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Social Work & Student Support Careers at TEP

TEP’s social work and student support professionals play a critical role in ensuring that every student feels supported and empowered to thrive, academically, socially, and emotionally. Working in close partnership with teachers, school leaders, and families, these team members help create the safe, caring, and inclusive school environments that make rigorous teaching and learning possible every day across our campuses in the Washington Heights and Inwood neighborhoods of New York City.

At TEP, we take a whole-child approach to education. We recognize that a student’s ability to learn is deeply connected to their sense of safety, belonging, and well-being. Our student support teams are fully integrated into the life of the school, collaborating with classroom teachers, building strong relationships with students and families, and coordinating services that address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs. Rather than working in isolation, TEP’s social work and student support professionals are embedded in collaborative, school-based teams that meet regularly to review student data, share observations, and design coordinated interventions that are aligned with classroom instruction and schoolwide expectations.

Supporting Students and Families in Washington Heights and Inwood

TEP serves students and families across three campuses in Washington Heights and Inwood, two of New York City’s most vibrant and close-knit communities. Our social work and student support teams build deep, trusting relationships with the families we serve, helping connect them to school-based and community resources that support students both inside and outside of school. Through individual counseling, small-group support, family outreach, and crisis intervention, our social work and student support professionals ensure that every child has access to the care and guidance they need to succeed.

Bilingual staff members play an especially important role in our community, helping bridge communication between families, teachers, and school leaders, and ensuring that TEP’s support services are accessible and responsive to the needs of our diverse student population.

Open Positions

TEP is currently hiring for the following social work and student support roles:

  •   Social Worker (Bilingual) – Elementary School
  •   Social Worker (Bilingual) – Middle School
  •   Social Work Fellow (Bilingual)
  •       Student and Family Intervention Specialist (Bilingual)

Each posting includes detailed information on responsibilities, qualifications, required credentials, and how to apply. Explore our current job listings to find the role that best matches your background, experience, and career goals.

How do Social Work and Student Support Professionals Support at TEP

Social workers and student support specialists at TEP provide direct services to students across Early Childhood, Elementary, and Middle School campuses. Their work includes:

  • Providing individual and small-group counseling to address social-emotional needs, mental health, and overall well-being
  • Collaborating with classroom teachers to develop and implement targeted academic, behavioral, and social-emotional interventions
  • Partnering with families to share information, explain support plans, and ensure that strategies are consistent across school and home
  • Connecting students and families to community-based resources and external services
  • Participating in school-based team meetings to review student data, monitor progress, and adjust intervention strategies
  • Supporting crisis prevention and intervention, and ensuring that students in need receive timely, appropriate care
  • Contributing to a school culture that prioritizes students, safety, belonging, and the social-emotional development of every child

Qualifications

Qualifications vary by role and may include relevant licensure or certification in social work, counseling, or a related field. Roles require bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, in response to the community that TEP serves. Prior experience working directly with children and families in school, clinical, or community-based settings is strongly valued. Specific requirements, certifications, and experience expectations are clearly outlined in each individual job posting.

Why TEP

At TEP, social work and student support professionals are valued, active members of our school community who play an essential role within collaborative teams. Social Workers partner with teachers and leaders every day. We invest in our people through competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development that supports both personal well-being and long-term career growth.

TEP has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and on 60 Minutes for its radical investment in teachers and outstanding results. When you join TEP, you become part of a mission-driven community united by a shared commitment to students, families, and educational equity in Washington Heights and Inwood, New York City.

Benefits for full-time staff include:

  • Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 403(b) retirement plan
  • Commuter benefits and dependent care accounts
  • Short-Term Disability (STD), Long-Term Disability (LTD), and Life Insurance, 100% paid by TEP
  • Robust paid time off and school holidays
  • Ongoing professional development and tuition/continuous learning reimbursements
  • Free healthy and delicious lunch, prepared daily by TEP’s Kitchen Team
  • A supportive, collaborative, and mission-driven school community

Ready to Join Our Team?

