About Ascend

Ascend is a network of high-performing public charter schools serving students across Brooklyn. Our mission is to ensure that all students—regardless of background—have access to an education that empowers them to unlock their full potential, achieve academic excellence, and pursue a future of boundless opportunity. We cultivate rigorous learning environments where students develop critical thinking skills, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

At Ascend, educational equity is a driving force. We are committed to closing the achievement gap by delivering high-quality instruction, fostering a culture of high expectations, and equipping every student with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in college and beyond. Through this unwavering commitment, we prepare students not only to succeed academically but to seize every opportunity that lies ahead.

About the Role

The Manager of Clinical Services is a key leader in ensuring that students across the network receive high-quality, compliant, and equitable clinical supports. This role provides direct supervision, guidance, and development for a team of school-based clinicians, ensuring they are equipped to deliver counseling, behavioral, and mental health services aligned to IEP mandates, MTSS frameworks, and organizational priorities.

The Manager of Clinical Services serves as both a thought partner and hands-on coach; balancing strategic oversight with in-school presence a minimum of three days per week. They monitor caseloads, compliance data, and clinician practice to identify trends, address challenges, and implement improvements. They also ensure clinicians are upholding ethical, legal, and professional standards while maintaining accurate documentation and billing practices.

In addition, the Manager of Clinical Services is responsible for building strong relationships with school leaders, families, and external partners. They act as a liaison between the academic and student support teams to ensure clinical services are integrated into broader school priorities. The role includes designing and facilitating professional development, leading case conferences, and supporting crisis intervention as needed.

The Manager of Clinical Services ensures that clinical supports not only meet mandated requirements but also strengthen the social-emotional and academic outcomes of students. By cultivating highly skilled clinicians, ensuring strong compliance systems, and embedding therapeutic expertise in schools, this role is critical to achieving the organization’s mission of closing opportunity gaps for students with special needs.

Competencies

Clinical Expertise and Supervision

• Ideally holds appropriate licensure to provide clinical supervision to school-based mental health professionals.
• Demonstrates deep knowledge of counseling, behavioral interventions, and therapeutic practices within school settings.
• Provides high-quality supervision, feedback, and professional development to clinicians.
• Ensures all clinical services are delivered in compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards.

Leadership and Team Development

• Coaches and develops school-based clinicians to meet performance expectations and grow in their professional practice.
• Sets a culture of accountability, support, and continuous improvement.
• Models reflective practice and fosters resilience among team members in challenging school environments.
• Acts as a thought partner to both school leaders and clinicians in aligning clinical services to broader school goals.

Operational and Compliance Management

• Monitors clinician schedules, caseloads, and documentation to ensure compliance with IEP mandates.
• Oversees data accuracy, and timely service delivery.
• Partners with school teams to maintain strong compliance systems.

Collaboration and Communication

• Builds strong partnerships with APs of Student Services, principals, and instructional leaders.
• Serves as a bridge between academic priorities and clinical services, ensuring alignment.
• Communicates clearly and consistently with families, staff, and external partners.
• Supports crisis response and conflict resolution when needed.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise a team of school-based clinicians, providing coaching, evaluation, and ongoing professional development.
• Be physically present in schools at least three days per week to observe, support, and problem-solve alongside clinicians.
• Oversee and monitor the scheduling and delivery of mandated counseling services, ensuring compliance with IEP requirements.
• Support clinicians in maintaining accurate service logs and progress monitoring.
• Partner with school leaders to align clinical work with MTSS and school improvement priorities.
• Lead and facilitate professional development sessions on counseling, behavior, and mental health topics.
• Respond to and support school teams with crisis intervention and urgent student needs.
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends in service delivery, compliance, and student outcomes.
• Collaborate with the broader Student Support Services team to ensure cohesive, network-wide approaches.
• Serve as a liaison with families and outside agencies, ensuring wraparound supports for students.

Qualifications

Education & Licensure

• Master’s degree or higher in Social Work, Counseling, School Psychology, or a related clinical field.
• Current state licensure LCSW preferred that allows for providing clinical supervision to school-based clinicians.
• Certification in clinical supervision is strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of direct clinical experience in schools or child/adolescent mental health settings.
• At least 2 years of supervisory or leadership experience, ideally overseeing school-based clinicians.
• Demonstrated experience managing compliance with IEPs, mandated counseling services, and documentation requirements.
• Prior experience supporting crisis response and intervention in school or community settings.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary will range between $70,000 - $85,000 annually, commensurate with level of experience. Salaries are determined using an equitable compensation scale that accounts for years of experience and levels of attained education. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching
• Generous paid time off and additional employee benefits

Location & Work Arrangement

• Based in our Brooklyn, NY office
• Hybrid work schedule requiring in-office presence at least three days per week.
• In-person work expectations include network office time, stakeholder meetings, school visits, special events, and other role-specific responsibilities as determined by management.

Ascend is committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and anti-racist community through its hiring practices and focus on creating a culture and environment where diverse perspectives, ideas, and identities are valued and integrated into their approach to educating students. Ascend staff represent a wide diversity of racial, socio-economic, gender, religious, and national identities—opening a window to the entire Ascend community on the richness of humanity. Ascend Charter Schools welcomes all applicants who share their mission and vision.