Horizons at New Canaan Country School (NCCS) was founded in 1964 and is the flagship program of what has become a national movement. There are now more than 70 Horizons programs across the United States and counting. Each year we serve more than 400 under-resourced students in kindergarten through post-secondary, most of whom live in Stamford and Norwalk. Our program includes a robust 6-week summer program for approximately 300 students and an academic year program that includes academic, enrichment, and caregiver programs. We raise our entire budget annually from private sources to ensure that every child can attend tuition free

Our vision: To build a more just and equitable society.

Our mission: Transforming the lives of disadvantaged children and youth through year-round academic and enrichment programs to inspire learning, encourage success, and close the opportunity gap.

Our values:

• Stocks through opportunity
• Educating the whole child
• A joyful and caring community

Job Summary: The Community Connector and Social Worker is responsible for supporting the social-emotional development and well-being of students and families and for developing strong community connections that support staffing, partnerships and collaborations that lead to better outcomes for children.

Academic year responsibilities include:

• Provide direct counseling support to children and families as needed and make connections to expanded services as needed
• Facilitate connections to necessary social and emotional screenings and services beyond the scope of Horizons professional staff
• Identify and develop partnerships/strengthen relationships with community organizations, including Norwalk and Stamford collective impact groups and resources
• Support the recruitment and admission process
• Participate in facilitating meetings of the Family Degree Representative and the Family Council
• Serve as a student/family advocate within the schools and community. Participate in school meetings to support families, and ensure students receive relevant services, as needed.
• Coordinate family and volunteer involvement in annual community building events to include Holiday Party, KAM Day of Service, Fall Festival, Frogtown Fair, etc.
• Managing the Alumni Association and annual events including, but not limited to, updating alumni contact information and partnering with the Alumni Association Event Planning Committee
• Be an active and involved member of our host school community, New Canaan Country School, including attending community lunches and designated events
• Other duties as assigned

Summer responsibilities include:

• Serve as the Junior Program Dean of Students and Culture to implement positive community events and support faculty/staff who have behavioral and/or social-emotional concerns.
• Serve as a leader for all volunteer efforts
• Work in partnership with the Senior Program Dean of Students and Culture to implement positive strengths-based curricula for behavior and emotional concerns
• Partner with DSFP and DAS to implement assessments that capture social and emotional data
• Contribute to pre-summer staff training in partnership with DSFP and DAS
• In partnership with the Director of the Son Program:
  • Support teachers, teaching assistants and teaching assistants during training to address student concerns.
  • Lead weekly staff meetings, address concerns and support student and staff needs.
  • Leading the junior program functions, daily announcements, routines, traditions, etc.
  • Plan and implement Friday afternoon program meetings.
• Work with your summer leadership team to plan a family night out
• Work with faculty and staff to recognize student achievements and celebrate birthdays.
• Develop and implement strategies to recognize staff, support team building, and enhance staff and student morale
• Develop curriculum and teach a “Transition to Middle School” class.
• Other duties as assigned

The ideal candidate will have:

• License to practice social work in CT
• 3-5 years working with multicultural families and students in an educational setting
• Experience creating and delivering social-emotional programming
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of families/students from marginalized communities
• Strong working knowledge of Google Workspace
• Knowledge of Norwalk and Stamford communities and resources preferred
• Excellent organisational, managerial and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a busy work environment and flexibility to work programmatic nights and Saturdays
• Proficiency in Spanish is an added advantage
• Passion for Horizons’ mission

Compensation and benefits:

The Community Connector and Social Worker position is a full-time salaried position with medical and vision benefits; Life and disability insurance; 403(b); Generous vacation and PTO time, professional development support, and tuition waivers for children of NCCS faculty and staff. Salary range is $60,000 – $70,000, depending on qualifications and relevant experience. This role will be expected to work regular on-site hours with some evening and weekend hours required to support program and donor events.

Equal opportunities

Horizons at NCCS is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability.

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