What are the responsibilities and job description for the School Social Worker position at Artesia Public School District?
$5,000 RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE FOR CERTIFIED STAFF NEW TO APS
Student Loan Repayment Assistance
Teacherages Available-Limited number, first-come first-served basis
DATE POSTED: February 10, 2025
START DATE: August 4, 2025
184 Day Work Calendar
Job Description: School Social Worker
A School Social Worker plays a crucial role in supporting the emotional, social, and academic well-being of students by addressing issues that affect their performance and behavior at school.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree or Master’s Degree in Social Work (MSW) from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Licensure/Certification: State certification or licensure as a social worker including School Social Worker license required.
- Experience: Prior experience in school settings, child welfare, or mental health services preferred.
Reports to:
- School Principals, Director of Health & Wellness, Director of Special Education
Skills:
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Empathy, cultural competence, and the ability to work with diverse populations.
- Ability to work in high-stress, fast-paced environments.
- Conflict resolution and crisis management expertise.
- Good organizational ability.
- Good written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality regarding students, staff, parents, and school matters.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Student Support:
- Provide individual and group counseling to students facing social, emotional, or behavioral challenges.
- Assist students with issues such as bullying, mental health, family concerns, and academic pressures.
- Work with students to develop social skills, coping strategies, and conflict resolution techniques.
- Collaboration:
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and other school staff to create supportive learning environments.
- Work closely with parents/guardians to address students' needs and provide resources or referrals to external agencies when necessary.
- Coordinate with community services and agencies to access resources such as mental health services, housing, and legal aid.
- Crisis Intervention:
- Respond to and manage crisis situations, including child abuse, domestic violence, or mental health emergencies.
- Develop and implement intervention plans for at-risk students.
- Support students during critical transitions, such as changes in family dynamics or transfers to new schools.
- Policy Development:
- Work to see that students have access to necessary resources and services.
- Participate in the development of school policies and programs related to mental health student well-being.
- Promote awareness and education around mental health and substance abuse.
- Assessment and Documentation:
- Conduct assessments to determine the social, emotional, and academic needs of students.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of all interactions and interventions.
- Prepare reports for meetings, IEPs (Individualized Education Plans), and referrals to outside services.
- If licensed as LCSW, supervise/mentor colleagues and review notes, as necessary, for Medicaid billing purposes.
- Training and Workshops:
- Facilitate training sessions for teachers, staff, and parents on topics such as child development, behavior management, and emotional regulation.
- Organize workshops for students on topics like stress management, peer relationships, and self-esteem.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisors.
Physical Requirements:
- Mobility:
- Must be able to move around the school building(s) to meet with students, staff, and families.
- Travel between classrooms, offices, and community spaces (e.g., gym, cafeteria) may be required.
- Occasional off-campus home visits or attending meetings at external agencies or community centers may be necessary.
- Lifting/Carrying:
- May need to carry documents, laptops, and other resources (usually under 10 pounds).
- Standing/Sitting:
- May be required to sit or stand for extended periods while conducting counseling sessions, meetings, or classroom interventions.
- Flexible movement is needed between seated counseling and walking within the school.
- Hearing and Speaking:
- Must have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in person, over the phone, and through digital communication tools.
- Active listening skills are essential in counseling situations.
- Vision:
- Must be able to read printed materials, documents, and use computer screens for case documentation and student records management.
- Emotional Resilience:
- Must be able to manage stressful and emotionally charged situations, such as child protection issues or crisis intervention, while maintaining professional composure.
Work Environment:
- Setting: Primarily within a school environment (classrooms, counseling offices, staff meetings).
- Schedule: Regular school hours but may require flexibility for after-school meetings or emergency interventions.
- Interactions: Frequent contact with students, families, teachers, administrators, and community agencies.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY-Discrimination against an otherwise qualified individual with a disability or any individual by reason of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, or national origin is prohibited. Efforts will be made in recruitment and employment to ensure equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons. If due to a disability, you are currently unable to perform any of the job duties identified in this job description, advise the personnel department of that condition. The personnel department will make a determination whether a reasonable accommodation can be made in these job duties and procedures to address that disability.
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