1.0 FTE METCO Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor

Position Title: 1.0 FTE METCO Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor

FLSA: Exempt

Reports to: Working with the Building Principal(s), working under the K-12 Director of METCO and Student Engagement

Terms of Employment: Benefits and salary in accordance with the LEA Unit A collective bargaining agreement.

April 28, 2025 start date. Unit A 24-25 Salary Range

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Functions as a collaborative Clinician
• Assess student needs and monitor progress through observations and data gathering
• Be available to all assigned Lexington Public Schools, students, their parents, and staff of said schools for consultation
• Assist teachers and students’ families through consultation, recommendations and/or implementing behavioral plans and/or intervention strategies
• Provides Direct Services, to promote and enhances the overall academic achievement of Boston resident students that strengthen home/school/community partnerships and alleviate barriers to learning
• Make referrals/recommendations for inner-city after school, summer or other programming
• Consult with teachers on cultural implications, classroom management, organizational structure and coping with challenging children
• Conduct home visits as needed to support and assess student and family needs
• Be available to students who wish to self refer, and will act on referrals received from staff and parents; conduct a basic assessment/screening of said student, classroom, and/or family and provide a written recommendation of assessment and needs to METCO Director and school referral
• Maintain a mindset that supports the social-emotional growth of all learners
• Provide crisis intervention, re-entry and transition support to students, families and staff in accordance with established LPS protocols
• Consult and collaborate with administrators, teacher, staff, families and community-based providers in support of students’ social-emotional needs
• Serve as referral source and provide resources to students, families and staff
• Conduct regular lunchtime check-ins with METCO students and new student orientation with Social Worker/Counselor at each school
• Provide caregiver workshops and staff training and student lessons on social-emotional topics
• Participate in a variety of teams and programs to identify student need and develop appropriate intervention plans, such as Professional Learning Communities, Student Support Teams, Child Study Teams, Mental Health Teams, Data Teams, Child Protection Teams, Section 504, Special Education, etc.
• Participate in professional learning to maintain current with counseling practices
• Participate in reentry for mental health and discipline/restorative justice
• Create and maintain student records, schedules, attendance, RTI interventions, etc. using electronic student information system
• Adhere to laws, policies, procedures and ethical standards of the field and contribute to a positive and safe school culture
• Serve as social-emotional representative to interdepartmental committees and teams to address school and district needs
• Support diversity, equity and inclusion for all students and families
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

BA required, MA in Social Work or Counseling preferred; Hold MA DESE licensure as a Social Worker/Adjustment Counselor; Strong interpersonal and communication skills; Knowledge of theoretical frameworks of intellectual, social, and emotional development; Familiarity with philosophy, principals, and practices in social work or counseling; Familiarity with mental health and emotional impairments including learning disorders affecting student achievement; Familiarity with prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in students; Experience with crisis management and intervention; Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders; Cultural competence in working with diverse populations

Physical Demands:

Must be willing and able to physically manage students if needed. Work is performed in an elementary school environment, subject to frequent interruptions, not subject to extremes of noise, temperature, odor, etc. Operates computer, printer, photocopier, scanner, and other office equipment. Work requires extended periods of sitting, reaching, typing, and mousing, which requires eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity. May occasionally require lifting and/or moving objects up to 25 pounds.

Experience and commitment to working in a racially and culturally diverse teaching and learning community.

Applicants for employment are considered without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, or military status.