Social Emotional Support Specialist

Open until filled
Start: August 2026
15-hours part-time position for 38 weeks (academic year); potential for expansion

Ithaca Waldorf School (IWS) is currently seeking a qualified and dedicated individual to fill the position of our Social Emotional Support Specialist (SESS). This exciting role offers the opportunity to be a key contributor in honing our social emotional learning program and offer support to our students, families, and faculty.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of the SESS is to provide social-emotional support to IWS students and faculty/staff, with a greater proportion of time focused on supporting the older grades as this is the developmental stage when many mental health problems typically emerge. Specific responsibilities include:

• Deepening the implementation of restorative practices as part of our school culture

• Design and coordination of a school postvention plan 

• Live observation of grades and middle school classroom dynamics and management- weekly in first 2 months, decreasing to as needed after that

• Feedback and support to students, parents/caregivers and teachers as needed, including helping families to find mental health assessment and support in the community if indicated

• One-on-one and small-group check-ins with students as needed– especially with students new to the school and those experiencing stressful events (e.g., family conflict/divorce or illness, bullying/peer conflict, racial/ethnic/gender discrimination and identity development) and mental health challenges (e.g., anxiety, depression, irritability, attention/behavior problems).

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• 5 or more years working with children/adolescents

• Masters degree in a mental health related field such as psychology, counseling, or social work

• Interest in learning about Waldorf Education

• Good organizational and record keeping skills

• Must be collegial and collaborative and able to work proactively with students and their families, faculty, staff and administration

• Training and experience in working with youth from diverse backgrounds

Preferred:

• Experience and training in Restorative Practices

• Experience working in elementary or middle schools

• Experience working within Waldorf Education

• License to practice in New York State

• Experience implementing school social emotional learning curricula

• Experience designing or implementing postvention

• Ability to supervise students from the social work field at Binghamton College

Benefits: This position is eligible for matched retirement savings, paid time off, and other benefits.

IWS embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.
To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to office@ithacawaldorf.org with the subject line “Applying for Social Emotional Support Specialist.”

Salary range $20,000 - $24,000 based on experience and hours

Ithaca is home to Cornell University and Ithaca College, which offer our community a rich cultural life. The city is situated at the foot of beautiful Cayuga Lake, and is a wonderful place to raise a family. (www.visitithaca.com)

The Ithaca Waldorf School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or handicapping conditions in its educational programs or employment. No person shall be denied employment solely because of any impairment that is unrelated to the ability to engage in activities involved in the position or program to which application has been made.