Social Worker/Clinical Counselor (MAA @ YSC) SY 26-27

See Forever Foundation & Maya Angelou Schools; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 78,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

The Social Worker/Clinical Counselor at Maya Angelou Schools provides trauma-informed mental health, behavioral, and social-emotional support to students within a juvenile detention center. The role serves youth ages 13–21, many with trauma histories and IEPs, delivering individual counseling, crisis response, and SEL programming in a secure setting.

Key duties include collaboration with special education teams, school staff, and outside providers; maintaining confidential records; and

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related counseling required; DC license mandatory.
• OSSE certification required within 1 year of hire.
• Experience in juvenile detention or secure facilities preferred but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Provide trauma-informed individual counseling and behavioral support to students in a detention setting.
• Collaborate with special education case managers, school psychologists, teachers, and administrators to support IEP behavioral goals.
• Design, coordinate, and implement school-wide SEL programming and psychoeducational workshops.
• Participate in IEP meetings, manifestation determination meetings, SST meetings, transition planning meetings, and re-entry planning processes.
• Maintain timely records, case notes, and progress reports in accordance with laws and district policies.

Skills

Trauma-informed practice

Documentation skills

Strength-based approach

Youth development

Education

Master's degree in social work or school counseling

DC License (LICSW or LPC-eligible)

OSSE Certification

Job description

Social Worker/Clinical Counselor (MAA @ YSC) SY 26-27

The Organization

Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed — they will thrive!

If you are interested in learning more about See Forever, please visit our website at www.seeforever.org.

YSC

The 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.

The Touchstone

At the Maya Angelou Schools, the key to our success is rooted in building trusting, respectful, and nurturing relationships with each other. We strive to create safe spaces for all to be able to reach their limitless potential. We are at our best when we work together to ensure the unique needs of our community are met. We empower each other to grow successfully so we can see forever! This is how we live the Maya Way, even when no one is watching.

Position Overview

The 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:

Provide behavioral support services for students receiving special education services. Collaborate with special education case managers, 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 Support

Provide 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) Programming

Design, 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.

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.

The Organization

Maya empowers opportunity and justice-involved youth to transform the trajectory of their lives. We do this by engaging each of our scholars in a restorative, relevant school experience that prioritizes personalized academic support, well-being, and preparation for the post-Maya pathway of their choice. With an education in our network of schools, our scholars will do more than succeed — they will thrive!

Salary and Benefits

Maya 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.

See Forever is an equal-opportunity employer.

We believe a diverse staff is a better, more effective staff.

The pay range for this role is:

78,000 - 115,000 USD per year (MAA@ Youth Service Center)