Reno County School Social Worker

Position Title: School Social Worker

Status: Ten Month Contract – Benefit Eligible

Reports To: Reports to the RCEC Executive Director and Assistant Director

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Wage Determination: Determined by qualification and experience

Summary: School social workers use their training and skills to team with educators, parents and other supportive professionals to ensure that every child learns in a safe, healthy and support environment and assists students in reaching their educational potential.

Essential Functions

Students and School Personnel

• Provides related services to students under IDEA.
• Coordinates the functional behavioral assessments of students.
• Coordinates the development of behavior intervention plans.
• Participates as a team member in the comprehensive evaluation, review, and re-evaluation process.
• Consults with parents, teachers, administrators, and supporting agencies concerning the needs and abilities of students.
• Develops social or developmental histories on children with disabilities.
• Participates as a team member on students’ improvement teams and IEP teams.
• Assists teachers and parents in developing an appropriate individual education plan for students.
• Provides crisis intervention.
• Develops intervention strategies to increase academic success.
• Assists with conflict resolution and anger management.
• Helps children develop appropriate social interaction skills.
• Assists children in understanding and accepting self and others.
• Assists with the integration of special education students into the general education classroom.
• Assists in developing and implementing education programs for exceptional children.
• Duties as otherwise assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education which are consistent with the general requirements and qualifications of the position.
• Provides staff with essential information to better understand factors (cultural, societal, economic, familial, health, etc.) affecting student’s performance and behavior.
• Assess students with mental health concerns.
• Develops staff in-service training programs.
• Assists teachers with behavioral management.
• Provides assistance for families and students requiring multiple resources.

Parents, Family, and School-Community Liaison

• Interviews the family to assess problems affecting the child’s educational placement.
• Works with parents to facilitate their support in the children’s school adjustment.
• Assists with alleviating family stress to enable the child to function more effectively in school and community.
• Assists parents in accessing and utilizing school and community resources.
• Visits students’ homes when necessary.
• Transports parents/guardians to meetings/services when needed.
• Obtains and coordinates community resources to meet students’ needs.
• Helps school districts receive adequate support from social and mental health agencies.
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal relationships with others.
• Provides assistance for families and students requiring multiple resources.

Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practices

• Adheres to all district policies and procedures.
• Assists school personnel in following Kansas State Department of Education and federal guidelines for special education.
• Maintains regular attendance.
• Maintains confidentiality, appropriate records, and provides timely reports in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Works effectively with community organizations and outside agencies.
• Attends and participates in any team or service planning meetings necessary to gather information and concerns regarding the individual student’s behaviors.
• Demonstrates effective time management and performs multiple projects.
• Completes accurate, timely, and well-organized written reports documenting activities.
• Adheres to all district and RCEC health and safety policies including all precautions of the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.

Education and/or Experience:

• Current Kansas license on file.
• Free of any physical condition that would conflict with the health, safety, or welfare of the students.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Language Skills:
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Communicate in a manner consistent with professional standards of schools and the community.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires travel and a willingness to work in a variety of environments with a variety of people.

• Physical requirements included prolonged sitting, some stooping, kneeling, crouching and/or crawling.
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 lbs., occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.
• Significant fine finger dexterity.
• Freedom from any physical condition that would conflict with the health, safety, or welfare of the students.
• A valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance must be on file in the RCEC office.