Social Workers provide school-based mental health services to scholars facing social, emotional, and attendance issues. They also collaborate with school personnel and community agencies to develop and implement support plans for scholars.
Requirements summary
Candidates must have a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a valid clinical social worker license or registration. Prior experience in a school setting and a California Pupil Personnel Services credential are preferred.
ABOUT ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit public charter school networks in the nation, operating 25 high-performing, middle and high schools that educate nearly 13,000 scholars who make up the heart of Los Angeles’ Latinx, Black, and recent immigrant communities.
Alliance schools have been recognized as among the best in the nation by U.S.
News & World Report, Newsweek, the U.S.
Department of Education, and the California Department of Education.
Since opening our first school in 2004, 95% of Alliance scholars have graduated from high school.
We strive to uplift our scholars and their communities by fostering unparalleled educational opportunities that encourage scholarly thought, resilient learning, powerful communication, mind-body wellness, and community advocacy.
To learn more, visit www.LAalliance.org.
For current vacancies by location, please click here.
ROLE SUMMARY Social Workers provide school-based mental health services to scholars who experience difficulties in educational achievement because of social, emotional, adjustment, and/or attendance issues.
Social Workers also run groups with a variety of scholars and other stakeholders, and seek to secure a long-term solution to mental and emotional disorders and a wide variety of relationship issues.
Social Workers provide direct clinical and case management services to scholars and parents, provide consultation and in-service training to school site personnel, and develop plans to improve scholars’ well-being that include follow-up procedures and evaluation targets.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Serve as liaison between school, scholar, home, and community mental health and social service agency services.
Conduct intakes, mental health screenings, treatment plans, ongoing individual mental health counseling services, and progress monitoring for scholars.
Participate in and contribute recommendations related to scholar social-emotional or behavioral functioning in meetings such as Student Support and Progress Team (SSPT), Cultural Team, Social Emotional or Mental Health Support Team, and Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings.
May provide Special Education Direct Instructional Services (DIS), Counseling and Educationally Related Intensive Counseling Services (ERICS), develop Present Levels of Performance (PLPs) summaries, SMART goals, and track services in Welligent.
Benefits
Paid Holidays
Health Insurance
Professional Development
Retirement Options
Leave
Collaborate with the site Culture team around Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) implementation, fostering a trauma-informed, resilience-focused, and anti-racist culture, mental health and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) initiatives across tiers, Student Support and Progress Team (SSPT) meetings, and crisis planning.
Develop, coordinate, and deliver training to staff, parents, and scholars based on needs identified in data, such as the Panorama SEL survey results.
Consult with teachers, administrators, and other staff regarding the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of scholars to evaluate and make recommendations in developing and implementing an appropriate support plan.
Promote and educate scholars on life skills, coping skills, and relationship-building.
Plan, prepare, and conduct outreach projects to increase scholars’ and parents’ awareness of available social services through the Network, other public agencies, and private organizations.
Provide and/or coordinate presentations for scholars, families, and staff focused on mental health awareness and promoting emotional wellness for the school, family, and community.
Conduct suicide risk assessments and serve as a key member for school-wide crisis response and management, as well as individual or group crisis intervention and prevention.
Maintain accurate, timely, and appropriate documentation (i.e., caseload logs, case notes, service log notes, Risk Assessment/DCFS logs, and reports).
Participate in ongoing professional growth opportunities to keep current with trends and practices in the field, including those offered through the Home Office.
Attend and participate in group, triad, or individual clinical supervision weekly and remain in good standing with the CA BBS.
Supervise Social Worker interns as appropriate.
Perform additional related duties as assigned.
IDEAL CANDIDATES Belief: Hold the belief that all scholars, regardless of their economic or social demographics, deserve a quality education and can earn a four-year college degree.
Social Justice: Desire to work in systemically underserved communities in Los Angeles and be a part of Alliance’s social justice mission by integrating anti-racist, pro-Black, student-centered instruction.
Culture
Demonstrate an ability to develop a positive, achievement-oriented, supportive, and collaborative culture of high expectations that motivates and inspires scholars to learn at college-preparatory levels.
Data
Know how to use data, technology (such as Welligent), and innovative methods to monitor scholar progress and prepare all scholars to succeed in life after high school.
