[School Year 2025-2026] Middle School Social Emotional Learning Specialist

Wearedream; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

DREAM, a leading youth development organization, seeks a Social-Emotional Learning Specialist in New York. The role supports youth through implementing SEL strategies and interventions while fostering strong relationships with students and families, in alignment with the organization's commitment to diversity and community engagement.

Benefits

Comprehensive health plans

Dental and vision plans

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Annual performance-based increases

Flexible spending account

403(b) retirement plan with employer matching

Paid parental leave

Fitness and entertainment discounts

Qualifications

• Experience with youth development or school environments.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage youth behaviors positively.

Responsibilities

• Implement SEL curriculum and small group interventions.
• Collect and analyze data for SEL program improvements.
• Manage student caseloads for tier 2 interventions.

Skills

Youth Development

Data Analysis

Group Facilitation

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master’s degree in Counseling (preferred)

Job description

Originallyfounded in 1991as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitmentto rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

Reporting to the Dean of SEL and Community, the Social-Emotional Learning Specialist is a reliable team player with a commitment to youth development, social-emotional learning, and mental health. They will play a key role in implementing DREAM’s Grow the Whole Child model by driving student growth in social and emotional competencies.

Responsibilities

• Implement social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum through explicit instruction and targeted small group SEL interventions to ensure student progress to targeted SEL goals and outcomes;
• Drive collection and analysis of data related to SEL intervention program and implement improvements based on data, feedback and observation;
• Collect and maintain student data related to informal behavior plans, in collaboration with School Leadership and Culture teams;
• Manage caseload of students receiving tier 2 SEL interventions; including data collection and documentation, teacher communication and collaboration, and family communication and collaboration;
• Supervise and manage individual youth behavior using positive student culture techniques and proactive interventions to ensure the physical and emotional safety and development of all youth;
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with families;
• Work with youth in positive and creative ways that encourage teamwork;
• Attend and participate in school culture, student life, and grade-level meetings;
• Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned.

DREAM employs three levels of SEL Specialists

• Level 1 SEL Specialists hold a Bachelor’s Degree;
• Level 2 SEL Specialists are accepted to/enrolled in a Master's level clinical graduate degree program and will be able to accrue internship hours (MSed, MHC, or MSW field practicum) through maintaining a caseload of between 5-8 students for at-risk counseling;
• Level 3 SEL Specialists have a Masters’s of Social Work but have not yet passed their LMSW exam, OR have a School Counseling certification OR have a Mental Health Counseling Limited Permit OR have a Master's of Social Work Limited Permit; Limited Permit holders will be able to accrue NYSED licensure hours through maintaining a caseload of between 5-8 students for mandated counseling.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, required;
• Enrollment in, or Master’s degree from, MSW, MHC, or MSEd in Counseling, preferred;
• One year of youth development or school experience, preferred;
• Experience providing small-group or individual supports for youth;
• Experience collecting data and implementing data-driven practices;
• Exhibit a strong belief that explicit and embedded SEL competency-building positively impacts academic achievement;
• Strong group facilitation skills and ability to manage behaviors using positive youth development principles (experience with restorative justice practices strongly preferred);
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent organizational and problem solving skills;
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

Benefits and Paid Time Off

• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans, subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave;
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment
• Referral bonuses;
• School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days;
• Benefits are subject to change.

Compensation

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $65,000 to $79,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission.

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us.

DREAM Maxims

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Applying to DREAM

We know applying for a new job can be a daunting process. In addition, studies have shown that historically underrepresented individuals often only apply to roles if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We encourage all applications! You may be just the person we need. If you have any questions about your application or interview process, do not hesitate to ask your recruiter; we are here to help!

DREAM provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws. If accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact your recruiter.