School Social Worker

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary:

The social worker's role is to enhance students' educational progress, to provide counseling, instruction, consultation, collaboration, assessments, and monitoring services for Bucks IU and/or district designated students, their families, and the staff who support them, and to help students benefit from their educational program. The services of the school social worker are delivered as part of a broader support team. School social workers address the social and psychological issues that can impede school success. Through counseling, crisis intervention, community resourcing, family engagement and prevention programs, school social workers help students overcome the difficulties in their lives, and as a result, increase the chance of success.

Essential Functions:

• Develop intervention plans consistent with curriculum, student needs, strengths, social and cognitive functioning, and cultural experiences
• Assist in the planning of therapeutic, remedial and behavioral modification activities provided by the educational agency
• Provide direct interventions to students, including individual and group modalities, and educational and informational programs;
• Provide supportive case work to children and their families, including parent education and self-advocacy
• Assist students and their families in gaining access to formal and informal community resources
• Consult with stakeholders to facilitate understanding of factors in a student's home, education agency and community that affect their educational experience
• Consult and collaborate with educational agency personnel, parents and community resources in areas that impact student learning (e.g. mental health, behavior management, school safety, diversity, crisis management, child abuse and neglect)
• Assist staff in collaborating with community agencies and organizations
• Work with individuals, groups and organizations to develop programs and systems that promote student welfare and achievement
• Promote collaboration among community health, mental health, and welfare service providers and facilitate greater access to these services for students
• Participate in interagency panels to assist effective integration of services to students

Other Duties: This position description does not express nor does it imply that the above duties are the only duties to be performed by the incumbent(s) in this position. Additional duties may be assigned by the Administrator of the department, as needed, to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.

Supervisory Responsibility: No direct supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This is a full-time, 193-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts. Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel: NA

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Level of Degree & Certification:

• • Master's Degree in Social Work required
  • Licensed Social Worker required
  • School Social Worker certification required

* Individuals who hold a PA license as a Social Worker (LSW) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with the Department of State OR hold a PA Home and School Visitor certificate with the Department of Education may apply for and receive a School Social Worker certificate if they satisfy the following requirements:

• • Are currently licensed through the PA Department of State as a LSW or LCSW;
  • Are currently employed by a local education agency (LEA) in the Commonwealth; and
  • Have completed at least one year of satisfactory service as a School Social Worker or other titled position providing social work0related services in a Commonwealth LEA within the prior two years.

After August 1, 2023, all persons employed as a School Social Worker must either (1) hold a valid, active PA School Social Worker Educational Specialist certificate or (2) have an emergency permit, be a LSW or LCSW, and be enrolled in a PDE-approved school social worker program.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with diverse learners
• Implement IEP's with fidelity
• Follow classroom schedule
• Direct support staff
• Ability to communicate effectively across a variety of team members including parents

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable): Citizenship or work authorization to work in the United States required.

EEO/AA/VEVRAA Employer: The Bucks IU is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Bucks IU does not discriminate on the basis of disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.