School Social Worker

Essential Job Functions:

• Serves as a liaison between home and school and provides feedback to all parties concerning attendance and academic performance by providing information and support to enable parents to participate in their child’s education. 

• Identifies contacts and works with outside community resources as necessary:  including, Department of Social Services, Juvenile Probation and Juvenile and Domestic Court, and Mental Health Center. 

• Collects and analyzes sociological data for exceptional education, including home information, developmental and health information, school history, family living conditions and family dynamics. 

• Consults with parents, teachers, students, administrators and staff to offer the most appropriate educational environment and services for students. 

• Assists in screening students for exceptional education and prepares and presents sociological reports concerning eligibility for services. 

• Provides outreach and in-home intervention services for families and students. 

• Handles crisis situations including illness, death, abuse and student threats of violence. 

• Develops, coordinates and monitors various service programs for students and staff; provides training for staff, parents and students. 

• Provides individual and group counseling for students. 

• Implements attendance policies and laws; works with other staff involved with student attendance  (Serves as a liaison between home and school and provides feedback to all parties concerning attendance problems, school performance and solutions.  Identifies, contacts and works with outside community resources as necessary, including Department of Social Services, Juvenile Probation and Courts and the Case Consultation Team).

• Serves as a liaison between the home and school and community agencies by researching and coordinating community resources in addressing the needs of students and families.

• Demonstrates commitment to improving professional competence.

• Assesses student learning on an ongoing basis and alters instruction to meet group/individual needs.

• Uses the curriculum of the district to plan daily instructional activities. 

• May perform other duties as assigned.

Budgetary Responsibility:  

N/A

Report Preparation:

Prepares Sociological Assessments and reports as part of IDEA.

Equipment Operation:

Uses the office computer for reports, data collection and correspondence.  Uses other media equipment for presentations.

Contacts:

Principals, Assistant Principals Administrators of Special Education on a consistent basis for consultation.  Student Services personnel, teachers, staff and parents on a consistent basis.  Public agencies representatives on a regular basis for collaboration of services delivery for students.

Work Direction:  

N/A

Supervision:

Supervises School Social Work Interns as appropriate.

Decision Making:

Makes independent decisions related to attendance procedures, residency, homeless and social work services, with the Supervisor of School Social Work Services.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, handle or feel objects, printed materials and/or controls and talk and hear.  The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit and drive.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs work in various locations within the public school system.  Frequent travel within the school division is required.  Work may require transport of materials from location to location.  The noise level in the work environment is quiet to moderate.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and methodologies of school social work and human services delivery and administration. Considerable knowledge of human development and family dynamics.  Considerable knowledge of intervention techniques, learning theory, school organization.  Considerable knowledge of measurement, research and statistics.  Considerable knowledge of the federal and state laws and regulations related to pupil services programs.  Demonstrated ability in individual, group and crisis counseling.  Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.  Demonstrated ability in decision-making, problem analysis, conflict resolution and interpersonal relationships.