Licensed Social Worker

Nazareth Prep; Emsworth; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

Nazareth Prep seeks a High School Licensed Social Worker to bolster student success by addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and attendance barriers. You will lead the SAP, coordinate referrals, and collaborate with families and staff to promote well-being and achievement, including restorative practices and community connections.

The role focuses on crisis response, targeted interventions, and training staff in trauma-informed approaches while ensuring coordinated support across school and

Qualifications

• Experience working with adolescents and families.
• Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Act 33/34 and FBI clearances (or ability to obtain).
• Valid PA licensure as LSW or LCSW is required or pending.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Student Assistance Program (SAP) and coordinate referrals, planning, and documentation.
• Address social, emotional, behavioral, and attendance-related barriers to learning.
• Collaborate with families and outside agencies to connect school and community resources; support crisis response and short-term interventions.

Education

MSW CSWE-accredited program

Job description

Program: Nazareth Prep

Reports To: Interim Head of School or another designated school administrator

Hours: 11-month position (August 1 – June 30)

Location: Main Campus

Position Summary

The High School Licensed Social Worker supports student success by addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and attendance-related barriers. The role collaborates with students, families, and staff to promote well-being, engagement, and achievement, leads the Student Assistance Program (SAP), oversees restorative practices, and connects families to community resources.

Responsibilities

The High School Licensed Social Worker plays a central role in supporting students’ overall well-being and success by addressing social, emotional, behavioral, and attendance-related needs. Through individual and small-group services, the social worker assesses barriers to learning, develops targeted interventions, and provides crisis response and short-term support. The role also connects students and families with school-based and community resources, ensuring that both immediate and long-term needs are addressed.

A key responsibility of the position is leading the school’s Student Assistance Program (SAP), including coordinating referrals, facilitating intervention planning, maintaining compliance documentation, and collaborating with families and outside agencies. The social worker also monitors student attendance trends, implements strategies to address chronic absenteeism, and partners with families and administration to remove barriers to consistent school engagement.

In addition, the Licensed Social Worker serves as the school’s lead practitioner for restorative practices, guiding the development of a positive and accountable school culture. This includes facilitating restorative conversations, mediations, and re-entry meetings, as well as supporting students in repairing relationships and rebuilding trust. The role extends to providing training and coaching for staff on restorative practices, trauma-informed approaches, mental health, and student engagement strategies, while collaborating closely with school teams and community partners to ensure coordinated, comprehensive support for students.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from a CSWE-accredited program
• Current Pennsylvania LSW or LCSW credential
• Experience working with adolescents and families
• Knowledge of trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention, attendance supports, and community resource coordination
• Strong communication, collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment
• Must have or obtain Act 33/34 and education FBI clearances.
• Must be at least 21 years old, have a valid Driver’s License, and reliable transportation,
• Ability to perform the essential job functions consistently, safely and successfully with the ADA, FMLA and federal, state, and local standards
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a secondary school setting
• SAP certification or willingness to obtain
• Experience leading restorative practices in schools
• Experience providing staff training or professional development
• Experience supporting attendance improvement and truancy prevention
• Familiarity with MTSS, PBIS, SAP, and related student support frameworks

About Nazareth Prep

Nazareth Prep intentionally prepares students for success in college, career, and life in a caring community that inspires the development of a vibrant and intimate loving relationship with Jesus Christ through hard work, spiritual formation, and academic excellence.

HFI MISSION DUTIES

Holy Family Institute (HFI) is a 125-year-old Catholic organization with an impeccable history of serving children and families in the Pittsburgh Region. We are one of Pittsburgh’s largest social service organizations operating 15 programs in three counties. We are an independent organization guided by Catholic Social Teachings and serving people of all faiths and backgrounds.