Expertise
Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, reporting requirements, policies, and procedures governing social work practice, as well as knowledge of principles and practices of social casework. Thrive in an environment of high expectations and collaboration.
Mindset
Hold a growth mindset and commit to continuously honing their craft.
Relationship-Building: Have strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills with both children and adults. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from an accredited college or university. A valid license as a clinical social worker issued by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences OR immediate registration as an Associate Clinical Social Worker upon the date of hire. Must remain in good standing with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences for the duration of the waivers permitted by law, not to exceed six years.
Preferred
Prior experience working in a school setting.
Preferred
California Pupil Personnel Services credential in School Social Work. If you hold this credential, please include a copy with your application. BENEFITS In alignment with our commitment to equity for our scholars, Alliance is dedicated to promoting equity and transparency within our team, offering competitive salaries commensurate with experience, as well as generous retirement and health benefits. This position is Exempt. We strive to be the best employer possible by offering excellent benefits for our employees and their families. Please click HERE for more information about our health benefits, retirement options, as well as our paid holidays and leave.
Professional
Development: At Alliance, we believe in supporting school leadership growth and providing substantial school-based and network-wide professional development support.
Leadership
Opportunities: Leadership opportunities are extensive at Alliance, and those interested in growing their leadership skills are invited to join our Emerging Leader Cadre program.
Recognition
The Counseling & Wellness Provider of the Year provides special recognition and compensation to a provider who demonstrates their dedication and exceptional ability to engage scholars. COMPENSATION $87,000.00 - $138,550.00 APPLICATION PROCESS Interested candidates should submit an application. If you advance to the next step, you will be contacted for a phone screen and/or interview. Only candidates who advance will be contacted. If you would like to view the progress of your application, you can log in to your Candidate Home Account by signing in at the top right of our jobs page. Unfortunately, we are not able to sponsor or support applicants on visas at this time or in the foreseeable future. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION Alliance College-Ready Public Schools is dedicated to fostering an inclusive, anti-racist, pro-Black community that celebrates diversity, equity, and the unique identities of all scholars and staff. Nearly two-thirds of our teachers and administrators identify as people of color, reinforcing our commitment to representation and the power of diverse role models. We recognize the richness of the cultures and communities we serve, and we believe that embracing and empowering these identities is essential to the success and pride of our scholars. Working at Alliance means joining a movement to drive transformative change, nurture resilience, and build lifelong, meaningful connections with scholars and their communities.
Champion
Alliance’s
Anti-Racist,
Pro-Black
Mission: The strongest candidates will bring a commitment to Alliance’s mission of building an anti-racist, pro-Black community that prioritizes the success and well-being of Black and Brown scholars. Candidates should have a passion for promoting equity through anti-racist, student-centered teaching practices that celebrate racial and cultural identities. This role is rooted in service to systemically underserved communities in Los Angeles, helping scholars graduate “college-ready” with pride in who they are. This job description is subject to change at any time based on the evolving needs of the organization. Alliance College-Ready Public Schools are tuition-free public charter schools that do not discriminate against any scholar, parent, community member, or staff member based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Alliance College-Ready Public Schools requires that all team members complete a LiveScan background check and TB clearance. Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people tend to only apply when they match every criterion. If you think you meet some of the qualifications, but don't necessarily check every box in the job description, we encourage you to still apply. If you have questions contact the Talent Acquisition Team at joinus@laalliance.org. Serving Los Angeles County since 2004, Alliance College-Ready Public Schools was founded on the belief that all children are capable of learning and achieving at high levels – regardless of their income level, ability, or socio-economic background. Our schools are nationally-ranked, with intimate class sizes and specialized curricula to suit the needs of our scholars and their communities. Alliance has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, the California Department of Education, the USC Rossier School of Education, and U.S. News & World Report as having the best schools in the country.
Market context
California school social worker demand remains steady
California school social worker roles are typically driven by ongoing student mental health, attendance, and family support needs in K-12 settings. Competition often centers on candidates with a Master’s in Social Work, a valid clinical social worker license or registration, and school experience; a California Pupil Personnel Services credential is preferred. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save research time, then confirm credential fit and prepare examples of school-based casework.
