Job Description:

The Social Worker reports to the Principal. The school social worker assists students with academic learning by providing strategic services that identify and address the social-emotional-environmental issues that interfere with the educational process. Working with parents/guardians, teachers, school principal/principal’s designee, and community based resources, the school social worker implements strategies that promote students’ positive school adjustment. The school social worker provides individual and group counseling services, mediation services, as well as counseling and referral services for families. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Culture, Ethics and Integrity

• Understands, communicates, and exemplifies the goals and vision of the organization and the Head of School’s Office.
• Contributes to and maintains the organization’s culture and identity, using the organization’s Core Values as a guide.
• Helps create an environment and culture that enables the organization to fulfill its mission by meeting and exceeding its annual and long-term goals by: conveying the school’s mission to all staff, motivating and providing staff with the resources required to improve performance, and holding staff accountable to performance.

Instructional Leadership

• To promote regular school attendance of students through on-going attendance monitoring at school, counseling with students and their parents, and consulting with school personnel regarding the effectiveness of the school’s attendance incentive plan.
• To provide direct counseling and/or consultation to students and families when students are experiencing school adjustment and/or attendance difficulties.
• To participate in IEP staffing and serve on the SAT team, which deal with the initial screening process, when indicated.
• Identifies and assesses academic problems through analysis of factors impinging on student adjustment including factors in the home, school, and community.
• Completes psychosocial assessments to assist in the determination of special education services.
• Maintains required clinical records and submits appropriate documents for statistical reports with adherence to program standards in school social work.

Strategic Planning 

• To function as a member of a multidisciplinary pupil appraisal team in the evaluation of certain children.
• Determines and implements appropriate therapeutic strategies to effect changes in behavioral - social interactions of students and their families.
• Provides staff consultation on behavioral-emotional-environmental issues affecting student participation in the learning process.
• Completes risk assessments on referred students.
• Completes functional behavior assessments on identified student

Resource Management

• To interpret school social work services to parents, teachers, principals, other school personnel, and the community.
• To plan, conduct, or assist with in-service training programs for school personnel.
• To provide parent workshops and/or training sessions in areas of communication, child management, and family/school related concerns.
• To serve as liaison between the school and the community agencies, through reciprocal referral arrangements, collaboration on cases, and assist families in obtaining and utilizing local resources.
• Serves on both school-based and system-wide committees to address educational issues, adjustment problems, safety issues, and program development for students.
• Conducts classroom meetings, psycho-educational social skills groups, and classroom presentations on identified areas of concern for the students.
• Locates and mobilizes community resources to support the educational program

Advocacy

To make home visits as indicated.

To facilitate communications between the home and the school by involving families in the educational process of their children and help school personnel understand family situations and problems which may affect school performance.

Other

To perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education & Experience

MSW and BCSW required. Certification by the State Department of Education as a Qualified School Social Worker; required for continued employment required. Capacity to meet the complex mental, emotional and physical demands of the job required. 2-3 Years School Social Work Experience preferred.

Skills

Knowledge of relevant technology. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong organizational ability and the ability to meet deadlines. Thinks and acts in ways that respect ethnic, cultural and language diversity. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe and Internet Applications. Strong organizational skills. Able to function as part of a team. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with parents, schools, community and office personnel. Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with callers and guest, attend to their requests in a timely and empathetic manner, and calmly handle several responsibilities at a time. Ability to work a flexible schedule with evening and weekend hours is required.

Work Conditions

Lift up to 65 lbs. Repetitive bending, stretching and stooping. Reaching above shoulder height, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the work day. Ability to climb up and down 3 flights of stairs. Have mobility required to ensure the safety of the students. Have visual and hearing capabilities that allow consistent supervision of students. Perform light duty cleaning.

Other Requirements

Valid Louisiana Driver’s License and Vehicle – to drive to sites related to the provision of school social work service required.

*Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.