School Social Worker (24/25)

General Definition of Work

The school social worker, under general supervision, performs professional work related to providing supportive services from a school social work perspective to students. It includes establishing home, community, and school linkages, supporting behavioral, social and emotional needs of students, providing counseling for students, consulting with teaching and administrative staff and reducing barriers that may prevent students from graduating.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Salary/Status

Teacher Pay Schedule/Full Time, 10 months

Reports To

Executive Director, Student Services

Place of Work

The normal place of work is on the premises used by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Charlotte- Mecklenburg Schools reserves the right to require you to work at such other place(s) as it may reasonably require from time to time.

Essential Functions

• Adhere to all state, federal, and local laws, policies, and procedures
• Assess student and family challenges and create work plans to support identified needs
• Utilize data to identify at risk students, recognize school trends and drive programmatic decision making
• Monitor effectiveness of interventions on student outcomes
• Contribute to identifying and intervening in student attendance concerns
• Collaborate with other support team members and school personnel to serve students from a multi-tiered perspective
• Recognize and focus on student strengths and utilizes them to develop and enhance leadership qualities in students
• Support students with suspected or confirmed mental health challenges by coordinating appropriate services with internal and external resources
• Demonstrate leadership by providing services that contribute to a positive school climate, advocating for positive changes in school policies and practices and being a model for ethical professional practice
• Facilitate relevant internal and external partnerships that support the school and district’s mission
• Provide professional development experiences to help staff better understand challenges students face that may interfere with academic success 
• Enhance the professional capacity of school personnel through consultation and support
• Embrace work with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural sensitivity  
• Complete social/developmental histories for students being evaluated for Exceptional Children’s Services
• Encourage parent engagement and explore ways to provide outreach to families and the surrounding school community
• Provide responsive crisis support services at the individual, school and district level when needed
• Document services provided via the required electronic system and reflect on practice to make necessary adjustments
• Attend required professional development opportunities as directed
• Perform related work as assigned or required

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of child development for students 
• Knowledge of the impact of mental health challenges, homelessness, poverty and medical problems on student achievement
• Thorough knowledge of evidence-based strategies
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional areas
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and strong attention to details
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex problems
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions
• Ability to utilize educational data for decision-making
• Ability to recommend appropriate strategies for social, emotional, mental and behavioral needs
• Ability to coordinate and facilitate professional development
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with an understanding of the adverse effect on students, parents and CMS when it is broken
• Ability to perform duties with an awareness of and adherence to all district requirements, policies and procedures
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, multitask, work independently, and meet deadlines
• Ability to set standards and measure production
• Ability to develop, plan and implement short and long range plans
• Ability to work effectively with individuals at all levels of the organization
• Ability to perceive the impact and implications of decisions
• Knowledge of computer systems and software used in functional areas

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work; Master’s degree preferred
• Two or more years of school social work experience preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Special Requirements

• NC Professional Educator’s License in school social work or ability to acquire within required time frame
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license or ability to provide own transportation
• Travel to school district buildings and professional meetings