Early Interventionist Social Worker/Counselor

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides counseling services to individual students and his/her family to alleviate juvenile delinquency problems and to facilitate the student/s adjustment to the school environment.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts or provides for social assessments, psycho social evaluations or social history evaluations for referred students.
• Develops, implements and coordinates social service treatment plans.
• Provides a variety of social services to address the wide range of needs of the student population through the use of referral, coordination and case management to facilitate the use of school and community resources.
• Provides crisis intervention services by identifying and assessing student/family needs and initiating and appropriate action plan.
• Provides counseling to students and families addressing identified difficulties with school adjustment by utilizing a variety of therapeutic techniques to promote better mental health and school functioning.
• Maintains working knowledge of community social service resources and assists students and families in developing skills to maximize the utilization of such resources. Works as a liaison between schools and these community agencies.
• Establishes and maintains contact with school personnel and members of multi disciplinary teams for the purpose of discussing the referred student=s needs and progress.
• Provides individual and group counseling/therapy sessions.
• Participates in parent/teacher conference upon request.
• Maintains case records, reports, and all necessary forms within established timelines in order to provide a continuity of service and program accountability.
• Maintains inventory of guidance materials.
• Organizes and conducts or arranges for in-service training for school personnel.
• Provides parent training in assessed area of need.
• Attends professional workshops and in-services for continuing professional growth.
• Discusses future high school requirements, training programs, and career plans with students and parents.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the principal. Because of the therapeutic nature of this position any duty involving disciplinary action may not be assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/HOURS WORKED:

• The Early Intervention Counselor/Social Worker is required to work the normal teacher work hours including a thirty (30) minutes duty free lunch at the assigned school site according to bargaining unit agreement, on a flexible schedule pre-determined at the beginning of school year by the principal, employee, and the program coordinator, work in an energy policy climate school setting.
• A permanent, private office space shall be provided.
• A telephone and answer machine are essential as is access to machine and other machines needed to fulfill work duties and responsibilities.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

• The Early Intervention Counselor/Social Worker must be able to Communicate in English, both oral and written; communicate in response to age and skill of student; communicate successfully and pleasantly with the public; accurately give and receive information via tele-communicaiton system; summarize records and provide written reports to the supervisor.

EQUIPMENT USED:

• The Early Intervention Counselor/Social Worker must be able to use a telephone, typewriter, micro-computer, facsimile machine, calculator, copy machine, printer, folding machine, intercom and P.A. system and other appropriate office machines.

PHYSICAL INVOLVEMENT:

• The Early Intervention Counselor/Social Worker must be able to stand, walk, reach, bend, lift up to ten (10) pounds, move materials and equipment, operate office equipment.

MENTAL INVOLVEMENT:

• The Early Intervention Counselor/Social Worker must be able to understand and interpret written and oral instructions; work independently with minimal supervision, maintain accurate records, have the ability to design and implement educational and behavioral interventions, interpret and adhere to all local, state, and federal guidelines relative to appropriate licensure.

HUMAN RELATIONS INVOLVEMENT:

• The Early Intervention Counselor/Social Worker must be able to work cooperatively and compatibly in a group setting, respond positively to supervision and to accept suggestions for improvement, function as a liaison between the school system, parent and/or outside agencies, students, and other publics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Masters degree in Social Worker with LCSW or working toward LCSW certification, and an ancillary certificate issued by the Louisiana Department of Education, Bureau of Certification.
• Valid Louisiana Elementary/Secondary certificate, a masters degree, and certification in Guidance and Counseling; and an ancillary certificate issued by the Louisiana Department of Education Bureau of Certification.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrate ability to work cooperatively with other professionals, students, and parents.
• Two (2) years of experience at the elementary/secondary level.
• One (1) year of occupational experience.

Compensation:

• JP Schools offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.  
• JP Schools also offers a competitive benefits package.