SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR/SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER – DISTRICT WIDE

SUMMARY The Office of Student Support Services’ Behavioral Health Department is responsible for supporting the behavioral health needs of students within Lawrence Public Schools. The Behavior Intervention and Support Team is composed of School Adjustment Counselors, Licensed Independent Social Workers, Licensed Certified Social Workers, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and the district’s Lead Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). This team assists in implementing Tier 3 interventions for students and building capacity with school based staff, district wide. The School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker will support students (PK-12) struggling with emotional and/or behavioral regulation while building capacity in our educators by modeling techniques and documenting beneficial pre-requisite strategies for working with these students. These students will be referred through the school-based Response to Instruction and Intervention (RtII) Team through a period of data collection. School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker in this team will review the RtII module documentation along with the reports and recommendations made. The School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker in this team will provide necessary family, agency, and school outreach necessary to support student regulation and improvement, within a limited time frame, to build capacity and skills at the school based level. Through collaboration of multiple disciplines within the school system and in the community, the School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker will implement and support created strategies in order to promote students’ positive school adjustment and overall well-being. Lawrence Public Schools seeks an exceptional SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR/SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER who is highly qualified and knowledgeable to support the implementation of a variety of behavioral health supports that include trauma, healing, and resiliency focused school social work/counseling services that support students and educator to create conditions wherein students may achieve their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally. DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS POSITION INCLUDE: • Identify and assess functions of behavior to implement interventions • Track and maintain data related to school partners and the services that they provide. • Will travel to different schools across the district based on referrals. • Provide mental health, behavioral and academic support to students grades PK-12 • Provide de-escalation and crisis intervention services • Willingness to be Safety Care certified or current Safety Care certified • Provide consultation and support for faculty & staff to meet the needs of identified students, including managing student referrals from special education meetings • Support student re-entry and transition from outside placements and hospitalizations as needed. • Assist school leadership to assess and address student needs. • Consult with school leadership and other disciplines regarding student behavior concerns and develop and facilitate the implementation of behavior plans as needed that meets the needs of the whole student (academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs). • Assist in the development of a Response to Intervention and Instruction model for the school to include both in-school and community supports and interventions, to address academic, social, emotional, and behavioral learning. Counselors serve as members on building assistance/support teams, which meet to share information and develop strategies to meet the specific needs of individual students. • Support students plan for, adjust to, and develop skills for successful transitions in school, between grades/levels, and post-secondary. • Attend weekly meetings and professional development activities as required. • Additional duties as assigned by the Director of Behavioral Health and the Office of Student Support Services. QUALIFICATIONS: • Three to five years of experience as a School Adjustment Counselor or School Social Worker preferred • Three to Five years experience in the area of mental health/clinical social work practice. • Clinical experience with students experiencing social, emotional, or behavioral issues. • Professional clinical experience with urban children and their families preferred. • Experience in designing and implementing positive behavioral intervention supports and strategies, social/emotional curriculum, behavior improvement programs and clinical support to students and families. • Knowledge of tiered systems of support including the delivery of Tier 1 SEL Curriculum and supports. • Familiarity with the state and federal legal regulations governing special education, Section 504 and Section 51A • Proven organizational skills • Strong interpersonal skills to work with school, students, parents and community based agencies. • Demonstrated communication skills • Experience in and demonstrated ability to handle multitude of varying and complex issues • Experience working on a team • Understanding of the impact of trauma on student learning and social emotional functioning. • Understanding of behavior management techniques and methods including data collection, functional behavioral assessments, and implementing behavioral intervention plans if necessary. • Demonstrated cultural proficiency and deep sense of cultural humility and self-awareness. • MA DESE Educator Licensure – School Adjustment Counselor or School Social Worker • Licensed or eligible for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW). • Understanding of special education regulations and laws • Master’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferred. Evidence of specific professional study in the field of counseling, guidance, social work, psychology, or related field • Ability to speak Spanish strongly preferred. • Current authorization to work in the United States.