Practicum Intern Jobs in Castro Valley, CA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Program Supervisor, Social Work Internships

Department: Coaching

Reports to: Vice President, Programs

Date: July 2026

Pivotal supports young people in and from foster care to realize their educational and career goals and ensure their equitable access to opportunity. We envision a community in which every young person gets the education, career, and life they want for themselves. In support of this vision and mission, Pivotal provides highly individualized academic and career‑oriented services to current and former foster youth at the secondary and post‑secondary levels.Pivotal also works with community stakeholders to effect systemic change in the opportunities offered to scholars from the foster care system.

Pivotal is a dynamic, fast‑growing organization that challenges staff to reflect and grow to remain ever more responsive to our scholars, providing the highest quality services. Our approach is data‑driven and evidence‑based.

At Pivotal, we acknowledge and celebrate the power in diversity. Our collaborative culture promotes innovation and benefits our team, the scholars we serve, and our community as a whole. Pivotal is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

The Program Supervisor, Social Work Internships position oversees all aspects of Pivotal's internship program and provides supervision, training, and support to intern coaches. The role is responsible for program implementation, intern development, partner collaboration, and maintaining compliance with university and agency requirements. In addition, the position supports staff development through training coordination and contributes to key program administration functions across the organization. This position requires a Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) with at least two years of post‑graduate experience.

• Lead the planning, coordination, and ongoing development of Pivotal’s intern coaching program in alignment with organizational goals and scholar needs.
• Collaborate with Pivotal staff to support day‑to‑day program operations, cross‑program coordination, and related initiatives.
• Develop, update, and deliver the intern training manual and curriculum annually, incorporating feedback, evaluation outcomes, and program learnings.
• Monitor program checkpoints, timelines, participation, and outcomes to support effective implementation and continuous improvement.
• Provide program data, metrics, and written analysis to assess the effectiveness and impact of the scholar/intern relationship.
• Manage the annual intern recruitment process, including interviews conducted from January through June, and coordinate onboarding tasks in partnership with HR.

• Provide initial and ongoing training, coaching, and supervision to BASW and MSW interns in accordance with university and placement requirements.
• Facilitate regularly scheduled individual and group supervision, in collaboration with other Practicum Instructors as applicable.
• Support interns in building effective, professional, and developmentally appropriate relationships with scholars, including thoughtful initiation and closure of services.
• Review intern documentation, case notes, data tracking, and task completion to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and quality of service delivery.
• Provide ongoing feedback to interns and university liaisons through supervision, practicum visits, and required formal evaluations.
• Support interns in completing university placement assignments, tracking hours, and meeting all practicum‑related requirements.
• Address performance concerns proactively by partnering with the intern, direct supervisor, and university liaison to develop and implement an appropriate support plan.
• Respond to urgent intern needs by the end of the workday when received by phone, or within 24 hours when received by email; non‑urgent matters may be addressed during regular supervision meetings.

• Serve as a liaison with university partners, county partners, DFCS, county offices of education, and other external stakeholders to support strong and effective program partnerships.
• Collaborate with partners to uphold the integrity of Pivotal’s programs and ensure clear communication, timely follow‑up, and coordinated problem‑solving.
• Represent Pivotal at internal and external meetings, public forums, presentations, and partner‑facing discussions as needed.
• Support communication between Pivotal, partner agencies, interns, and university liaisons regarding intern placement, supervision, performance, and program expectations.

• Coordinate and manage program‑related training, including scheduling sessions, tracking participation, supporting communications, and ensuring timely delivery of required training.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for training‑related questions, requirements, schedules, and follow‑up.
• Develop and execute written communications related to Pivotal programs, training, and program operations.
• Support scholarship administration and other program‑related administrative tasks as needed.

• Uphold Pivotal’s mission, vision, values, and core practice model in all aspects of the role.
• Participate in weekly supervision with the Vice President, Programs.
• Attend program events and support organizational priorities as required.
• Report in accordance with California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting requirements.
• Recruit, onboard, and supervise a part‑time practicum instructor, if applicable.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of Pivotal.

PIVOTAL values a combination of education, experience, and training that demonstrates the ability to be a great fit for PIVOTAL and this role.

• Master's degree in Social Work (MSW) required, two years post‑graduation
• Knowledge of the foster care system
• Demonstrated commitment to educational equity
• Superior presentation, writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills

• Experience working directly with foster youth
• Experience supervising direct practice staff or social work interns
• Experience using data to guide direct practice work
• Knowledge of high school and Post‑Secondary education systems

• Demonstrated ability to hold staff to high standards and achieve measurable results
• Knowledge of special education and both the high school and Post‑Secondary system (community college and university)
• Ability and desire to relate to, and work with, a diverse scholar population.

• Position Type: Full‑time, exempt position
• Hiring Range: $86,500 to $96,710, based on experience and qualifications
• Medical Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision insurance with 100% employer‑covered premiums (depending on plan selection)
• Insurance Coverage: Life insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance
• Additional Benefits: Flexible Spending Account (FSA), commuter benefits, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% employer matching contribution
• Paid Time Off: 15 days of vacation accrual during the first year, with increased accrual based on tenure
• Paid Holidays: 12 paid holidays annually, plus a holiday break in December
• Family Support: Generous family leave and workplace accommodations available to eligible employees

This position is currently classified as hybrid and is subject to change as per PIVOTAL’s in‑office policy. Candidate is expected to work in the main San Jose office at least one day per week, with additional in‑office attendance as needed for meetings, events, or program needs. Candidate must have flexibility to work on‑site, remotely, or in a hybrid environment as needed. This position involves mandatory meetings at PIVOTAL’s main San Jose office and other various Bay Area locations for events or other needs.

This position will spend time sitting and using office equipment and computers.

The successful candidate will be required to have a full background check, comply with PIVOTAL’s COVID requirements as per current policy at the time of hire, and provide TB clearance.

This position includes some evening and weekend hours as required by supervisor.

Candidates will be required to transport scholars as needed and must maintain appropriate current driver’s insurance and participate in the DMV pull program.

All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non‑merit factors.