School Social Worker

Description of Duties:  Reporting to the Manager of Instructional Programs, the Social Worker performs specialized social work to enable students to achieve optimal learning in academic, social and emotional areas; provides appropriate counseling and/or preventive and direct services to individual students, groups of students, and families; serves as the school designee for mandated child abuse and neglect reports and the liaison between school and community agencies; systematically collects, analyzes, synthesizes, and interprets information needed to devise an appropriate plan of service for referred students and their families, and ensures effective communications with their families; develops and implements workshops; documents all contacts and activities; and ensures commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

        •       Works collaboratively with counselors to provide appropriate counseling and/or preventive and direct services to students, parents, and families when students demonstrate behaviors that interfere with their functioning in the school and their successful transition into society as independently functioning adults.

        •       Serves as a resource to team teachers and other student services personnel; suggests modes of intervention consistent with needs and developmental tasks.

        •       Serves as the designated school person for mandated child abuse and neglect reporting; monitors the subsequent action plan and serves as liaison with the judicial system and protective service agencies; and testifies in court when needed.

        •       Conducts pre-admission interviews and provides a diagnostic assessment of prospective students and their families; and makes recommendations regarding admissions and the need for internal and/or referral to external services.

        •       Recommends cases for services and/or consultation; provides family history/diagnostic assessment of the student's current functioning within the family, including medical, psychosocial, educational background, and recommendations; and maintains close working relationship with Student Health Services and consulting psychiatrist.

        •       Refers students and families to social agencies and other service organizations when necessary; and serves as an advocate for the student and a consultant to the agency in providing appropriate services for deaf individuals.

        •       Develops and implements workshops and in-service training programs to meet specific needs of students, parents, teachers, and staff.

        •       Thoroughly collaborates with school and residence education; develops preventive strategies for drugs and alcohol, suicide, adolescent sexuality, and sexual harassment, bullying and peer intimidation, abuse and neglect, and other issues as they arise.

        •       Collaborates with school staff on policies and procedures pertaining to student needs related to socio-emotional development and social work services.

        •       Assists in developing and sustaining a positive school climate and programs and establishing and maintaining the best possible environment for learning and personal growth.

        •       Responds to school crises and emergency situations; responds to crisis situations; and responds to situations in a timely manner.

        •       Participates in IEP and Student Review Team conferences as needed.

        •       Facilitates services for students who have financial needs.

        •       Provides field supervision for graduate social work training placements.

        •       Keeps abreast of developments and issues in social work and other related areas; and continues own personal professional development through participation in workshops, seminars, courses, in-service training, and reading.

Attends and participates in staff meetings and staff development activities.

        •       Establishes and maintains a positive and supportive working relationship with co-workers and supervisors.

        •       Shows a genuine commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning.

        •       Serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX; and commits to completing Title IX training and other compliance requirements on an annual basis.

VERY IMPORTANT

Applicants must exhibit the ability to communicate in American Sign Language (ASL) during the interview with the expectation of obtaining an American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI) rating of 3 or above within three years from date of hire. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess or be eligible to obtain Georgia Educator Certification

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess one or more of the following:

• Certified in School Social Work 
• ASL proficiency at 4 or above as measured by the American Sign Language Proficiency Interview (ASLPI)
• Computer literacy 
• Understanding of and experience working with the Deaf community 
• Experience in school setting environment
• Valid Georgia Driver’s License