CURE Social Worker

The University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) CURE Scholars Program is accepting applications for a full-time Social Worker.  The goal of the UMB CURE Scholars Program is to identify promising students attending school in West Baltimore and to strengthen the minority education pipeline that leads Baltimore’s children to rewarding careers in biomedical research, healthcare, and Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.  UMB CURE is supported through a new grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experience (CURE) program to the University of Maryland, Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center. 
The CURE program has a strong record of attracting promising students from diverse racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds to careers in the health sciences through a continuum of training that spans high school through undergraduate and post-graduate studies. Despite this success, minority representation in science and healthcare fields remains low and does not reflect the rapid growth in this demographic. Accordingly, new approaches are required to increase the pool of minority students and trainees who ultimately enter healthcare/biomedical degree programs and careers. Towards this goal, the UMB CURE high school and middle school program integrates six core components that distinguish it from related science outreach education programs and contribute to its success. 
UMB CURE will: i) engage students at an early stage in their education to inspire interest in science/healthcare and increase the pool of students who pursue careers in these fields; ii) take a holistic approach to the scholars’ education by addressing academic and family/community factors that impact advancement; iii) provide institutional support from UMB and its partners to leverage a rich spectrum of resources to promote and enhance the program; iv) function as the point of entry to a strong existing minority education pipeline in Baltimore that provides a directed path for academic advancement from middle school to college; v) provide a robust mentor: scholar ratio to ensure engagement and consistent support; vi) utilize the strong CURE infrastructure to track and support scholars through college and beyond and  evaluate program outcomes. Together, this robust confluence of training resources and support mechanisms will advance our goals of enhancing minority STEM education and increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce.
The UMB CURE Social Worker will join a team of professionals dedicated to the success of the CURE Scholars.  The Social Worker will provide licensed social work care to enhance Scholars’ academic and social functioning and ability to fully participate and engage in the high-quality, long-term STEM pipeline program.  Working under the supervision of a Social Worker (LCSW-C) to provide wrap-around services and direct clinical interventions to CURE scholars.  This includes following CURE’s tiered social work model, ranging from case management and care coordination to weekly in-home clinical services with scholars and family.   ***This is a Full-Time, Contractual position***
UMB offers a generous benefits package, which includes 11 vacation days, 11 personal and holidays, 5 sick days; comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; and limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB. 
The ideal candidate will personally connect with the Administration and Finance Guiding Principles which closely mirror UMB’s core values: Accountability, Civility, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Knowledge, Leadership, Communication, & Work/Life Balance.    Essential Functions:

• Work closely with the Scholar Success Team to monitor and respond to risk factors, including decreased attendance or academic performance, with the ultimate goal of promoting Scholar academic success and increased social functioning. 
• Assess risk by screening and interviewing scholars.  Identify and construct service plans that best meet the client’s needs and determine best resources available. 
• Develop plans by identifying programs and services available for a variety of scholar and family issues dealing with challenges, change, and crisis.
• Maintain clinical notes to document client(s) progress utilizing Apricot Social Solutions. 
• Schedule and lead home visits for all new and incoming CURE scholars with the goal of building trust and rapport between families and the program.
• Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, social adjustment, child care, and/or medical care
• Provide social-emotional support, crisis management, and conflict mediation to Scholars while they are on UMB’s campus during CURE programming.
• Work closely with partner schools and school staff to promote the CURE program and to promote Scholar success in the schools. 
• Serve as the staff liaison to the CURE Parent Organization (CPO). 
• Serve as a task supervisor for 2-3 Master of Social Work student interns.
• Perform other duties as appropriate and assigned.

  Qualifications    Education:  Master’s Degree in Social Work.
Preferred Experience:  Experience providing human services and program management, preferably in an urban school setting is preferred.
Licensure/Certification:  Licensed Masters in Social Work (LMSW) in the State of Maryland.
 
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work well with people, including people in crisis.
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as with individuals and/or families from diverse ethnic, racial, and social-economic backgrounds. 
• Ability to understand program goals and objectives, engage in planning, and implement goals within a team structure. 
• Strong organizational skills and excellent attention to detail.
• Knowledge and experience about family-focused, home-based clinical services to families with children in urban environments exposed to trauma and racial injustice.
• Knowledge and experience about clinical services for children exposed to maltreatment, and children with behavior and learning challenges. 
• Ability to manage situations with tact, diplomacy, understanding, and fairness. 

  Hiring Range: Commensurate with education and experience
If accommodations are needed for a disability, please contact Staffing & Career Services at 410-706-2606, Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm EST.  Maryland Relay can be accessed by dialing 711 (in-state) or 1-800-735-2258.  
UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy.