School Social Worker

Certified - Position - School Social Worker GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES Provide comprehensive school social work services to parents, students and school staff, addressing barriers that limit a student from receiving full benefit from their educational experience. Respond to referrals from school administration, parents, teachers, the Student Support Team, the Special Education Committee and others by providing direct services and by assisting families in accessing appropriate community resources. ESSENTIAL TASKS Serve on student support teams and special education committees at assigned schools in the division. Review student records to identify previous barriers and/or interventions. Conduct parent interviews to acquire socio-developmental information as needed for special education referrals. Analyze information gained through record reviews and interviews to determine environmental impacts and appropriate resource needs; integrate gained information into a written report and oral presentation. Attend and participate in Manifestation meetings. Interview students and parents to discuss issues related to non-attendance and develop a plan of action. Assist the school in following school board regulations for excessive absences and truancy; attend student support team meetings and court intervention. Develop and implement professional development training for educational staff and parents, as requested. Provide individual and/or group counseling in response to school-wide crises. Respond to referrals requesting verification of residence. Participate in professional development activities aimed at current trends and best practices for the provision of comprehensive school social work services. Conduct home visits as a method to access the family and conduct interviews in response to school referrals. Maintain an ongoing liaison with community agencies and other resources to meet student needs; refers parents and student to agencies when appropriate. Perform related work as required. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge and skills for direct and indirect intervention including: counseling on an individual, group, or family basis; consulting with administrators, teachers, parents, and other professionals about student problems and appropriate change strategies; and networking with school programs and community agencies to provide essential services for families and children; understanding of the knowledge, skills, and processes for effective casework practice; understanding of the school social work profession including associated laws (IDEA, ADA, compulsory attendance, etc.), ethical issues, professional issues and standards; foundations of school psychology; and the role and function of the school social worker; understanding of child development, psychopathology, social and environmental conditioning, cultural diversity and family systems. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE Required: Master of Social Work (MSW) from an accredited school of social work with a minimum of 60 graduate semester hours. Minimum of six graduate semester hours in education. Completed a supervised practicum or field experience of a minimum of 400 clock hours in an accredited school discharging the duties of a school social worker. School Social Worker or Visiting Teacher license. A comparable amount of training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Must have the use of sensory skills in order to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public using the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, handle or feel objects and controls. Frequent sitting, walking, bending, grasping, fingering, repetitive motion, reaching, and driving. Occasional standing, stooping, and crouching. Ability to lift up to 20 pounds frequently. Requires timely and regular adherence to established work schedules. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential tasks. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Possession of a valid driver's license. Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position. Virginia Beach City Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation/gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, disability, marital status, age, genetic information or veteran status in its programs and activities. (Reference: School Board Policies 2-33,4-4,4-6) #J-18808-Ljbffr