The posting
POSITION: Mental Health/Social Work Internship Placement
GRADE LEVEL: Grades 6-12
LOCATION: Multiple locations and/or a specific pre-agreed upon campus. This is an on-site placement - hybrid/virtual internships are not available.
SALARY: This is an Unpaid Temporary Placement
STATUS: Fixed-Term Intern (weekly hours dependent on Graduate School requirements), not benefits eligible
START: First day of internship will be agreed upon with your campus(es) school director(s) and/or MSW supervisor. Internships are offered during the school year, August-May. Please note that if you require hours in June or July, DSST will likely not be a placement fit.
APPLY TO THIS ROLE IF: You are currently enrolled in a mental health and/or social work program and are interested in completing your internship at DSST. We are able to support placements requiring the following types of supervision: Social Work (MSW/LCSW).
Please be prepared to answer the following application questions:
- What college/university program are you currently enrolled in?
- Who is the field experience/student teaching/internship coordinator for your program? (Name, title, email)
- What subject area(s) (i.e. math, social work, science) are you most interested in teaching?
- What grade levels are you most interested in?
- How many hours of field experience, student teaching, or internship time are you looking to complete in total?
- How many hours/days per week of experience do you need?
- Does your program have any mentor requirements? (i.e the mentor must have at least 3 years of experience, specific licenses, etc.)
- What is your ideal start date for your field experience/student teaching/internship?
- What do you hope to learn/gain from this experience?
Please Note:
- You will be prompted to enter your Work Experience. You may enter “N/A” in required fields if you do not have work experience.
- You will be prompted to enter your Education. You may enter your current GPA, as we understand your degree is in progress.
- All applicants will complete an interview with a maximum of 3 staff members. Students will need to complete a Criminal Background Investigation (CBI) by submitting their fingerprints. Fingerprints do cost $60 and they are not refunded. These are required to be completed prior to starting.
- Students will need to complete Mandated Reporter, Non Suicidal Self Injury and Suicide Risk Review Trainings during the first 2-3 weeks of internship.
- If this is an Employment based internship then there will be additional employee onboarding trainings and certifications that will need to be completed through Workday, DORA and CDE.
Additional questions? Email DSST’s Manager of Teacher Pathways at [email protected].
KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide 1:1 counseling support to our general education students and consult to develop appropriate goals
- Participate in crisis management by observing protocols, providing counseling and/or making referrals
- Progress monitor students and strengthen social emotional skills after crisis protocols are conducted for 6-12 weeks
- Facilitate small group social emotional learning groups
- Participate in developing Behavior Intervention Plans through data collection of evaluations and student observations
- Participate on multidisciplinary teams to advocate and support student best interests (examples: MTSS, Attendance Team, Culture Team)
- Participate in school-based and DPS professional development opportunities
- Support with parent psychoeducation evenings with school based CERM and Mental Health Teams
- Incorporate Graduate School projects and assignments into field experience as required
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's Degree and acceptance into partnering Graduate School
- An unwavering belief that all students can succeed in school, reach their most ambitious post-secondary goals, and lead exemplary lives
- Desire to personally professionally grow in their practice of becoming an anti-racist educator
- Self-awareness, a regular practice of reflection, and a desire to continuously improve
IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven commitment to and experience with serving students of color, students with disabilities, and/or multilingual students
WHO WE ARE
At DSST Public Schools, we are proud to be the largest and highest-performing network of public charter schools in Denver and Aurora with 100% of our students having been accepted into college or post secondary programs since our inception in 2004. When you join DSST, you play a part in ensuring all 7,500+ students at our 16 schools have access to a transformational and joyful education.
INTERVIEW EXPECTATIONS
For most of our positions, we hire on a rolling basis. Therefore, we recommend that you submit your application as soon as you are able! You can learn more about what to expect in our interview process here.
WHY JOIN DSST?
At DSST, we know that our people are the greatest asset we have in reaching our mission of eliminating educational inequity. We work hard to build a work culture that allows our staff to not only feel fulfilled by the work they do but also feel supported to live a joyful, healthy life. We want this work to be your life’s work. Check out why our teachers love working at DSST as well as our benefits website to learn how we deliver on our commitment to the human condition.
- Health and Supplemental Insurance: DSST staff have access to comprehensive medical benefits, including fertility benefits and a mental health counselor that is dedicated solely to DSST staff.
- Time Off: DSST Staff enjoy 11+ weeks off per year + paid PTO (from Day 1!)
- Professional Development: As a learning organization, DSST values both internal and external development opportunities for staff. See some examples below: DSST Back to School Development Series including New Staff Institute, New Educator Institute, New Leader Institute, Leader You, and Teaching & Learning Institute. Weekly 1:1 Coaching from a School Administrator at your campus. Clear internal career pathway opportunities such as our Apprentice Teachers, Emerging Leaders, and School Director in Training Programs. Read more here.
- And more!
DSST COMMUNITY REFERRAL PROGRAM
Not a best fit role for you but know someone else who would be a great fit? Refer them here and earn $500 if they are hired!
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AND DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
DSST Public Schools is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not exclude participation in, deny benefits to or discriminate on the basis of, race, color, religion, National origin, sex (including pregnancy and related conditions, sexual orientation, or gender identity), Age (40 and older), Disability, Genetic information (including employer requests for, or purchase, use, or disclosure of genetic tests, genetic services, or family medical history), retaliation for filing a charge, reasonably opposing discrimination, or participating in a discrimination lawsuit, investigation, or proceeding in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and may require standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, and crouching throughout the day. The employee must lift and/or move items up to 30 pounds. The employee must have sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
