
78,000 - 115,000 USD per year (MAA@ Youth Service Center)
