About KIPP DC:

By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system, that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes. We are a network of eighteen schools educating nearly 7,000 students and employing 1,200 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to our mission. As part of the KIPP network’s 255 schools, we share best practices and innovations with our peers across the city and country.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We pride ourselves on providing unparalleled professional development and leadership opportunities. We acknowledge the demands of the teaching profession and continually seek to improve sustainability, benefits, and support for teachers. We are seeking staff who are passionate about educational equity, driven by student and family relationships, and constantly seeking to grow.

​​​​​​POSITION OVERVIEW:

KIPP DC is looking for a dynamic, committed and flexible mental health practitioner to become part of a vibrant educational community. KIPP DC mental health practitioners are responsible for delivering effective, high-quality, interventions that are data driven. We are looking for a dedicated mental health practitioner to support the social emotional and behavior skill development of our learners who require specialized instruction and related services in a full-time setting outside of general education.  Standard work hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 am to 4:00 pm two times per week, and 7:45 am to 4:30 pm three times per week. This role is an exempt position and reports to the school leader.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

          Service Delivery 35%

• Provide group and individual therapy and classroom support to special education students and assess student response to the interventions identified.
• Respond to acute mental health crises and provide appropriate intervention services to students and families.
• Collaborate with the Behavior Analyst, and classroom teachers to develop and manage student behavior intervention plans, monitor progress, and provide support and consultation to general and special education teachers to promote implementation.
• Conduct student and classroom observations to monitor individual student progress to Behavioral Goals
• Provide on-going consultation to teachers, parents, and other school personnel to support students’ learning, behavioral challenges, and mental health needs. 
• Conduct risk assessments when students present with safety concerns.
• Align Individualized Education Program (IEP) Goals and Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) Goals in collaboration with the Behavior Analyst and classroom teacher

  Workflow Documentation 25%

• Complete all necessary special education paperwork for special education meetings.
• Log progress notes with all of the required information about the student’s specific IEP goals, responses to the designated interventions, and plan for upcoming sessions, in a timely manner.
• Collect data to track plan fidelity and monitor progress towards goals for IEPs and BIPs.

          Stakeholder Collaboration 20%

• Consult and collaborate with school leaders, teachers, and student support team members to offer prevention and intervention strategies to resolve learning and behavioral challenges of students.
• Support stakeholders in understanding the integration of child development, student academics, and social-emotional functioning. 
• Demonstrate a positive, collaborative, problem-solving mindset with students, parents/guardians, educators, administrators, community members, and colleagues.
• Work directly with Community Based Organizations to make referrals for students in need of mental health services.
• Collaborate with the school team to decrease chronic absenteeism and truancy.

  School and Community Support 20%

• Serve as the school liaison to social service agencies in the surrounding community.
• Act as the School-Based Homeless Liaison, identifying and supporting families that are in need of permanent housing through completion of referrals and fulfilling identified needs.
• Participate in mediations, administrative reviews, discipline hearings, and due process proceedings as it relates to students on caseload.
• Participate in school Open Houses, Parent-Teacher Conferences and other school events engaging parents outside of normal operating hours.
• Participate in arrival, dismissal and all major student transitions by reporting on-time and consistently to assigned post.

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• Master's Degree in social work or professional counseling. (Required)
• Licensure as a social worker or profession counselor by the District of Columbia Department of Health (DOH). (Required)
• Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker or Licensed Professional Counselor (Preferred)
• Knowledge and/or experience supporting students with autism, behavioral and intellectual disabilities. 
• Knowledge and/or experience supporting students using Augmentative and Alternative Communication systems (Preferred).
• Commitment to working with students with limited access to quality educational opportunities. (Required)
• Experience working in an urban public school. (Preferred)
• Pass all required background check requirements under the School Safety Omnibus Amendment Act of 2018

Compensation and Benefits:

• When it comes to compensation, at KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. We look at compensation benchmarks in schools across DC. Mental Health Practitioner salaries are exempt and start at $71,475 and increase with years of experience. Please see the salary scale here. Mental Health Practitioners can earn up to $5,000 in renewal add-ons to their base salary each year they return to KIPP DC.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 10 paid sick days, 12 paid holidays, paid Thanksgiving week break, winter break, spring break, and summer break. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.
• All employees who use public transit through WMATA are eligible for pre-tax deductions for transportation costs.
• Teachers are provided with a laptop computer for work
• Social work or professional counseling supervision hours towards independent licensure, in-house
• In-house CEU workshops towards licensure renewal
• Reimbursement of licensure renewal fees

Please apply immediately, as applications are accepted and roles are filled on a rolling basis. All interested applicants should visit https://www.kippdc.org/join-our-team/apply-now/. For questions or issues with your application, please contact [email protected].

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law. 

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.