We are always looking for passionate, skilled professionals who are committed to student well-being and success. Whether you are an experienced licensed social worker, school counselor, or a student and family intervention specialist, TEP offers a meaningful opportunity to grow professionally, contribute to a mission-driven school community, and make a lasting impact in the lives of students and families in Washington Heights and Inwood. Explore our current openings today and take the next step in your career in education and student support in New York City.

FAQ

Student support roles at TEP may include positions in social work, counseling, student support services, and other specialized roles focused on helping students thrive both academically and socially. These professionals provide direct services, collaborate with teachers and families, and help address social-emotional, behavioral, and learning needs so that students are fully supported in a rigorous school environment. Availability of these positions depends on current openings, campus needs, and enrollment, and may vary from year to year. As opportunities arise, TEP seeks individuals who are committed to whole-child development and eager to contribute to a coordinated, mission-driven support system for students and families.

Many roles require relevant licensure or professional credentials, though specific requirements vary depending on the position and level of responsibility. For example, roles in counseling, social work, or special education may require state certification or clinical licensure, while other support positions may emphasize experience and training over formal credentials. Each job posting clearly outlines the required and preferred qualifications, including any necessary licenses, certifications, or educational background. Reviewing the individual posting is the best way to understand the expectations and ensure alignment with your experience and credentials.

Student support professionals work in close collaboration with classroom teachers to identify student needs, align instructional and support strategies, and ensure consistent follow-through. Through regular communication, shared planning, and data review, they help integrate academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports into daily classroom practice rather than treating them as separate or isolated services. This partnership allows interventions to be reinforced throughout the school day, ensures that students receive coordinated and consistent support, and helps create a cohesive approach that promotes both learning and well-being.

Many student support roles involve regular communication and partnership with families, depending on the needs of the student and the nature of the position. Support professionals work with caregivers to share information, discuss progress, and align strategies used at school and at home. Through phone calls, meetings, and written communication, they help ensure that families are informed, engaged, and active partners in supporting their child’s academic, social-emotional, and behavioral development. This collaboration helps build trust and creates a consistent, coordinated approach that supports student success.

Success in these roles includes building strong, trusting relationships with students, families, and colleagues, and serving as a reliable partner in supporting each child’s growth. It involves collaborating effectively with teachers, school leaders, and other support staff to align strategies, share information, and problem-solve together. Support plans are implemented consistently and thoughtfully, with close attention to student progress and responsiveness to changing needs. Through this coordinated work, student support professionals help remove academic, social-emotional, and behavioral barriers, ensuring that every student has access to learning, feels supported, and is able to thrive in a safe, nurturing school environment.

If current openings include special education–related roles, they will be listed within the Student Support category on TEP’s careers page. Each posting will clearly outline the specific responsibilities, qualifications, and certifications required, such as experience with IEPs, instructional accommodations, or related service delivery. These listings also describe how the role collaborates with teachers, families, and support teams to ensure that students with disabilities receive appropriate services aligned to academic and developmental goals. By reviewing the individual job descriptions, candidates can understand both the expectations of the role and how it fits within TEP’s integrated, whole-child support model.

Apply online through TEP’s careers page to view current student support openings and submit your application. Each listing provides detailed information about responsibilities, qualifications, and required credentials so you can determine the best fit for your background. If there is not a current opening that matches your expertise or interests, you can join TEP’s talent network to stay connected and be considered for future opportunities as positions become available across campuses and support teams.

The hiring process varies by role but typically begins with an application review followed by one or more interviews with school leaders or team members. Depending on the position, candidates may also participate in a role-specific conversation, case discussion, or skills-based assessment designed to better understand their experience, approach, and fit for the work. These steps allow the team to assess both technical qualifications and alignment with TEP’s mission, values, and student-centered culture.

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