Social Worker, Prekindergarten, Head Start

School-District-of-Philadelphi; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The School District of Philadelphia is seeking a Social Worker for Early Childhood Programs (Bilingual) to support Prekindergarten Head Start and Comprehensive Day Care programs in an assigned cluster. You will interview, counsel, and refer families; coordinate with external agencies; and supervise paraprofessional staff.

Candidates must hold a Master’s in social work, PA social worker license or clinical license, and a PK-12 School Social Worker certificate.

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.
• PA licenses and PK-12 certificate required as stated.

Responsibilities

• Interviews and counsels children and families applying for the Prekindergarten Head Start Program or Comprehensive Day Care Program.
• Performs casework, follows up, and coordinates services with outside social service agencies.
• Provides family counseling and makes referrals as needed.
• Oversees paraprofessional social service staff and guides junior workers.
• Attends staff and parent meetings and maintains case files.

Skills

Bilingual ability

Communication

Case management

Team guidance

Education

Master's degree in social work

PA social worker license

PA clinical social worker license

PK-12 School Social Worker certificate

Job description

Social Worker, Prekindergarten, Head Start - (50032370)DescriptionTitle: Social Worker, Early Childhood Programs (Floater) (Bilingual)Department: Early Childhood EducationReports To: Administrative SuperiorThe 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 SummaryProvides 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.QualificationsMinimum 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.OR• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania license as a clinical social worker.AND• Valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania certificate as a PK - 12 School Social Worker, Educational Specialist.Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesDemonstrated knowledge of:o the principles, practices and techniques of social work.o the functions and resources of public and private social welfare and related agencies.o current social, economic and health problems, especially as related to disadvantaged families.Demonstrated ability to:o analyze and interpret case records and recommend logical courses of action.o oversee the work of and to provide guidance to subordinate social service staff members.o manage complex caseloads.o present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.o establish and maintain effective working relationships.Bilingual SpecialtyIn addition to the above, the following are required:Demonstrated ability to: speak English and the appropriate foreign language fluently. read and write English and the appropriate foreign language fluently.DisclaimerThe 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.NondiscriminationThe 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 OfficeOrganization: The School District of Philadelphia RegularEmployee Status: Non-ManagementJob Posting: Sep 9, 2026, 1:57:00 PMUnion Affiliation: Philadelphia Federation of Teachers (PFT)Unposting Date: Sep 30, 2026, 10:59:00 PM