Social Worker, Prekindergarten, Head Start

The School District of Philadelphia; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking a bilingual Social Worker for Early Childhood Programs (Floater) to provide counseling and referrals to children and families in Prekindergarten Head Start and Comprehensive Day Care. The role also oversees paraprofessional staff and coordinates with other agencies.

Minimum qualifications include a Master’s degree in social work and Pennsylvania social work licenses, plus experience working with disadvantaged families.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, social welfare, sociology or social administration.
• One year of full-time, paid, professional experience providing social services to children.

Responsibilities

• Interviews and counsels children and families applying for the Prekindergarten Head Start Program or Comprehensive Day Care Program; assesses needs and makes referrals.
• Performs follow-up casework; coordinates services between program and outside social service agencies; provides family counseling.
• Receives referrals from supervisors or staff; guides subordinate social service staff; ensures adequate services in assigned region; keeps supervisor updated.
• Participates in development and implementation of parental education and self-improvement programs; informs parents of available resources and program activities.
• Attends staff and parent meetings; provides guidance to center staff; maintains records and prepares reports.

Skills

Social work knowledge

Case management

Communication skills

Team coordination

Education

Master’s degree in social work

Job description

Title: Social Worker, Early Childhood Programs (Floater) (Bilingual)

Department: Early Childhood Education

Reports To: Administrative Superior

The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 198,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?

Job Summary

Provides counseling and referral services to children and families enrolled in the Prekindergarten Head Start Program or Comprehensive Day Care Program. Administers social services in an assigned cluster of centers. Oversees the activities of the paraprofessional social service staff, provides technical guidance to workers, and handles the more difficult social services cases. Participates in and oversees others in the determination of the need of children and their families, and in recommending a course of action that will be effective in meeting these needs in an efficient and expeditious manner.

Essential Functions

• Interviews and counsels children and families applying for the Prekindergarten Head Start Program or Comprehensive Day Care Program; makes initial assessment of specific social service need; makes recommendations and referrals for those situations requiring immediate attention.
• Performs subsequent casework as follow-up, or upon receipt of a referral from the educational or other center staff; reviews individual cases; utilizes various disciplines in the medical, social, and educational fields in attempting to resolve the problems of participant families; makes contact with and coordinates services between the program and outside social service agencies; gives family counseling; makes referrals as needed.
• Receives referrals from superior or paraprofessional social service staff for the more difficult social service cases; provides technical guidance to other staff members as needed; assists superior in ensuring that adequate services are provided to assigned region; keeps superior abreast of the status of the component’s activities within assigned centers.
• Participates in the development and implementation of parental education and self improvement programs; may assist in acquiring speakers and materials needed; provides orientation to, and keeps parents informed of available social service resources; keeps parents abreast of programmatic activities.
• Attends periodic staff and parent meetings; provides advice and guidance to other center staff members in the area of social services; works as a team member with various component staff under the direction of an administrative superior; prepares correspondence and periodic reports as needed; maintains records case files.

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, social welfare, sociology or social administration.
• One year of full-time, paid, professional experience providing social services to children.

Certificates/Licenses

• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a social worker.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a clinical social worker.
• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate as a PK - 12 School Social Worker, Educational Specialist.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the principles, practices and techniques of social work.
• the functions and resources of public and private social welfare and related agencies.
• current social, economic and health problems, especially as related to disadvantaged families.

Demonstrated Ability To

• analyze and interpret case records and recommend logical courses of action.
• oversee the work of and to provide guidance to subordinate social service staff members.
• manage complex caseloads.
• present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Bilingual Specialty

In Addition To The Above, The Following Are Required

• Speak English and the appropriate foreign language fluently.
• Read and write English and the appropriate foreign language fluently.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Primary Location

Head Start Partnership Support (9391)

Job

Central Office

Schedule

Regular

Employee Status

Non-Management

Job Posting

Sep 9, 2026, 1:57:00 PM

Union Affiliation

Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)

Unposting Date

Sep 30, 2026, 10:59:00 PM