26-27 - School Social Worker

School Social Worker

The job of the school social worker position is done for the purpose of providing support to the educational process with specific responsibility for implementing programs for the personal and emotional growth of students; collaborating with counselors, other professional staff, administrators, and outside agencies regarding individual student needs; and providing information on services available to eligible students and families; and ensuring operation in complaint with county, state and/or federal requirements.

Performance responsibilities include:

• Provide consultation to building administrators and teacher support teams on issues related to mental health.
• Provide social/emotional supports to students and/or their families who are experiencing social and emotional problems at school
• Assess student and family needs (e.g. financial, medical, parenting skills, mental health, etc.) for the purpose of developing and implementing individualized plans of services to support educational objectives.
• Teach self-advocacy skills to families (e.g. housing, health care, etc.) for the purpose of empowering students and their families to gain access to and effectively use community resources.
• Possess a working knowledge of community agencies and resources and coordinates activities with a variety of outside social services agencies, school sites, etc. (e.g. mental health, probation, medical, DFS, etc.) for the purpose of providing referrals for families and/or students.
• Provide case management services to students and/or their families; to encourage parental understanding of, and participation in, overcoming challenges to maximize the educational experience of students
• Serve as a liaison between home and school-Supports parental/guardian involvement in their child's education and facilitates effective communication between school and home
• Serve as a resource to students and parents to counseling services that will lead to increased student personal growth, self-understanding, and behavioral management
• Assist teachers, administrators, counselors, and nurses in the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect
• Coordinate with outside agencies, organizations, and institutions for the purpose of providing referrals for families and/or students.
• Maintain records (e.g. case files, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and complying with mandated requirements.
• Coordinate and facilitate district in-service training as requested and appropriate. Assist District and Building Administrators with needed staff development sessions for the purpose of training staff members in addressing student mental and behavioral health.
• Facilitate student groups on issues (e.g. divorce, grief, anger management, etc.) for the purpose of providing emotional support to help students maintain focus on educational achievement.
• Mediate conflicts between parents, teachers and/or students for the purpose of resolving issues that could impede student's success.
• Provide crisis intervention services as needed.
• Acquire professional knowledge of current developments in the field by attending seminars, workshops, professional meetings, and/or by conducting research
• Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills, knowledge, abilities include:

• Knowledge of social work principles, theories, methods, assessments, etc.
• Knowledge of differentiated instruction based on student learning styles.
• Knowledge of data information systems, data analysis, and the formulation of action plans.
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws regarding education and students.
• Knowledge and successful use of current research-based instruction, trauma informed, and behavioral strategies.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively with students, staff, and parents/guardians.
• Ability to use leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability and desire to work as a contributing member of a team.
• Ability to effectively coach and mentor educators.
• Ability to provide engaging research based professional development.
• Ability to interact and collaborate with staff, students and families in a professional manner.
• Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working extended hours; working with detailed information/data; and working with frequent interruptions.

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units may be required to perform the job's functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization's services.

The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: ability to lift 50 lbs, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 40% sitting, 30% walking, and 30% standing. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Terms of employment: 7 hours per day / 188 contracted days

Evaluation: Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on evaluation of classified personnel.