[General Interest - School Year 25-26] Social-Emotional Learning Specialist

Please note that this is a general interest form for the 2025-2026 school year. Submission of this form lets our recruiting team know that you are interested in future vacancies that may become available.  This is NOT an application to a current vacancy. As we further define our needs for next year, we will post specific roles.

About DREAM

Originally founded in 1991 as Harlem RBI, DREAM has grown to annually serve more than 2,500 youth across East Harlem and the South Bronx through a network of seven PreK-12, extended-day, extended-year DREAM Charter Schools and community sports-based youth development programs. Through our commitment to rigorous academics, social-emotional learning, deep family and community engagement, and health and wellness, we create lifelong learners who are equipped to fulfill their vision of success in and out of the classroom. We dream big, as well, with an aggressive five-year plan to expand to serve 3,500 students across seven schools—growing our organization’s impact and leveling the playing field for all children. To learn more, visit wearedream.org.

Social-Emotional Learning Specialists support the school by playing a key role in implementing DREAM’s Grow the Whole Child model by driving student growth in social and emotional competencies.

• Implement social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum through explicit instruction and targeted small group SEL interventions to ensure student progress to targeted SEL goals and outcomes;
• Drive collection and analysis of data related to SEL intervention program and implement improvements based on data, feedback and observation;
• Collect and maintain student data related to informal behavior plans, in collaboration with School Leadership and Culture teams;
• Manage caseload of students receiving tier 2 SEL interventions; including data collection and documentation, teacher communication and collaboration, and family communication and collaboration;
• Supervise and manage individual youth behavior using positive student culture techniques and proactive interventions to ensure the physical and emotional safety and development of all youth;
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with families;
• Work with youth in positive and creative ways that encourage teamwork;
• Attend and participate in school culture, student life, and grade-level meetings;
• Additional duties related to the running of the school as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree, required;
• Enrollment in, or Master’s degree from, MSW, MHC, or MSEd in Counseling, preferred;
• One year of youth development or school experience, preferred;
• Experience providing small-group or individual supports for youth;
• Experience collecting data and implementing data-driven practices;
• Exhibit a strong belief that explicit and embedded SEL competency-building positively impacts academic achievement;
• Strong group facilitation skills and ability to manage behaviors using positive youth development principles (experience with restorative justice practices strongly preferred);
• Strong written and oral communication skills;
• Excellent organizational and problem solving skills;
• A strong belief in the mission and values of DREAM, including the desire to make a difference in the lives of our students, families, and community.

• Level 1 SEL Specialists hold a Bachelor’s Degree;
• Level 2 SEL Specialists are accepted to/enrolled in a Master's level clinical graduate degree program and will be able to accrue internship hours (MSed, MHC, or MSW field practicum) through maintaining a caseload of between 5-8 students for at-risk counseling;
• Level 3 SEL Specialists have a Masters’s of Social Work but have not yet passed their LMSW exam, OR have a School Counseling certification OR have a Mental Health Counseling Limited Permit OR have a Master's in Social Work Limited Permit; Limited Permit holders will be able to accrue NYSED licensure hours through maintaining a caseload of between 5-8 students for mandated counseling.

• LMSWs can receive clinical supervision towards NYSED licensure
• We offer comprehensive benefits including:
• Flexible Medical Health Plans,  subsidizing the majority of costs for the employee, their spouse/domestic partner and children;
• The ability to select between a variety of medical plans according to what best suits the employee’s needs;
• Dental and vision plans;
• Disability benefits;
• Life insurance;
• Up to 12 weeks fully paid of Parental Leave; 
• Flexible spending account options;
• Pre-tax commuter benefits (parking and transit);
• Fitness and entertainment discounts;
• A variety of support through our employee assistance program (EAP);
• A 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching up to 4% after one year of employment;
• Referral bonuses;
• School-based 12-month employees have approximately 48 days off throughout the school year including holidays, school breaks, personal days, and wellness days;
• Benefits are subject to change.

• DREAM offers a competitive salary commensurate with relevant experience with the potential for an annual performance-based increase. The incoming salary range for this position is $63,500 to $79,000 per year. New hires are typically brought into the organization at a salary closer to the start of the range depending on qualifications, internal equity, and the budgeted amount for the role. All staff are eligible for annual performance-based increases. Because we value staff tenure in each role, we do not currently cap salary ranges.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At DREAM, diversity, equity, and inclusion are a matter of mission. 

From our schools to our playing fields, DREAM is committed to building a team where each individual can bring their full identity and experience to work because representation matters—it enriches our team culture, enhances our ability to innovate, and strengthens our impact in and out of the classroom. DREAM engages staff that represent and appreciate the diversity of our majority Black and Hispanic student body, while working to ensure that our practices are equitable, welcoming, and productive. We are dedicated to creating a world where youth, especially youth of color, have permission to dream—along with the tools and opportunities to make their dreams reality.

Come dream with us.

DREAM Maxims 

All Kids Can. This Kid Can.

DREAM is Family.

Fun is a Serious Value.

Teamwork Makes the DREAM Work.

Fail. Persist. Exceed.

DREAM Big.

Please note that this is a general interest form for the 2025-2026 school year. Submission of this form lets our recruiting team know that you are interested in future vacancies that may become available.  This is NOT an application to a current vacancy. As we further define our needs for next year, we will post specific roles.